With Measure Expected Soon, Industrial Hemp Called 'No-Brainer' Reform

[ensho]

http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/measure-introduced-hemp-called-no.html


For the third time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States more than 50 years ago, a federal bill will be introduced that will remove restrictions on the cultivation of non-intoxicating industrial hemp.

The chief sponsors, Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) have circulated a dear colleague letter seeking support for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. The bill will be identical to HR 1009 which was introduced in the 110th Congress, according to a hemp advocacy group.

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"With so much discussion lately in the media about drug policy, it is surprising the tragedy of American hemp farming hasn't come up as a 'no-brainer' for reform," says Vote Hemp President Eric Steenstra. "Hemp is a versatile, environmentally friendly crop that has not been grown for over 50 years because of a politicized interpretation of the nation's drug laws by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). President Obama should direct the DEA to avoid confusing industrial hemp and its genetically distinct cousin marijuana. While the new bill in Congress is a welcome step, the hemp industry is hopeful the new leadership in the White House will prioritize the crop benefits to farmers. There are jobs that would be created over night as there are numerous American companies that have no choice but to import hemp materials valued at $300 million in sales per year," says Steenstra.

Hemp’s oilseed makes high-grade food and beauty products. The stalks produce fiber and cellulose for everything from automotive parts and fine clothing to building products and fuel, Vote Hemp says on its website.

U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a California company who manufactures the number-one-selling natural soap, and FlexForm Technologies, an Indiana company whose natural fiber materials are used in over 2 million cars, Vote Hemp says. Hemp food manufacturers such as French Meadow Bakery, Hempzels, Living Harvest, Nature's Path and Nutiva now make their products from Canadian hemp. Although hemp grows wild across the United States -- a vestige of centuries of hemp farming -- the hemp for these products must be imported, Vote Hemp notes. Hemp clothing is made around the world by well-known brands such as Patagonia, Bono's Edun and Giorgio Armani, it adds.
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growing hemp is smart

[Richard D]

1. This is good news

Hemp is really a no-brainer. Food, fuel, clothing, paper, etc. All of a higher quality and a lower environmental cost than any other crop. Hemp oil for food is a nearly perfect product.

[Royal Sloan 09]

2. k & r,

Simple solution = Legalize, and End the War on Drugs!

Yes, We Cannabis!:smoke:

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. On to the greatest.

Call your Congresscritters. This needs to happen.

Humble request: Hemp is not pot, so stow the stupid jokes.

[Beetwasher]

4. Hemp Is One Of The Most Versatile Plants On The Planet

And would be a huge cash crop and boost to the economy.

[tridim]

5. Absolutely, I still can figure out why Carter and Clinton didn't do this.

[Occam Bandage]

7. I think the hemp caused isn't helped

by the fact that people who advocate for it are very often the same people who advocate for marijuana. It makes it too easy for the general public to dismiss the very real benefits of hemp as "a buncha potheads looking for another way to work around the law." Which is not to say they shouldn't advocate for it; the fact that hemp is illegal is insane.

[Beam Me Up]

9. Oh, come on.

You never heard of du Pont, Dow -- petro-chemical industry -- among others like paper, etc -- you have NO idea?

[tridim]

11. Of course I have, what does that have to do with my question?

[pnutbutr]

6. I'd grow it on my farm

[Mari333]

8. GOOD news! nt

[pleah]

10. K&R

[bvar22]

12. We've got several acres cleared and ready

:hippie: