Hemp, one of the varieties of cannabis, was widely cultivated in the American colonies and in the independent United States till 1937, when it was prohibited. Even though it cannot be used as a psychoactive substance, unlike marijuana, certain prejudices, existing in modern society prevent people from seeing huge benefits associated with hemp. These benefits were recognized by our ancestors and prominent thinkers, such as Thomas Jefferson, who characterized hemp as “vastly desirable” (quoted in Fine, n.pag.). Other countries have already acknowledged the advantages of growing hemp and make enormous profits from the cultivation of this plant. For instance, in Canada, the hemp market approaches annual $1 billion, partly thanks to the American demand for hempseed oil. In 2014, the American government finally made hemp cultivation for research purposes legal. This decision may contribute to the revival of agriculture in the era of the climate change, because it needs less water to grow than wheat and gives four times more profit for farmers. Besides, hemp can be used for various purposes, as it already happens in many countries around the globe. US farmers can join this enormous market and compete with other producers of hemp. This process will be smoother and more beneficial for the American economy, if Drug Enforcement Administration stops to hinder import of hemp seeds to the American farmers, as it happens today, even though doing so the DEA violates the law (Fine, n.pag.). It is time to acknowledge the benefits that the cultivation of hemp can bring to the US agriculture and economy and abandon policies that impede farming practices in this area.
Work Cited:
Fine, Doug. “A tip for American farmers: Grow hemp, make money”. Los Angeles Times, 25 Jun. 2014. Web. 16 Jun. 2016.
