In the United States, giant hogweed occurs in Maine, Wisconsin and south to Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, and New Jersey.[21][14][22] In June 2018, it was reported growing in Virginia and North Carolina.[23][24] The plant is federally listed as a noxious weed in many US states.[21
In the US, hogweed is regulated as a federal noxious weed by the US government, and is illegal to import into the United States or move interstate without a permit from the Department of Agriculture.[32] The USDA Forest Service states pigs and cattle can eat it without apparent harm.[33] The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has had an active program to control giant hogweed since 2008.[34] In 2011, Maine state horticulturists, describing the plant as "Queen Anne's lace on steroids", reported that it has been found at 21 different locations in Maine, with the number of plants ranging from one to a hundred.[35]