by Ray Hansen, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, hansenr@iastate.edu.
Profile updated December 2007 by Vikram Koundinya, graduate student, Iowa State University.
Overview
Currently, U.S. legislation makes it illegal to commercially raise industrial hemp. However, numerous state and national initiatives are working to return industrial hemp production to the United States, where it once was a major crop touted for its economical role in building a strong rural economy in our developing country. Fiber and food uses for industrial hemp are growing rapidly and have increased over 300 percent in just the past few years. Much of that growth is coming from the increased sales of hemp food products, which in 2004 had a 50 percent increase in sales.
History
Used in sails, riggings, canvas, ropes, clothing and paper, hemp was the most important non-food crop in the country’s early history. Its diverse uses made it a required crop, not only for a farmer’s existence, but the country’s existence. The introduction of synthetics all but eliminated the use of hemp during the Industrial Revolution.
Throughout the agricultural and industrial revolutions, hemp use slowly declined. New manufacturing technologies, crop diversification, increased wood products usage and the development of synthetics all aided in the decline of hemp production. As hemp’s use declined, so did the loyalty to the crop. This decline allowed for even more confusion between the values of industrial hemp versus the problems associated with its similarity to marijuana.
Domestic opposition raised in the 1950s to a point that anti-drug legislation made it illegal to raise any cannabis plant varieties. This total eradication of the crop was designed to improve drug enforcement of illegal marijuana production. During this time, all hemp became classified as a "drug" under the Controlled Substance Act and subsequently placed control of hemp production under the control of Drug Enforcement Agencies (DEA) rather than the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Hemp and Marijuana
The confusion between industrial hemp and marijuana is based on the visual similarities of widely differentiated varieties of plants. By definition, industrial hemp is high in fiber and low in active tetrahydrocannabinal (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that makes some cannabis varieties a valued drug. Canadian and European Union regulations commonly require THC levels of less than 0.3 percent for industrial hemp, compared to marijuana levels typically between 3 to 15 percent THC.
Most pro-hemp initiatives in the United States are now focused on defining and distinguishing between industrial hemp and marijuana. Additional pro-hemp supports would like to move the control of U.S. hemp production from the DEA to the USDA. Proponents of legalizing hemp also argue that new technology to distinguish THC levels both in the field and from the air will allow for adequate production enforcement.
Hemp Fiber and Food Products
Hemp proponents now tout it as a renewable powerhouse industry for fiber and food. As a fiber source, hemp is experiencing rapid growth for use as natural fibers in everything from clothing and textiles to automotive composites. The fiber is also gaining favor as an insulate. It continues to grow traditional markets as building material composites, paper and bedding materials. Fiber markets consisting of yarn and fabric exceeds a $14 million base, and the retail clothing market is estimated in excess of $80 million. The industrial fiber market is expected to see double digit gains in sales over the next several years.
As a food ingredient, hemp has a unique oil profile and is gaining much attention as a food additive because of its relatively high levels of unsaturated fatty acids--Omega 3 and Omega 6. Hemp oils are also gaining favor in the health care market because the significant amounts of fatty acids make them ideal for body lotions and moisturizers. In addition, hemp seeds have marketable protein and fiber profiles that add to its overall profitability.
According to the Hemp Industries Association, the domestic market for hemp-based food products in 2004 was over 12 million dollars. The retail health care market, including lotions and oils, is estimated to sell over $30 million worth of hemp products in the United States annually.
U.S. Status of Hemp Production
In 2002, Hawaii became the first state to reopen licensing for research production of hemp under strict regulatory oversight. Since than, 23 states have introduced legislative language to open a dialogue that may pave the way for eventual re-introduction of hemp production to their agriculture crop rotations. Of those states, 14 have passed some level of policy resolutions to further advance the issue. Five additional states have joined Hawaii in reducing the barriers to production of hemp at research levels. Nationally, legislative efforts continue in hopes of changing federal policies restricting the industrial hemp industry.
World Status of Hemp Production
Worldwide research and development has sparked an increase in new, innovative uses for hemp. In sharp contrast to the United States’ elimination of the crop, some 30 countries worldwide have continued to grow and process industrial hemp. World leaders of hemp production include Canada, Germany, England and France. According to the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA), Canada's production of hemp has increased from 4,000 acres in 2002 to over 24,000 acres in 2005.
Profile prepared December 2005 and updated December 2007.