By Blake Jackson
In 2024, over 45,000 acres of hemp were planted across the U.S., marking the highest level since 2021. But in Missouri, only 550 acres were planted — the lowest on record since the USDA began tracking hemp in 2021. The state also harvested only 210 acres, down from 1,410 acres in 2023.
Hemp was legalized nationwide in 2018, and Missouri once had a strong hemp market in the early 1900s. But a decades-long ban wiped out supply chains, making recovery difficult. Today, few processors exist in Missouri, and farmers often must travel long distances to find one.
"There is a cost — opportunity cost — to grow something else,” said Eleazar Gonzales, an agricultural economist at Lincoln University. “It is more profitable to grow corn or soybean, other crops. They will not grow hemp."
Lincoln University’s Hemp Institute is trying to support the industry by helping develop suitable hemp varieties and connecting farmers with local processors like Midwest Natural Fiber. But challenges remain. If hemp exceeds 0.3% delta-9 THC, it must be destroyed.
Legal uncertainty also discourages growth. Missouri officials have proposed restrictions on hemp-derived products, causing concern in the industry. Gonzales explained that farmers are cautious without clear regulations.
Lincoln’s Climate Smart Hemp program aimed to grow markets and improve varieties, but its future is uncertain. The USDA may cancel funding due to new rules requiring 65% of funds to go directly to farmers. Lincoln’s program currently doesn’t meet that threshold.
While 15 states expanded hemp planting in 2024, Missouri’s future in hemp remains unclear due to financial risks, market gaps, and policy concerns. “We are learning from the mistakes, but we are still dealing with hemp policies, with genetics, with markets and substitute products,” said Gonzales.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Soybeans