In recent years, Kansas has seen a significant change in hemp farming trends. When hemp cultivation was legalized in 2019, over 200 Kansas farmers jumped on board. Yet this year, a mere 41 obtained licenses.
Initially, most of Kansas's hemp was turned into CBD oil, valued for its health benefits. But as the CBD craze slowed, the state's hemp production for CBD plummeted from 90% to under 5%. Sarah Stephens, CEO of Midwest Hemp Technologies, highlighted the shift: while CBD growth reduce, interest in hemp's fiber and grain surged.
One reason behind the CBD decline is the legalization of recreational marijuana in several states, providing customers with new product choices. The changing landscape, as Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kelsey Olson noted, might have redirected some consumer preferences.
The hemp story doesn't end there. Many see vast potential in hemp beyond just CBD. By concentrating on hemp fiber, especially for animal bedding, some businesses are flourishing even as others face challenges.
There's potential in areas Kansas hasn't yet fully explored. Health food stores often sell hemp grain foods, but the U.S. doesn't produce enough. Many such products come from Canada. Stephens is among Kansas hemp advocates aiming to fill this gap. She believes Kansas, with its ideal farming conditions, could soon become a leading hemp producer.
In the evolving world of hemp, Kansas farmers are learning to adapt and explore its versatile benefits.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Kansas, Crops