The plant is almost magical, advocates say, with a range of applications from paper to medicine. So why is it illegal to grow?

As interest in industrial hemp has grown, so too has interest in hemp-centric production.

Every part of the hemp plant has great market value‒the seeds, stalks, leaves and hurd (the woody core of the stalk). Traditionally, Natives used hemp to make medicinal salve, fishing nets and clothing.

Could industrial hemp be the rotational crop of the future in the Midwest?

There’s a common misconception that’s been confusing people for decades: Hemp is marijuana.

There’s a common misconception that’s been confusing people for decades: Hemp is marijuana.

Both the federal government and various state governments have taken major steps forward in restarting an industry that has been in hibernation for almost a century.

Some people are trying to convince Idaho lawmakers to make it legal to grow industrial hemp in the state for research.

Some people are trying to convince Idaho lawmakers to make it legal to grow industrial hemp in the state for research.

Motorists do double-takes as they gawk at fields of cannabis plants flowering just outside Ashland, Oregon.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — History was made at the North Carolina-Tennessee border Friday night as the first permitted industrial hemp plants were trucked into the mountains.

There’s one piece of legislation that seems to be getting broad bipartisan support in Springfield.

There’s one piece of legislation that seems to be getting broad bipartisan support in Springfield.

Like marijuana, industrial hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but it does not have large concentrations of the compound that makes marijuana a high-inducing drug.

Like marijuana, industrial hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but it does not have large concentrations of the compound that makes marijuana a high-inducing drug.

EATON, N.Y. — For the first time in 80 years, a farm in New York State is legally growing cannabis.

EATON, N.Y. — For the first time in 80 years, a farm in New York State is legally growing cannabis.

The renewed interest in hemp comes as CBD extracts gain popularity even in places where medical marijuana isn't legal.

A goal of the Texas Hemp Industries Association, besides educating people on industrial hemp, is to encourage Texans to vote for the legalization of hemp farming in Texas.

A goal of the Texas Hemp Industries Association, besides educating people on industrial hemp, is to encourage Texans to vote for the legalization of hemp farming in Texas.

The United States Department of Agriculture needs to get more involved in creating solutions to the governmental problems of turning industrial hemp into a viable crop.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators who have resisted proposals to legalize marijuana for medical use are advancing a proposal aimed at making the state an industrial hemp powerhouse.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators who have resisted proposals to legalize marijuana for medical use are advancing a proposal aimed at making the state an industrial hemp powerhouse.

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - As the Kansas farm economy struggles farmers are considering anything that can help turn a profit, even if it means changing state law.

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - As the Kansas farm economy struggles farmers are considering anything that can help turn a profit, even if it means changing state law.

Three members of Kentucky’s U.S. Congressional delegation joined 16 other members of Congress in a letter Wednesday seeking clarification from federal agencies regarding industrial hemp guidelines.

Kentucky officials are expecting a significant jump in hemp cultivation during 2017.

Kentucky officials are expecting a significant jump in hemp cultivation during 2017.

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill to update state law governing hemp production.

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill to update state law governing hemp production.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Crews at Farmington harvested the property’s first hemp crop in more than 150 years.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Crews at Farmington harvested the property’s first hemp crop in more than 150 years.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers want to help Wisconsin's once-dominant hemp industry make a comeback, giving farmers the chance to add a versatile and hardy plant to their fields.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers want to help Wisconsin's once-dominant hemp industry make a comeback, giving farmers the chance to add a versatile and hardy plant to their fields.

Three members of Kentucky’s U.S. Congressional delegation joined 16 other members of Congress in a letter Wednesday seeking clarification from federal agencies regarding industrial hemp guidelines.

The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed yet another bill that would legalize research on industrial hemp.

The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed yet another bill that would legalize research on industrial hemp.

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A bill to create a research program for the industrial production of hemp in New Mexico heads to the Governor’s desk.

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A bill to create a research program for the industrial production of hemp in New Mexico heads to the Governor’s desk.

Though New Mexico is in the minority of states that does not allow legal hemp production, one religious Taos nonprofit is harvesting a hemp crop to up the supply of seeds for its sacramental growers.

Though New Mexico is in the minority of states that does not allow legal hemp production, one religious Taos nonprofit is harvesting a hemp crop to up the supply of seeds for its sacramental growers.

ASHEBORO — City officials approved a zoning permit for what may be the first hemp food processing plant in North Carolina.

ASHEBORO — City officials approved a zoning permit for what may be the first hemp food processing plant in North Carolina.

RALEIGH -  The state commission charged with fostering an industrial hemp industry in North Carolina is considering joining a lawsuit against a government agency that it agrees is making things difficult: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

RALEIGH -  The state commission charged with fostering an industrial hemp industry in North Carolina is considering joining a lawsuit against a government agency that it agrees is making things difficult: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

After a successful first year growing industrial hemp, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking producers for year two.

After a successful first year growing industrial hemp, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking producers for year two.

After trying their hand at the crop, some North Dakota producers want to grow more.

After trying their hand at the crop, some North Dakota producers want to grow more.

BISMARCK — The 2014 Farm Bill allowed for universities and state departments of agriculture to create pilot programs for the growing of industrial hemp. But it didn’t change the Controlled Substances Act or make hemp completely legal.