2022 was one hell of a year for the hemp industry. Besides the triumph that is federal legalization, hemp more than tripled in acreage across the United States.
These impressive facts can be found in the 2022 U.S. Hemp Crop Report, released late last month by Vote Hemp, a leading hemp advocacy organization. When it comes to this recent report, Erica Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp, told Nebraska’s KTIC Radio news:
“We’ve seen hemp cultivation significantly expand in the U.S. in 2022, with over triple the number of acres planted in hemp compared to last year and the addition of 4 more states with hemp programs. Now that we have lifted federal prohibition on hemp farming, it’s time to invest our energy in expanding hemp cultivation and the market for hemp products across the country so that all can reap the benefits of this versatile, historic American crop.”
Just months ago, experts were claiming sales of hemp products may reach $2 billion by 2022. However, with this current hemp report and the optimism federal legalization brings, there’s a good chance that number will grow rapidly. The truth of the matter is many more people are opening up to CBD and other hemp products as the stigma around the plant falls away. The more people to do so, the more demand will naturally appear.
Similarly to last year’s report, we’re going to take a look at the leading states and see the progress they’ve made since 2017.
COMPARING 2022 VS 2017 US HEMP ACRES
Comparing Vote Hemp’s 2022 report with last year’s hemp acreage reveals incredible growth in just one year.
Overall hemp acreage increased from 25,713 to 78,176, with the total number of hemp growing states up to 23 from 19 states. The total number of hemp licenses issued across all states more than doubled, from 1,456 in 2017 to 3,546 in 2022. More universities also got involved with hemp research. In 2017, 32 universities took part in hemp research, while 40 had hemp research programs in 2018.
In addition to the sheer increase in U.S. hemp acres between 2022 and 2017, the top hemp growing states also shifted from year to year. Colorado was the top hemp growing state in 2017, with 9,700 acres grown. At the time, we expected the state to maintain its lead into the future. Instead, an unexpected contender came forward to claim that prize in 2022.
TOP 5 HEMP GROWING STATES IN 2022
The 2022 hemp report revealed a historic year in hemp growing. Not only have certain states made incredible progress but the entire country tripled its hemp output, along with more than doubling the number of licenses issued.
In 2022, 5 states made huge leaps when it came to hemp acreage. By observing their individual success, we can get a sense of how other states can make the best of the recent Farm Bill and increase their hemp production in 2019 and beyond.
#5 – Tennessee – 3,338 Acres
Tennessee made a significant leap this year in terms of their involvement in the hemp industry. The state went from farming 200 acres of hemp in 2017 to a staggering 3,338 this past year.
The reason for this leap is due to Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture allowing for more industrial hemp projects and licenses to be issued. Part of the reason for their permissive attitude has to do with the state’s rich history with the crop.
#4 – Kentucky – 6,700 Acres
Though Kentucky no longer ranks as high on this list, they’ve more than doubled their hemp production within the last year. Kentucky has been a leading state for much of the industry’s recent endeavors due to the fact that it was one of the first to embrace pilot hemp programs. Despite the state’s conservative history, many former tobacco farmers now grow hemp. The state’s legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, were instrumental in passing nationwide hemp legalization through the Farm Bill.
#3 – Oregon – 7,808 Acres
It comes as no surprise to see Oregon ranking high on our list. For some time, it’s been one of the most forward-thinking cannabis states across the country. Even before the 2022 Farm Bill, Oregon’s lenient hemp growing program allowed any farmer or business to apply to grow or handle hemp.
Last year, Oregon ranked in at #2 for producing 3,469 acres of hemp. This year, their efforts have given them nearly 8,000 acres.
#2 – Colorado – 21,578 Acres
Last year, we claimed, “for years to come, it seems as though Colorado is going to lead the hemp industry.” Though we were wrong, there’s no doubt the Centennial State gave its best effort in trying to stay true to our claim. Colorado more than doubled its hemp acres from 2017’s 9,700 acres of hemp.
#1 – Montana – 22,000 Acres
In 2022, Montana took the grand prize not only in most acres of hemp grown but in how much expansion its made since 2017. In the year prior, the first year that Montana allowed hemp, the Treasure State grew a mere 542 acres of hemp. This past year, they’ve more multiplied their hemp production by more than 40 times!
This increase is truly an incredible feat not just for the state but the industry as a whole. The interesting part of it all is Montana didn’t change their rules or regulation to cause this growth. The same license was necessary each year and cost around $450.
Yet, due to a massive increase in the number of farmers desiring to grow hemp, Montana ranks number one on this year’s list.
HEMP CROP REPORT REVEALS TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN US HEMP ACRES
It’s truly mindblowing to think about how far the hemp industry come just since 2014. Throughout that time, we went from a complete prohibition to over 75,000 acres of the plant being grown across the nation.
It should be noted the other states which have made tremendous progress throughout 2022:
- Pennsylvania went from 36 acres in 2017 to 580 acres in 2022.
- Maine went from 30 acres in 2017 to 550 acres in 2022.
- Nevada went from 417 acres in 2017 to 1,881 acres in 2022.
- Vermont went from 575 acres in 2017 to 1,820 acres in 2022.
- Wisconsin went from no acres in 2017 to 1,850 acres in 2022.
- North Carolina went from 965 acres in 2017 to 3,184 acres in 2022.
These numbers reveal the ongoing and inevitable rise of this industry. Though experts long predicted a U.S. hemp boom, this Hemp Crop Report comprehensively shows how rapidly the hemp industry is rising.
With total hemp legalization underway across the United States, there’s no telling how much progress is coming. All we do know is it’s bound to be another milestone year in 2019.
HEMP WILL SAVE THE WORLD
Haha suck on that, prohibition!! You tried to exterminate the cannabis plant and you FAILED!!! It’s a new era now where we regard cannabis as a loyal friend, rather than a pariah to be vilified. Marijuana is a far less-harmful and less-addictive alternative to alcohol and the American people will benefit enormously by being given legal access to it.
Great information! I’m striving to get more hemp acres over in Florida and my home country Jamaica; I will start learning about the ecology and other important agricultural information to see if this would be good for the environment in Florida.
Thank you for your reporting on this.
Do you have any idea when Texas will legalize growing Hemp in our state? Do you see small farmers getting into the production of hemp on a local level?
Lastly, what part of the industry do you see the most need/most profit? The growers, the cultivators, the ones who produce the products, the marketing of products or the distributors? Any idea what part of the business one should try to get into?
I appreciate your feedback. A hopeful farmer in Texas!