Hemp initiatives in states from tiny Rhode Island in the east to expansive Washington state in the USA’s northwest are seeing advances as proponents of the crop see its potential to revive the farm sector and boost state tax coffers — sooner or later.

Hemp initiatives in states from tiny Rhode Island in the east to expansive Washington state in the USA’s northwest are seeing advances as proponents of the crop see its potential to revive the farm sector and boost state tax coffers — sooner or later.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With voters in several states deciding this fall whether to legalize the use of marijuana, public support for making it legal has reached 60% -- its highest level in Gallup's 47-year trend.

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf signs into a law a bill that allows the cultivation of industrial hemp in Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf signs into a law a bill that allows the cultivation of industrial hemp in Pennsylvania.

Farmers from throughout the state gained insight into Hawaii’s newest crop as the annual Hawaii Farmers Union United Convention kicked off Friday at OK Farms in Hilo.

Farmers from throughout the state gained insight into Hawaii’s newest crop as the annual Hawaii Farmers Union United Convention kicked off Friday at OK Farms in Hilo.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of industrial hemp are optimistic the crop has a future in a state known for sweeping fields of corn and soybeans.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of industrial hemp are optimistic the crop has a future in a state known for sweeping fields of corn and soybeans.

Hempcrete — a mixture of hemp stalk, water and lime — could pave the way toward a sustainable future.

Individuals interested in the hemp industry, science and policy can attend concurrent tracks in each area and a two-day scientific poster session and trade show.

Hemp was once a mainstay crop in Virginia, until it ended up being banished as part of the long U.S. war on drugs starting in the 1930s.

The prospect of growing industrial hemp for a living in Rowan County is apparently a hot topic.

The prospect of growing industrial hemp for a living in Rowan County is apparently a hot topic.

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado livestock could be eating hemp under a bill that passed the state Senate Tuesday.

31 states have passed legislation allowing hemp research or production.

Casinos on Native American land have poured billions into tribal economies since the late 1980s, lifting many people from poverty. Now, some hope, cultivating industrial hemp could do the same.

The growing of hemp was approved in Missouri in 2014.

The growing of hemp was approved in Missouri in 2014.

It’s been nearly a century in the making, but this May will bring with it the first legal planting of the versatile, valuable industrial hemp oilseed and fiber crop in Washington State in approximately 90 years.

It’s been nearly a century in the making, but this May will bring with it the first legal planting of the versatile, valuable industrial hemp oilseed and fiber crop in Washington State in approximately 90 years.

Though commercial marijuana became legal in Alaska in February 2015, hemp is not yet legal.

Though commercial marijuana became legal in Alaska in February 2015, hemp is not yet legal.

"It can be a billion-dollar crop if we wanted it to be," said Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industrial Council.

"It can be a billion-dollar crop if we wanted it to be," said Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industrial Council.

With a long list of uses and applications, industrial hemp holds tremendous profit potential for Kentucky farmers.

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.

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.

It calls for a pilot program through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

It calls for a pilot program through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

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.

Kentucky's Agriculture Commissioner is asking the federal government to reconsider its latest set of rules regarding industrial hemp.

Kentucky's Agriculture Commissioner is asking the federal government to reconsider its latest set of rules regarding industrial hemp.

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.

Hemp added to locally-produced meats shatters a barrier for a little-understood crop local farmers hope proves lucrative enough to secure a future for small, family-owned farms.

Kentucky is experimenting with industrial hemp – as dozens of farmers grow test plots covering 45-hundred acres.