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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFarmers hope to plow the way for sustainable U.S. hemp
via Grist:
Farmers hope to plow the way for sustainable U.S. hemp
By Susie Cagle
A couple months ago, I asked if industrial hemp would make a resurgence thanks to new legalization and cultural acceptance of cannabis. A real hemp industry could be as much as 10 times bigger than legal marijuana, which is already a potentially $1 billion industry in Washington and $200 million in Colorado.
MisterQuill But back in November, farmers were a little skittish. Yes yes, the U.S. is the biggest consumer of hemp which is pretty damn sustainable compared to other fibers and grows relatively easily without a bunch of pesticides, but the federal government is crazy and theyre giving us so much money for all this corn! they said (approximately).
Still, some farmers, like Michael Bowman in Colorado, are determined to cultivate the evil plant. Can we just stop being stupid? Can we just stop being stupid? Can we just talk about how things need to change? Bowman asked The Washington Post, which did not have a very good answer. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://grist.org/news/farmers-hope-to-plow-the-way-for-sustainable-u-s-hemp/
defacto7
(13,485 posts)when hemp can be farmed in the open and under the beautiful sunshine of freedom.
I have one nightmare though. Once the cartels begin to feel the pinch on their income, there may be a period where we will have to defend our freedom in a different way. The age old mafioso system is ancient and remains an underlying shadow that is still in the background all over the world. We may be out of one battle... how do we stay out of the next?
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)- the cannabis used for smoking and black marketed by the drug cartels is another variety of hemp.
the opposition to industrial hemp and industrial hemp uses were outlawed right around the time of the invention, uses, profits and lucrative future of plastics.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Cha
(297,497 posts)hemp. Cussing about cigarette smokers outside and the wind blowing it in my direction when I was running. Fantasizing about the tobacco farmers shutting down and growing something less cancerous like Hemp.
Something Useful like Hemp.
http://hempbasics.com/
http://www.hemptraders.com/index.php?cPath=31&osCsid=2d532f50a53c11dfa1c8fb01fccfc979
Please stop being Stupid!
diane in sf
(3,917 posts)Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)has passed a hemp bill three times and all three times it was vetoed by the Governor, INCLUDING JERRY BROWN. The Democrats need to get their heads out of their asses on this issue as I KNOW the Republicans never will.
farminator3000
(2,117 posts)Even potential Canadian competitors are trying to assist the hemp vanguard here. As Parker and Bowman worked on their states ballot initiative, the Canadian consulate in Denver served as unofficial advisers. They flew Canadian Mounties and an expert in composites to discuss the logistics of enforcement and processing hemp once its legal and funded Parkers trip to Winnipeg to attend an industry meeting.
If and when it becomes legal to grow hemp in the United States, thats just going to add credence and credibility to what were doing, said Hemp Oil Canada President Shaun Crew, who has already registered the name Hemp Oil USA for when he opens up shop south of the border.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/hemp-legalization-effort-gathers-steam/2013/01/13/f8b984f0-5a94-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story_2.html