The states of North Dakota, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Wisconsin recently sent representatives to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to petition for the right to raise industrial hemp, made from the same plant that produces marijuana.

The Grand Forks Herald reported Feb. 17 that North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson described the meeting as "very cordial" but also said state officials were told that hemp production would be very difficult to achieve under current federal law.

"DEA has never responded to our earlier inquiries, but today we were able to present our case and learn from them what may be required in terms of regulations and safeguards," said Johnson.

Johnson's department is in the process of drafting regulations to control hemp production -- already legal under state law -- and is looking for feedback from the DEA.

Industrial hemp is highly versatile: uses include food, feed, textiles, paper, and rope. But it is closely related to marijuana, although hemp contains only traces of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.