Can I Grow Hemp in My Backyard?

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Hemp is a sustainable crop that can be grown in many climates and environments. It’s also one of the most versatile crops on the planet, with tons of uses: it can be used as food, fuel, clothing, medicine, and more! 

The hemp plant has been around for thousands of years; it was actually one of the first plants to ever be cultivated by humans – but because hemp comes from cannabis Sativa (also known as marijuana). It has since become illegal to grow in some places. But what if you want to try growing some at home? 

In this blog post, we’ll look at your options for growing hemp in your backyard or garden.

Growing hemp in the United States is 100% legal but you need to comply with state and federal law. The laws overs growing hemp is managed by your state’s agriculture department. It is unlikely that you will be able to grow hemp in your backyard but this will be determined by your state’s agriculture department.

Differences Between Hemp vs. Marijuana

Hemp is a plant with many of the same uses as marijuana but it contains much lower levels of THC. 

This makes hemp plants illegal to grow in some states because they can be used for drug production and other illicit purposes. Those are not permitted by law, while still being legal on federal land if you have your state’s permission! 

Hemp has been used by humans for over ten thousand years and is one of the oldest known crops in history.

The primary difference between hemp vs marijuana can be found with their use as a drug. But there are other differences that make each plant unique:

Hemp plants contain very low levels of THC (less than 0 .03%). Which makes it impossible to get high off of it. THC is a psychoactive compound. This means that the user would need to smoke large quantities in order for there to be enough present to create an effect like marijuana provides (THC).

Hemp plants contain very low levels of CBD .06% or less. While cannabis contains more than ten times as much! 

This makes hemp plants a poor choice for medical users or anyone who is looking to experience any of the benefits that CBD has been known to provide. 

Hemp’s low-level THC content also makes it difficult. If not impossible in some cases for someone without high tolerance levels. Or an addiction disorder from becoming intoxicated off hemp alone and having no other cannabis available.

No, hemp plants can’t be grown in your backyard legally because they contain THC which is a psychoactive compound that must come from another cannabis plant such as marijuana. 

Where can hemp be grown legally?

A lot of places within the USA will not allow you to grow hemp but there are some areas where you can. 

This will be determined by your state’s agriculture department and the laws around growing hemp vary from one place to another.

Michigan is one of the more favorable places to grow hemp in America. Due largely because an active campaign was waged by a group called “Vote Hemp” that helped pass legislation. Legalizing industrial production and use for research purposes back in 2008. Paving the way not just over farming but also transportation within state lines as well.

The following three states are also considered more favorable to the growing hemp industry.

  • Colorado
  • Oregon
  • New York