Marijuana is legal for recreational use in four states across the country, but its cousin, hemp, has just started to make legal baby steps.

State universities in Illinois are now protected by law if they choose to research industrial hemp.

A state law passed Jan. 1 defines industrial hemp as “cannabis sativa having no more than 0.3 percent of THC.”

Before this new bill, hemp was a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s website defines Schedule 1 substances as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

Industrial hemp can either be grown for fiber or seeds.

The natural fiber, among the strongest in the world, has historically been used for rope, textiles and paper.

Hemp seeds contain all of the essential amino and fatty acids required by the human diet, according to research by the University of Kupoio in Finland. The seeds can also be used in biodegradable non-toxic paints and inks.

Industrial hemp is also a candidate for biofuels and fiberglass alternatives.

Ken Diesburg, an assistant professor in plant, soil and agriculture systems, said SIU would be a good home for an industrial hemp research program.

For research to begin, individual faculty members must first express interest.

Matt Geisler, an associate professor in plant biology, said research projects begin with the faculty and do not come from the top-down.

However, most faculty members already have specific research interests and specializations.

“By the time we get here we have pretty much established our career path… the way I see this happening would be with the new hires,” Geisler said.

The university has a faculty position open in the department of plant, soil and agriculture systems.

The law requires the research to be on the growth, cultivation or marketing of the crop.

“We already know how to cultivate and grow this stuff, to a certain degree,” Geisler said. “We have been doing this since 800 BC. I think the marketing has to come first.”

Geisler and Diesburg agree industrial hemp production will take off if the industry can profit from it.

“I would really love to do research on industrial hemp,” said Diesburg, who is retiring this upcoming summer after 26 years at the university.