The hemp plant needs very little water to grow, so for New Mexico where water is limited it is an ideal crop to farm. However, hemp’s affiliation with marijuana is jeopardizing the opportunities for New Mexican farmers to cash in on the growing hemp industry. 
Ramon Alvarez, a farmer of La Union New Mexican, began farming with his grandfather in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He now runs the family farm himself, and is looking to add a new crop – hemp.
In US Hemp History, Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp, and the declaration of independence was written on hemp paper. However, partly due to it’s association to marijuana, hemp was banned in 1937.
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