Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 9/12/19

Montana and Colorado were by far the biggest hemp growing states in 2018, each with more than 20,000 acres cultivated, according to new analysis of the burgeoning industry from Forbes Tate Partners. No other state had more than 10,000 acres cultivated last year.

Industrial hemp production was legalized nationwide in the 2018 farm bill, but states have had the option to create pilot projects since 2014. Roughly half of all states had some hemp farming last year. Nebraska had the smallest program — just half an acre was cultivated. But that will change soon: The state's expanded hemp program has received 176 applications.

The Agriculture Department is expected to release long-awaited hemp production rules as soon as this month. It's already issued guidance on importing hemp seeds, transporting the plant across state lines, and other areas where the lack of national rules is creating legal headaches for growers and processors.