In the near future, Vermont farmers will have new opportunities for agricultural diversity. Without signing it, Governor Jim Douglas has allowed a bill which lets farms plant industrial hemp crops become a law. But those who promote the vibrant, expanding business of hemp still need patience.

Hemp and marijuana are both considered the same plant so according to Federal law, they are both illegal. Lawmakers believe eventual change is probable for this policy. Change in this policy will most likely be an eventuality, most lawmakers believe. Proponents of hemp believe that it has great potential in many areas including cosmetics, clothing, and food production. The Agriculture Agency is prepared to change even more after these new laws are passed.

Corn production in Vermont is far less than in the Midwest, totaling only 90,000 acres each year, but that does not mean that Vermont can survive without good rotation crops. Candle making and dairy farming are two areas of commercial concern in Vermont that would profit from the growing of hemp. Once considered a very small time market, products made from Hemp are quickly becoming a mainstream market. A yearly average of 16,500 acres of hemp is produced for use in consumable food products by farmers in Canada. Vermont could not only pursue this market, but could also provide hemp as cheap bedding for its significant cattle industry.

Because of hemps ties to marijuana, law enforcement opposes the bill. The Governor also stated that the relation between hemp and marijuana was a part of the reason as to why he did not support the bill. The task of the Agriculture Agency is to write the regulations for hemp cultivation that will enable farmers to get their licenses as soon as the new law goes into effect. This state, and North Dakota, are the only two that have put this into effect. At present, Canada and many other countries are growing hemp legally. Hemp cultivation and production were banned by law in America in 1937, although it’s interesting to note that exceptions were made for hemp farming for certain industries during World War 2.