Industrial hemp is the only crop that is illegal to grow but legal to buy in the United States. It's uses in manufacturing and health products is myriad, from a replacement for the environmentally dangerous fiberglass to use in foods and supplements because of it's fatty acid profile. Additionally, hemp is a fast-growing, high-yield plant that can combat carbon pollution. It would also be very helpful as a rotation crop.

Congressman Ron Paul is working to lift the restrictions on growing hemp in the United States but he says passage of a bill faces an uphill climb because of the stigma of hemp's relation to marijuana. It is yet another area where progress is being held back because of the tension between science and political posturing. Even the report  below does an editorial disservice to the issue by wrapping the report in references to the evil weed!