Industrial hemp, the non-psychoactive cousin of the cannabis plant, can be used to make everything from food to fiber, biodegradable construction materials, and biofuels. One hemp byproduct, Cannabidiol (CBD), has skyrocketed in popularity as people discover CBD as a treatment for health issues like epilepsy, insomnia, arthritis, and anxiety, among other conditions.

Hemp is an ancient product whose uses have been known for thousands of years, but in the 20th century, growing and using hemp became illegal in the United States as lawmakers sought to curb the use of recreational cannabis. Now hemp cultivation is once again legal in the U.S., and it’s changing the face of agriculture and creating huge new economic opportunities. Here are three ways industrial hemp is changing the agricultural economy and how to take advantage of new opportunities.-UNITY COLLEGE