I think that's a reasonable point to make. At the same time, I wouldn't underestimate the worldwide effects a ban in the US had, given its importance as a cons

I think that's a reasonable point to make. At the same time, I wouldn't underestimate the worldwide effects a ban in the US had, given its importance as a consumer of world goods especially in the second half of the 20th century. And while industrial hemp wasn't banned worldwide, it was banned or curtailed in other countries for prolonged periods (e.g. Germany from 82 to 95). Hemp production seems to be around 0.25% of cotton production. No matter the intrinsic properties of the material, that seems like a very difficult lead to catch up to. And I'm sure both are getting squeezed by synthetic fibers (cotton consumption seems to be fairly stable for years). Hemp: 65kt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Producers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Producers Cotton: 25mt https://www.icac.org/Press-Release/2018-(1)/PR-5-2018-Global-Cotton-Consumption-Expected-to-Gr https://www.icac.org/Press-Release/2018-(1)/PR-5-2018-Global... Synthetic fibers: 65mt https://www.statista.com/statistics/741368/world-synthetic-fiber-production/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/741368/world-synthetic-f... Wool: around 1mt