Hemp Gains Ground As a Crop; Farmers Hope Trump Will Change Mind on TPP

Cannabis and its supporters are on the march after voters in eight more states decided on Election Day to legalize the herb for recreational or medical purposes, pushing it even further into the mainstream of American farming.

But another type of cannabis also is gaining ground, albeit with less attention, and some farmers are starting to take notice. That plant is hemp, a variety of cannabis that has been around for centuries and has been touted as a versatile, hardy crop that can be turned into food, fiber and now, medicine.

President-elect Donald Trump's plans for his first 100 days in office may include plans to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but ag groups backing the deal are optimistic that won't be the case.

Speaking to Agri-Pulse at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention in Kansas City recently, not a single pro-TPP organization was willing to concede that the deal had a dismal future. In fact, the chief lobbyist for the National Cattlemen's Association said he's holding out hope that Congress will approve the deal in the lame-duck session.