Aaron Zimola smiles as he stands among the hemp twine that he sells at his shop, Happy Hempo, in Greeley.
Aaron Zimola pulls one of the hacky sacks from his inventory on Thursday at his shop, Happy Hempo, in Greeley. One of the things Zimola advocates for is the difference between hemp and marijuana.
Hemp seeds that are soon-to-be planted sit at Rick Trojan's farm, Colorado Cultivars, near Eaton. Farmers must be vigilant of the weather as planting season approaches for hemp, farmers often aim to have the crop planted by mid to late spring.
Hemp seeds that are soon-to-be planted sit at Rick Trojan's farm, Colorado Cultivars, near Eaton. Farmers must be vigilant of the weather as planting season approaches for hemp; farmers often aim to have the crop planted by mid to late spring.
Aaron Zimola holds one of the hemp bags that he plans to market while at his shop in Greeley. Zimola opened shop as Happy Hempo in 2013. The shop features a variety of hemp-based products.
1937 — The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 made recreational use of marijuana illegal, but industrial hemp was lumped in with marijuana, effectually adding hurdles to the importation and production of the crop.
1940s — The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched it's "Hemp for Victory" campaign, encouraging American farmers to produce hemp for military products, like cords and parachutes.
2012 — Colorado voters pass Amendment 64 and legalize marijuana. Amendment 64 did not provide for industrial hemp, but instructed the Colorado legisture to address the topic.
2014 — The Farm Bill of 2014, signed into law by President Barack Obama, includes a provision allowing states to conduct hemp research and cultivation.
2015 — The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015 is introduced in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, it is referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. In the House of Representatives, it is referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations. As of the time of publication, no further action had been taken on either bill.
Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, PBS, Federation of American Scientists, Kentucky General Assembly, Congress.gov, Duane Sinning and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
CBD products — CBD is an oil that comes from hemp and is often said to have medicinal benefits without intoxicating effects like THC. Many hemp companies produce CBD-based oils and supplements.