Industrial hemp was vital to the U.S. military during WWII, giving the plant a key role in U.S. Hemp History.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program of 2013 lead to the opening of government-controlled marijuana dispensaries across the state. The medicinal marijuana required to stock these dispensaries is supplied by state-approved growing facilities throughout the state of Illinois. Delavan, Dwight and Lincoln are three towns with hemp growing centres.
Illinois is no stranger to state-approved cannabis plots. There was plenty of industrial hemp grown in the state during World War II. Under the control of the federal government, industrial hemp was grown to produce supplies such as thread, rope and cordage for the U.S. Army and Navy.
The war jeopardised the fibre trade between the U.S and the Asian Pacific. The Philippines were a significant supplier of fibre to the U.S. Without todays reliance on synthetic fibres, the military needed fibre crops such as industrial hemp to produce uniforms, buttons and leather goods. Hemp was especially useful for supplies of rope and cordage and its strength and durability were imperative to the U.S. troops.
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