Understand Industrial Hemp

With hundreds of applications ranging from clothing, carpeting, and building insulation to biodegradable food containers and paints, industrial hemp that is grown for grain and fiber (the focus of this Engine) adds economic value to hemp’s medicinal uses.​ Capturing this value requires regulatory frameworks that distinguish between medicinal and industrial hemp crops, which will enable farmers to grow industrial hemp like other commodity crops, such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. The American Hemp Association and other organizations have been working towards this end, and legislation is currently pending. Visit the PA Hemp Steering Committee website to learn more about the differences between industrial hemp grown for grain and fiber vs. floral hemp grown for cannabinoids and medicine. Penn State Extension provides additional educational information. 

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