What is Hemp?
Quick answer: Industrial hemp is Cannabis sativa L. grown under license for fiber, grain, seed, and lawful ingredients. In the United States, production operates under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with USDA oversight and approved state or tribal hemp plans, including sampling and disposal rules for crops that exceed allowable THC limits. Hemp.com provides independent education and industry news—not legal, medical, or investment advice.
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Industrial hemp supports materials (textiles, biocomposites, construction), food ingredients from seed, and other lawful products—including hemp-derived cannabinoids where regulations permit. New to the topic? Read hemp vs. marijuana vs. CBD, explore CBD basics, and browse uses of hemp.
What is Hemp?
Hemp, the low THC variety of the Cannabis Sativa L. plant, distinguishes itself from cannabis and marijuana. Learn more about the differences on our hemp vs. marijuana page. Cultures have cultivated hemp for industrial purposes for over 12,000 years. The fiber, seeds, and oil (including hemp-derived CBD) offer invaluable uses like clothing, medicines, foods, fuels, and materials for building. With its hardiness and rapid growth, industrial hemp earns its title as the most useful plant on the planet.
Why isn’t industrial hemp a prominent staple of the global and domestic economy?
Hemp.com, Inc. endeavors to change this reality through collaborative education regarding why this vital plant was outlawed.
History of Hemp
Hemp’s rich history, nearly as old as human civilization itself, saw it used for manufacturing rope, canvas, paper, and clothing. Ancient civilizations also utilized hemp for food, medicine, and artistic endeavors.
The history of hemp in the United States includes early legislation mandating certain farmers to grow this beneficial plant. It’s surprising that such an essential resource became illegal to grow domestically. Consequently, China became the largest hemp producer, with countries like Australia and Canada catching up.
Hemp’s Legal Status
Legal ambiguity surrounding industrial hemp previously allowed certain products to be sold but not grown in the United States due to the marijuana prohibition act. The passage of the Farm Bill changed this, legalizing hemp cultivation at the federal level, with states now empowered to determine their hemp policies. Colorado played a significant role in this legislative shift, revitalizing industrial hemp production. Now, hemp seed oils, CBD resins, hemp plastics, hemp building materials, and numerous hemp fiber products are readily available.
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Frequently asked questions
What is industrial hemp?
Industrial hemp is cannabis cultivated for commercial outputs like fiber and grain under licensing programs. Compliance typically depends on THC testing and the rules of the USDA and the producer’s state or tribe.
Is hemp legal to grow in the United States?
Yes—hemp production is authorized under federal law with regulatory requirements. Growers follow USDA rules and an approved state or tribal plan (or the USDA federal plan in certain cases), including sampling and remediation or disposal when crops are non-compliant.
What is hemp used for?
Major categories include fiber and textiles, construction materials (including hemp-lime assemblies), seed-based foods and oils, and specialty ingredients where law allows—plus evolving industrial applications in composites and packaging.
How is hemp different from marijuana?
The distinction is primarily legal and chemical: hemp programs regulate low-THC production for defined uses, while marijuana programs cover different regulatory frameworks. See our detailed comparison.
Where can I learn about hemp farming rules?
Begin with USDA hemp production and the 2018 Farm Bill overview, then use growing hemp for field-level guides.
Learn more at the Hemp University It can be used for more than you think! Check out our Quick Facts Check out some very fun facts about the plant!U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program
The U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program establishes federal regulatory oversight of the production of hemp in the United States. The program authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp and establishes a federal plan for producers in states or territories of Indian tribes that choose not to administer a State or Tribe-specific plan provided also that the state or Tribe does not ban hemp production. This is following the 2018 Farm Bill that clarified the rules around industrial hemp.
Continue reading for information about hemp production plans, guidelines for sampling and testing procedures, disposing of plants not meeting necessary requirements and licensing requirements. Read US Hemp Production to learn more.
History of Hemp
Hemp was a prominent crop in the United States until 1937, when the Marihuana Tax Act virtually obliterated the American hemp industry. During World War II, the crop saw a resurgence in the U.S., as it was used extensively to make military items including uniforms, canvas, and rope. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) even released a short documentary, “Hemp for Victory,” in 1942, which promoted the plant as a useful crop for the war cause.
The World War II hemp resurgence was short-lived, though. Until the passing of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 kept industrial production dormant. Today, hemp is rapidly becoming an indispensable resource for CBD oil and other CBD products.
Learn more, check out the history of hemp pages