The eco-savvy among you will know the wonders of hemp. A multi-purpose crop, it can be used in everything from textiles to foods. Not only that, but products made with hemp are a lucrative business; the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimates the 2008 annual retail sales of all hemp products in North America to be about $360 million. But in the US, industrial hemp is a touchy subject — despite the facts, people still make a direct connection between it and marijuana — which means we’re stuck importing it from other countries to make our hemp products.

But Monday, Oregon joined the ranks of states pushing for legitimizing the farming of industrial hemp, passing the Hemp Bill by a 46-11 vote in the Oregon House. The bill recently passed the Oregon Senate on June 19 by a majority of 27 to 2. The bill officially clears the way for licensing industrial hemp farming in the state.

“I am glad that Oregon has joined the list of states that have agreed that American farmers should have the right to re-introduce industrial hemp as an agricultural crop,” says SB 676 sponsor, Sen. Floyd Prozanski.

Hopefully that means that local Oregon companies like Living Harvest — who knew hemp ice cream could be so delicious?? — might soon get to reap the benefits of local farmers instead of looking abroad, which is good for both the environment and the economy.