CINCINNATI, Ohio – Industrial hemp is making a comeback. The 2018 Farm Bill decriminalized hemp, leaving it up to the states to decide how to treat the species derived from Cannabis sativa.
- Hemp contains only .3 percent of THC
- Users cannot get high from using CBD which contains hemp
- Bill in the Ohio legislature could legalize hemp
In Ohio, hemp is illegal. It's still classified under marijuana laws making it illegal to grow and sell. But a bill introduced into the Ohio Senate this week takes aiming at legalizing the production, selling, and consuming of hemp legal.
Industrial hemp has been traced back to 10,000 years and is considered one of the earliest plants to be cultivated, according to various publications. It's origination may have come from the Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan.
Its history in the United States starts with George Washington. A number of Washington's diaries make reference to farming and using hemp. Washington pushed for hemp farming due to its common uses to make rope and fabric.
Over time, the use for hemp could be found in building materials, paper, lotions, oils, textiles, and a variety of other uses, but misconceptions, and perhaps politics, played a roll in it being made illegal in the U.S. In 1937, Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act placing financial burdens on people who used hemp in business dealings.
In 1942, hemp was widely used to support the military during World War II. It was used to make uniforms, rope, and canvas. The Midwest, and specifically Kentucky, were at the forefront of hemp production. Kentucky was one of the first states to get USDA approval for its plans following the 2018 Farm Bill passage that allowed states to produce and sell hemp.
All but nine states and the District of Columbia don't allow hemp production, including Ohio. Medically, hemp is used in CBD products such as oils and salves. It can be used to treat anxiety, sleep deprivation, inflammation, and other health issues. It doesn't require a prescription but persons wanting to use CBD should contact their doctor.
Limited research has found that hemp, and specifically CBD, has minimal side effects. The most common are drowsiness and diarrhea. Other factors can include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and other symptoms.
Hemp is not marijuana. You cannot get high from hemp as it only contains .3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Marijuana can have THC levels from 15 to 40 percent. Even taking high doses of CBD a person cannot get high.
If Ohio passes a bill legalizing hemp the state's agriculture department would have to submit a proposal to the USDA for approval. The use of hemp in Ohio would be overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.