It can't still be illegal here in the United States if it wasn't overlooked; ask the average person if non-psychoactive marijuana was used to make cars at one point and most will look at you with confusion, if they even answer.
The history and incredible, incredible use of hemp is extremely overlooked in general. Good luck finding it mentioned more than in passing in a high school text book, or finding a politician aware of the fact that it's almost incomprehensibly better for paper, clothing, and could create - oh my god - so many jobs, the thing a lot of politicians seem to be talking about and promising; but directly preventing (this is both parties, by the way).
http://www.informationdistillery.com/hemp.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Wears_No_Clothes