To see this an action, we only need to look to the marijuana industry in Oregon. While the crop is forced into a locals-only economy, it serves as an example of what can happen when product is kept local and not able to traverse into other states.

With an abundant oversupply of marijuana, not enough demand locally, and no method for moving product out of state, the price of marijuana has crashed. Dropping over 50%, the average cost of a gram is now only $7.00 according to CBS News. In fact, the crisis is so bad that lawmakers have passed legislation that allows farmers in the state to ship their product over state lines (though it is slightly more complicated than that and still needs some federal approval with the current language of the law).

Here we have a state desperate to sell their cannabis crops to far away economies, while in the hemp world, a cannabis crop that can actually ship nationwide, farmers are practically shamed for selling product out-of-state.

In addition, for our local communities to survive, we need to make the hemp industry a success nationwide. We need to expand our relationships and start thinking about our farmer brethren in all parts of the US as our neighbors. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attempt to keep local if you can, but don’t feel bad for selling or buying out of state if it’s necessary. The only way we win, is if we win together.