The number of hemp acres in the United States has tripled, increasing to 78,176 acres in 2018 from 25,713 acres in 2017, according to a crop report from Washington-based Vote Hemp, a hemp advocacy organization. Hemp was grown in 23 US states in 2018, with Montana and Colorado leading the way.
The natural foods industry is one of the fastest growing categories for hemp use as it contains omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, fiber protein, vitamin E and iron, according to Vote Hemp. Aside from food and beverages, other potential uses for hemp include packaging materials and textiles.
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the farm bill, cleared the way for the cultivation, production or commercial activity in the USA for products that contain hemp or constituents of hemp.
Did you know?
Hemp has 0.3% or less of the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (T.H.C.) found in Cannabis, which means it doesn’t induce a ‘high’.
