High Times and Headaches for Hemp as it Seeks to Re- Establish Itself as a Viable Industry

The US hemp industry is poised for a renaissance after prohibitions on hemp production were recently lifted. While this newly opened market is an opportunity for growers, processors, and manufacturers there are a lot of factors to consider. The lack of crop improvement research done on hemp leaves hemp far behind other crops that have benefitted from nearly a century of improvement. This review provides a basic summary of hemp and research needs that are high priorities to address as hemp seeks to re-establish itself as a productive part of the US agricultural system. While some headaches will be experienced along the way, prudent investment in research can help hemp producers capitalize on the high potential of this re-emerging crop.

Keywords: Hemp; Cannabis; Cannabis sativa; THC; CBD; CBC

Abbreviations:THC - Tetrahydrocannabinol; CBD - Cannabidiol; CBC - Cannabichromene; CBG - Cannabigerol