In Jackson County, Southern Oregon, a new agricultural product is suddenly growing everywhere. Hemp, a strain of the cannabis plant, has taken over as the most widely grown crop.

More acres of hemp are grown than agricultural land dedicated to what the region was once most famous for, pears and grapes, which are the second and third most prevalent agricultural commodities grown in the county.

Today more than 10,000 acres of hemp are grown in Jackson County, according to the most recent Oregon Department of Agriculture data. By comparison, acres of pears grown in the county amount to around 3,800 (2017 data) and grapes 2,850 (2017 data).

The explosive growth mirrors what is happening statewide. Today 62,000 acres of hemp are grown in Oregon overall, an astonishing 427% increase over acres grown in 2018.

“Hemp has taken over,” says Colleen Padilla, executive director of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, based in the county seat of Medford. The growth is not welcome by everyone. Padilla describes the crop as having a “polarizing” effect on the community.

A big concern of locals is that hemp is crowding out other agricultural products, such as pears and grapes. Members of the public are also bothered by the stench of the crop, as well as the large amount of water required to grow hemp. “There is concern about rights over water,” says Padilla.