Marijuana Business Magazine March 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | March 2019 58 U.S. Hemp Regions TOBACCO STATES States with a strong history in tobacco production have climates amenable to hemp production, low labor and land costs as well as public officials eager to assist a new industry to replace tobacco production. (SC, NC, TN, KY, VA) MANUFACTURINGMECCA New York has set aside millions of dollars to attract hemp processors, and Vermont and Maine have attracted major processing operations, too. High land and labor costs mean the northeastern United States is unlikely to become a cultivation hub, but processing investments could pay dividends for an industry with limited processing options. (NY, VT, ME) NORTHERN PLAINS The Northern Plains states dominate flaxseed oil production, and they have climates and infrastructure making hempseed oil production an easy pivot. Like the Prairie Provinces of Canada, the Northern Plains states have wide- open spaces and enormous farms that can scale quickly. (MT, ND, MN, WI) WILDWEST COAST California and Washington state pioneered marijuana cultivation and have climates perfect for hemp production. But both states have negligible hemp industries, likely because of fears that hemp production would damage thriving marijuana industries. Oregon has a vibrant industry of hemp-flower producers, but high land costs and vigorous testing requirements for hemp may hinder market expansion as other states invest in hemp production. (CA, OR, WA) THE HEMP CRADLE For years, Colorado led the nation in industrial hemp production and manufacturing. But with limited water and cold winters, how long will Colorado remain a top- producing hemp state? (CO) By Kristen Nichols Day A New