Hemp, a marijuana cousin that grows prolifically in the North Dakota climate, could become a major cash crop for local farmers, the North Dakota Farm & Ranch Guide reported Dec. 21.

As of Jan. 1, North Dakota began accepting license applications from farmers who want to grow industrial hemp, the first state in the U.S. to do so. Advocates say hemp has more than 30,000 industrial uses, from food products to clothing. "It's a good cash crop, no doubt about it," said Dave Monson, a North Dakota farmer and state lawmaker.

Monson has pushed for the state to legalize hemp production ever since farmers in neighboring Manitoba, Canada began growing it in the 1990s. He said hemp is a hardy crop and is comparatively easy to grow and is an attractive alternative to growing wheat in the region.

Still standing in the way of North Dakota hemp farming is the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which could deny licenses to farmers. Ironically, hemp can be imported into the U.S., but not grown domestically under federal drug laws. On the other hand, the plant grows wild all over North Dakota.

North Dakota agricultural officials have been meeting with the DEA on possible regulations for industrial hemp production, but said that the agency has been noncommittal about approving licenses. The agency fears that hemp could provide cover for illegal marijuana-growing operations and make anti-drug law enforcement more difficult.