Some Indiana farmers uncertain hemp will become profitable

WARSAW, Ind. (AP) — Some Indiana farmers have started harvesting their first legal crop of hemp without knowing for certain whether it will be lucrative.

President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill last December, legalizing hemp.

Since then, Indiana farmers have taken out permits to grow thousands of acres of hemp for its fiber, seed and cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD.

Hemp flowers and seeds can be processed to make materials that include paper, cloth and rope.

But farmers tell the South Bend Tribune that torrential spring rains either washed out some of their crops, including hemp, or delayed their planting efforts.

Justin Swanson is the Midwest Hemp Council’s co-founder. He says Indiana farmers have planted about 3,000 acres of hemp plants and that number will double or triple in 2020.