Hemp has been a part of human history for thousands of years, but its legal status has changed drastically over the past century. In 1937, the United States passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which effectively banned hemp production across the country. This ban was reinforced by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which declared hemp an illegal substance. However, in recent years, hemp has been making a comeback in the United States.
Two weeks ago, North Carolina passed a bill that would legalize industrial hemp production in the state. So why was hemp banned in the first place? The answer lies in its close relationship with marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the cannabis plant, and they look and smell very similar. However, hemp contains much lower levels of THC than marijuana, so it does not produce the same psychoactive effects.
Despite this difference, hemp was declared illegal because it was guilty by association with its identical twin. The ban on hemp has had a significant impact on human history. Before 1850, all ships sailing in the western seas were equipped with hemp ropes and sails. Hemp oil was also used as an industrial lubricant and for medicinal purposes.
In addition, hemp is an incredibly versatile plant that can be used to make paper, clothing, bioplastics, biofuel, and more. Fortunately, the federal government has taken steps to legalize hemp production in recent years. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances and allowed states to create their own pilot programs for studying and producing hemp. However, there are still restrictions on hemp production in the United States.
Hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC, and it must be grown according to state regulations. In addition, products made from hemp cannot be transferred across state borders for commercial or other purposes. Hemp has been a part of human history for thousands of years, but its legal status has changed drastically over the past century. Despite its many uses and benefits, it was declared illegal because it was guilty by association with marijuana. Fortunately, recent federal legislation has allowed states to create their own pilot programs for studying and producing hemp.
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