Articles

Missouri has a long and storied history with the versatile crop known as hemp. In the early days of the state, hemp was one of the most important cash crops, second only to corn and similar grains. It was used to make rope, twine, paper, and a variety of other products. The state was even known as the "Hemp Capital of the World" at one point.

However, despite its importance to the state's economy, the cultivation of hemp in Missouri came to a sudden and abrupt end in the early 20th century. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of synthetic fibers and the federal government's war on drugs, which effectively banned the cultivation of marijuana and hemp in the United States.

For decades, Missouri farmers were forced to abandon their hemp fields and look for other crops to grow. Many turned to soybeans, cotton, and other crops, but the loss of the hemp industry was a significant blow to the state's agricultural economy.

In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in hemp as a cash crop in Missouri and other states. The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp cultivation on a federal level and has led to a resurgence of the industry. Missouri farmers are once again planting hemp, and the crop has the potential to be a major player in the state's agricultural economy once again.

The benefits of growing hemp are numerous, including the crop's low environmental impact, its ability to be grown on marginal land, and the fact that it requires very few inputs. Additionally, hemp can be used to produce a wide range of products, including textiles, food products, and even building materials.

The future of the hemp industry in Missouri looks bright, as the state's farmers are once again embracing this versatile crop. With the right policies in place, Missouri could once again become a major player in the hemp industry and an important provider of this sustainable, eco-friendly crop to the world.