In the United States, The Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp kicked off the 8th annual Hemp History Week with events throughout the country.
The week aims to raise awareness about the environmental sustainability, health benefits, regenerative agriculture potential, and new technological applications of industrial hemp.
Events included a hemp farm tour and hemp luncheon at Pennsylvani’s Rodale Institute, where research projects are focusing on soil health, hemp as a weed-suppressing cover crop, and best agronomy practices.
Hemp History Week also advocates for comprehensive, free market legalization of industrial hemp cultivation, as well as the removal of industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. Thirty-three states have legalized industrial hemp farming: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.