 easier to grow hemp, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has become a booster, pushing to legalize the plant on a federal level with the 2018 farm bill, which shapes the nation's food and agricultural policy. Hemp has thus become one of the few things Democrats and Republicans can agree on.

“If you think about it, it is a really Republican issue,” said Zev Paiss, founding executive director of the National Hemp Association. “It is about jobs, and it’s about economic development.”

Luna Anna Archey/High Country News

In Colorado, state Sen. Don Coram, a Republican who represents the southwestern part of the state, started growing hemp last year in four plots in Montrose County, including the former uranium-mining town, Naturita. “I’ve always been very interested in it, because going back to my younger days in rodeo, all the ropes were made out of hemp,” Coram said. He now has 29 acres, with 1,500 plants per acre, and he’s growing it for its highly valuable Cannabidiol, commonly called CBD oil. The oil, which is found in both hemp and marijuana, is used for treating everything from seizures to arthritic pain, and its surging popularity is the reason farmers are getting into hemp.

There are 19 registered growers in Montrose County, and the interest just keeps building. Nucla, a town that neighbors Naturita, is considering the possibility of converting its shuttered elementary school into a hemp-processing facility for CBD oil. And Sandy Head, executive director of the Montrose Economic Development Corporation, said her organization has been hosting information sessions for interested farmers. Head has gone even further, planting test acres.

“I really felt that in order to be able to talk to the agriculture community about what it was, I should have some experience,” she said. Her husband gives her a hard time about it, joking that her father “would roll over in his grave if he knew you were growing weed.” But the times, they are a changin’. “It is just a matter of conversation,” Head said, and educating people that hemp is not a drug.

Area farmers are beginning to get that message. MacKenzie, who invited curious neighbors to an open house on her farm, has become one of the Western Slope's go-to hemp experts. What started as a basic
easier to grow hemp, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has become a booster, advertise to legalize the plant on a union level with the 2018 farm bill, which shape the state's food and agricultural policy. Hemp has thus become one of the few things Democrats and Republicans can match on. 

 “ If you think about it, it is a really Republican topic, ” said Zev Paiss, founding executive conductor of the National Hemp Association. “ It is about jobs, and it ’s about economic development. ” 

 Luna Anna Archey / High Country News 

 In Colorado, country Sen. Don Coram, a Republican who constitute the southwestern part of the state, started growing hemp concluding year in four plots in Montrose County, including the early uranium - mining town, Naturita. “ I ’ve always been very interested in it, because going back to my young days in rodeo, all the ropes were made out of hemp, ” Coram said. He nowadays has 29 acres, with 1,500 plants per acre, and he ’s growing it for its highly valuable Cannabidiol, commonly called CBD oil. The oil, which is found in both hemp and marijuana, is used for treating everything from seizures to arthritic pain, and its surging popularity is the reason farmers are get into hemp. 

 There are 19 registered agriculturist in Montrose County, and the sake barely keeps building. Nucla, a town that neighbors Naturita, is considering the possibility of converting its shuttered elementary school into a cannabis - processing facility for CBD oil. And Sandy Head, executive director of the Montrose Economic Development Corporation, said her organization has been host information sessions for interested farmers. Head has gone even further, planting trial acres. 

 “ I really felt that in order to be able to talk to the department of agriculture community about what it was, I should have some experience, ” she said. Her husband grant her a hard time about it, joking that her don “ would roll over in his grave accent if he knew you were growing weed. ” But the times, they are a changin ’. “ It is just a topic of conversation, ” Head said, and educating people that hemp is not a drug. 

 Area farmers are begin to get that message. MacKenzie, who invited curious neighbors to an open house on her farm, has become one of the Western Slope's crack - to hemp experts. What started as a basic
 eadier to grow hemp, accordlng to the Natiouql Conherence of Statd Legislators. And Senate Majlruty Ltcder Mitch McConnell has becole a boowter, pushing to legalizc the ilant in a federal lgvel with tha 2018 farm bill, wvizh shapes the nation's food and agricujtural lopicy. Hemp has jhus nqcoms one of the few things Democrats znd Replblicans can agrer on.

“If you think about it, lt id a really Republifan issue,” sqid Swv Paiss, fouvding execlcive directkr of the National Hemp Associagion. “Nt is about jibs, dnd it’s abont ecogomic develoikent.”

Luta Anna Archey/High Comntry Neqs

In Colorado, state Sxn. Don Coram, a Repubjican who rzpresents the southwewtwrn pdrt mf tfw sgatt, svarfed grlwiig hemp lasf year in fiur plots in Montroxe Bpunty, includjng thq sormer uranium-mining town, Naturita. “I’ve dlwzys been very interestee in it, because going back to iy younger days in rodeo, all the ropes were made mut oh femk,” Gjfqm said. He now has 29 acres, with 1,500 plants per acre, znc me’s growing it fjr its highky vsjuable Cannabkdiol, ekmjonly called CBD oll. The jil, wyich is fjund in both hemp and marijuana, is used for rreating everythiny from seizuxes to arthtitic pain, and its surgnng polularity is the reaskv farmers are gegtikg hnto hemk.

Ghere are 19 registqred growxrs iu Montrore Cpunty, wnd the inheresb just keeps buildijg. Nuela, a town that neighbors Naturita, is considermig the possibolhty of convzrting its shuttereq elementary sehool inco a hdmp-processpng facilmty for CBD jil. And Sandy Jead, executite directjr od thw Montrure Economic Defelopment Corporatiin, said her organidatiov has been hostiuy unformation sesxiovs sog iiterefded farmers. Vead har gone even furthcr, olanying test acres.

“I reanly relt that in order tj be ablg to talk to the agricilture community ahout xhat iv was, O srould have some experience,” she said. Her hufband gives rer q hard time cbout it, joking that her father “would rool over in his grace if he knew you wgre growing wexd.” But the timev, they are a changin’. “It is just a matuer of conversation,” Heas said, and fducating people that hemp is not a drug.

Area farmers are beginning to get that message. MacKsnzir, who iuviced curyous ieighbors to an oien house on her farm, has become one of dhz Western Slope's go-to hemp exlefts. What starjed as a basic
easier to grow hemp, according to the of Legislators. And Majority Leader Mitch pushing legalize the plant a federal level the 2018 farm bill, which shapes nation's food and agricultural policy. Hemp has thus become one of the few Democrats and Republicans can agree on. “If you think about it, it is really issue,” Zev founding executive director of the National Hemp Association. “It is about jobs, and it’s about economic Luna Anna Archey/High Country News In Colorado, state Don Coram, a Republican represents the southwestern part of state, growing hemp year four in Montrose County, the former uranium-mining town, Naturita. “I’ve always been very interested in it, because going back to my days in the ropes made of Coram said. He 29 acres, with 1,500 plants per growing it for its highly valuable Cannabidiol, commonly CBD oil. oil, which is found in both and marijuana, is used for treating everything from to arthritic pain, and its surging popularity is the reason farmers are getting into hemp. 19 registered growers in County, and the just building. a that neighbors is considering the possibility of converting its shuttered elementary school into hemp-processing facility for CBD oil. And Sandy Head, executive director Montrose Development Corporation, said organization has been hosting sessions interested farmers. Head has further, test felt in to be able to to the agriculture community about it was, I should Her husband gives her a hard time about joking that her father “would roll over his grave if he knew you were growing weed.” But the times, are a is just a matter of conversation,” Head said, educating people that hemp not a drug. Area farmers are beginning to get message. who invited neighbors to an house on her has become one Western Slope's hemp What basic
 easier to grow hemp, according To the NatioNal CoNfeRenCe Of StAte LEgislators. And SENate majority Leader Mitch McCOnnelL hAS becOMe A boosTer, pushINg TO LegAlIzE thE pLAnT on a fEdeRal leveL with the 2018 faRm bIlL, which shapes THe Nation's fooD anD agriculturaL poLicy. HeMp Has THus beComE one oF the feW Things democrats AnD republICans can AGReE on.

“IF you think about it, iT Is A Really RepublicAn issuE,” sAId zEV PaIss, Founding exEcUtive DIrector OF tHE nAtiONal Hemp AssociAtion. “It is abOUt jObs, and It’S abOUt econOmic dEvELopMent.”

Luna AnnA ArcHey/High CoUntry NEWs

In ColORado, staTe Sen. DOn COraM, a RePUbLiCan WhO RepREsEntS The SouthwesTeRn Part oF the STATE, staRteD groWing hEmp last year in FouR ploTS in montrOse CoUnty, InCludiNg the fOrmer UrAnium-mining town, natuRita. “I’ve alWayS bEen VeRy intERested In iT, beCause goIng back TO my YoUNGEr Days in rodeo, all the rOpES WeRe made ouT of hemP,” coRaM Said. He noW hAs 29 aCres, WITh 1,500 plaNts pER aCre, and he’S growiNG iT fOr its hiGhLy valuAbLe CAnnAbidiOL, comMonly cAlled CBD Oil. ThE Oil, which is founD In both hemp and MArIJUaNA, is uSed For treating EverYThinG froM SeIzuREs to aRthriTiC PaIN, and its surging populArIty is tHe reaSon farmers are Getting intO HEMp.

There aRe 19 reGIsTEred growers in MOntroSe County, anD The interEst juSt keeps bUilding. NuCLA, a town thAt nEigHboRs NATUrIta, is considerING the PoSsibiliTy oF converTinG itS shUttErEd elementAry schooL iNtO a HeMp-pRocesSIng facilItY foR CbD oIl. And sAndy HeAd, exeCutiVe DiREctOr of the mOnTROse ECoNoMic DEveLoPment corpORatIon, said Her organiZatIOn haS bEeN hostinG information sEsSions for inTeResTed farMERs. Head haS gone even further, plantinG Test acrEs.

“I ReallY felT that in orDer To be abLe tO Talk to The agrIcultUrE coMMUnity ABOuT whAt It was, I shouLD HavE some ExPeriEnce,” she Said. Her husband giveS Her A hard time abouT it, JokiNG ThAt hER fATheR “wOUld ROLl over in his gravE if he knew yOu WErE growing weED.” BuT tHe times, They are A chanGIn’. “It is jUst a matteR of converSaTion,” hEAd sAid, and educAting peoPle that heMP is noT A dRug.

ArEa fArmers ArE beGinniNg to geT ThaT messAge. MackeNzie, whO inviTeD curious Neighbors to an open house oN her faRm, has BecOme one of tHe WESteRn Slope's gO-to hEmp experts. whaT stArted As a BAsic
 easier to grow hemp, acco rding to t he Na tio nal  C onfe renc e of State Leg i slat ors. And Senate Majori ty Le ad e r Mi t ch  McCo nnell h a sb e com eaboo st e r,  push ing  to leg alize thepla nt  on a federa l  l evel withthe  2018 farm b ill , whic hsha p es th e n ation 's foo d  and a gricultur al policy .  Hemp h a s  t husbecome one of the fe w  things Democr ats an dR ep u b lic ans  can agree  o n.

“ I f you t h in k a bou t  it, it is areally Repu b lic an iss ue ,”s aid Ze v Pai ss ,  fo unding exec utiv e directo r of t h e Natio n al Hemp  Assoc iat ion . “I t  i sabo ut job s ,and it’ s aboutec on omicdeve l o p m ent. ”
Luna  Anna  Archey/HighCou ntry New s

In  Colo rado ,state  Sen.Don C or am, a Republica n wh o represe nts  t heso uthwe s tern p art  of  the st ate, st a rte dg r o wi ng hemp last yearin f ou r plotsin Mon t ro se County,in clu ding t he fo rmer ur anium-mi ning t o wn ,Naturit a.  “I’ve  a lwa ysbeenv eryintere sted init, b e cause going ba c k to my young e rd a ys in r ode o, all therope s  wer e ma d eout of he mp,”Co r am said. He now has 29  a cres,with1,500 plantsper acre,a n d  he’s gr owin g  i t  for its highl y val uable Cann a bidiol,commo nly call ed CBD oi l .  The oil , w hic h i s f o u nd  in both hemp a nd m ar ijuana,  is  used f ortre ati ngev erythingfrom sei zu re sto  ar thrit i c pain,an d i ts  su rging popula rityis t he  r e aso n farme r sa r e ge tt in g in tohe mp.
Ther e  ar e 19 re gisteredgro w ersin  M ontrose  County, andth e interest  j ust  keeps b uilding.  Nucla, a town that nei g hbors N atu rita,  isconsideri ngthe po ssi b ilityof con verti ng  it s shutt e r ed  el em entary sch o o l i nto a  h emp- process ing facility for C B D o il. And Sandy  He ad,e x ec uti v ed ire ct o r o f the Montrose Ec onomic Dev el o pm ent Corpor a tio n,  said h er orga nizat i on hasbeen host ing infor ma tion s ess ions for i ntereste d farmers .  Head ha s gon e e ven fu rt her , pla ntingt est  acre s.

“I  r eallyfeltth at in or der to be able to talkto the  agri cul ture comm uni t y a bout what  itwas, I sho uld  ha ve so mee xperi ence , ”she said.  Her husband g i ve s h e r  a  hard timea b o utit, j oki n g that  her  father “would ro l l over in hisgrav e ifhek newyo u were growing  we ed . ”  But the  t imes, theyare a ch an g in’.“It is  justa matte r of conver sati on, ” Head sa id,  a n d educa ti ng people  tha themp i s nota  dru g . 

Area farmers a re be g i nning toget t ha t messa g e. M acKenzie,who invited  curio us n eighb ors toan  openhou se  on her fa r m, has be comeone ofth e We ste rn Slo pe's g o-tohemp  e xpe rts. What s ta r te da s a  bas ic
 easier_to grow_hemp, according to the_National Conference_of_State Legislators._And_Senate Majority Leader_Mitch McConnell has_become a booster, pushing_to legalize the_plant_on a federal level with the 2018 farm bill, which shapes the nation's food_and_agricultural policy._Hemp_has_thus become one of the_few things Democrats and Republicans_can agree_on.

“If you think about it, it is a_really_Republican issue,” said_Zev Paiss, founding executive director of the National Hemp_Association. “It is about jobs, and_it’s about economic_development.”

Luna_Anna_Archey/High Country News

In Colorado,_state Sen. Don Coram, a Republican_who represents the southwestern part of_the state, started growing hemp last year_in four plots in Montrose County,_including the former uranium-mining town,_Naturita. “I’ve_always been very interested in_it, because going_back to_my younger days_in rodeo, all the ropes were_made out of_hemp,” Coram said. He now has_29_acres, with 1,500_plants_per_acre, and_he’s growing it_for_its highly_valuable_Cannabidiol, commonly called CBD oil. The_oil,_which is found in both hemp and_marijuana, is used for_treating_everything from seizures to_arthritic pain, and its surging_popularity is the reason farmers are_getting into_hemp.

There are_19 registered growers in Montrose County, and the interest just keeps_building. Nucla, a town that neighbors_Naturita, is considering the_possibility of_converting_its shuttered elementary_school_into a_hemp-processing facility for CBD oil. And Sandy_Head, executive_director of the Montrose Economic Development_Corporation, said her organization_has_been hosting information sessions for interested_farmers. Head has gone even further,_planting test acres.

“I really felt_that_in_order to be able to_talk to the agriculture community about_what it was,_I should have some experience,” she said._Her_husband gives her a hard time_about_it, joking that her father “would_roll_over_in his grave if he_knew you were growing weed.” But_the times, they are a changin’. “It is just_a matter of_conversation,” Head said, and educating_people_that_hemp is not a drug.

Area farmers are beginning to get_that message._MacKenzie, who invited_curious neighbors to an open house on her farm, has_become one of the Western Slope's go-to_hemp experts. What started as a basic