Marijuana Business Magazine November December 2018

CANNABUS¬NESS BY THE NUMBERS Industrial Hemp Cultivation Surging in the United States By Eli McVey H emp cultivation in the United States is on the rise, driven by the growing number of states authorizing production of the plant, increased output among states with existing hemp programs and booming demand for CBD. While full-fledged hemp cultivation remains illegal at the federal level for now – the crop cannot be grown in a state that has not established a hemp pilot program – more states are choosing to establish their own hemp cultivation programs as lawmakers and consumers better understand the differences between hemp and marijuana. The sale of industrial hemp and its byproducts, however, is allowed in all 50 states. Consumer demand for CBD – a cannabinoid that can be extracted from either marijuana or hemp flower – has skyrocketed in recent years, greatly expanding the market for industrial hemp and providing more opportunities for growers, processors and retailers in the hemp industry. Here’s a look at some figures tied to U.S. hemp production in 2017: 39,971 Total acres registered for industrial hemp production in 2017 with each participating state’s agriculture department. That represents a 143% increase over the 16,417 registered acres for industrial hemp in 2016. 41 Number of states that have passed legislation related to industrial hemp cultivation. 26,217 Estimated number of acres where industrial hemp was planted in 2017, accounting for roughly 66% of all acres authorized for hemp production. 38% Colorado’s share of total registered acres of hemp planted in the United States in 2017. Sources: Marijuana Business Daily, Vote Hemp 34 • Marijuana Business Magazine • November/December 2018