CSU Growing Hemp Crop At A Secret Location In Southwest Colorado

CORTEZ, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado State University is growing a crop of hemp in southwest Colorado.

The crop tucked into a corn field in a secret location. The crop is banned by the federal government but there are exemptions for research. The university has special permission from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

CSU told the Cortez Journal its testing 12 different varieties.

Hemp is similar to marijuana but doesn't have THC, the active ingredient that gets people high. It's used in making paper, oil, rope, clothing and other industrial products.

The crop is being kept secret to prevent looters from mistaking it for pot.