US News

High-flying flag: Stars and stripes made of hemp to fly over U.S. Capitol

DENVER — An American flag made of hemp is flying over the U.S. Capitol on Independence Day, and the flag belongs to a Colorado man who supports the crop.

Democratic Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado brought the Colorado’s flag made of hemp to a recent farm bill debate. The flag will be flown over the Capitol on July 4, then returned to the man.

Industrial hemp looks much like marijuana but does not have its psychoactive properties. Federal law prohibits growing hemp, but not importing it.

Historians say the first American flags were made of hemp, which was raised by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Polis successfull amended the federal farm bill last month, allowing farmers to raise industrial hep. But the bill ultimately failed. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Earl Blumnenauer of Oregon also sponsored the hemp farm bill.