Is hemp federally legal?
Yes, hemp became federally legal after the passage of the 2018 farm bill in November of 2018, and then enacted December 20th 2018.
How will the new federal legislation impact the hemp industry?
The new legislation passed in November 2025 mainly affects CBD and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, tightening limits on THC content in consumables like gummies, oils and beverages.
Industrial hemp for fiber, seed, grain, and stalk is not restricted by the change and remains fully legal for traditional agricultural and industrial uses.
What's the difference between hemp and marijuana?
Hemp and marijuana are both part of the plant genus Cannabis. Hemp by definition is classified as varieties of Cannabis that contain less than 0.3% of the psychoactive cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In contrast to the marijuana cannabis plants, hemp produces predominately non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and can be used for multiple purposes including industrial, medicinal, food and beauty products.
What is industrial hemp?
Industrial hemp is the non-intoxicating form of Cannabis sativa L. (below 0.3 THC) grown for its fiber, seed, grain and stalk. It’s used to produce textiles, paper, building materials, packaging, and bio-based industrial inputs, among other things.
What is the market size of industrial hemp and its expected growth?
According to multiple research studies, the global industrial hemp market is estimated at $3–4 billion in 2025, with projections indicating it could roughly double by 2029 and potentially reach nearly $19 billion by 2035.
What is CBD and will it get me high?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the 114 chemical cannabinoid compounds from the cannabis plant.
It is extracted from the hemp plant to be used in consumer and medical products to treat discomfort and illness. CBD is a non-toxic and non-psychoactive substance, meaning it does not have a strong effect on cognitive brain activity and does not cause the “high” that you receive from THC.
What's the projected market size for CBD?
In March of 2019, Forbes Magazine, who frequently publishes articles on the cannabis industry, estimated the size of the CBD market to reach $20 billion by 2024.
In November of 2025, Forbes Magazine published an article stating the CBD market could expand to an estimated $203 billion by 2034.
