Federal law treats hemp and marijuana as the same plant, making hemp just as illegal as cannabis. Lawmakers believe eventual change is probable for this policy. Change in this policy will most likely be an eventuality, most lawmakers believe. Those who wish to encourage the growing of hemp stress its significance in cosmetic, textile, and food industries. The Agriculture Agency is ready for further changes with the adoption of new legislation.



Although corn production is less in Vermont than in the Midwest, only producing 90,000 acres per year, it is still vitally necessary to continue with the practice of regular crop rotation. Candle making and dairy farming are two areas of commercial concern in Vermont that would profit from the growing of hemp. Although industrial hemp is currently a small market, it is quickly growing in the mainstream market. A yearly average of 16,500 acres of hemp is produced for use in consumable food products by farmers in Canada. Hemps other potential use in Vermont is affordable bedding for over 140,000 cows.

The bill was opposed by the Police Department, since hemp was considered too closely associated with marijuana. The governor states that the reason he did not sign the bill was the link between hemp and marijuana. The task of the Agriculture Agency is to write the regulations for hemp cultivation that will enable farmers to get their licenses as soon as the new law goes into effect. North Dakota is the other state who has done the same. Hemp is officially cultivated in Canada and many other countries at present. In 1937, growing hemp in the United States was banned although the suspension was lifted temporarily during World War II.