Industrial Hemp Farming Act introduced in Congress

Evidently CNN doesn't think this is worth mentioning. Thank you again, Raw Story.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Industrial_Hemp_Farming_Act_introduced_in_0213.html

Industrial Hemp Farming Act introduced in Congress
Mike Sheehan
Published: Tuesday February 13, 2007


An act to legitimize hemp farming has been introduced in Congress, according to a press release.

"For the second time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States," the release states, "a federal bill has been introduced that would remove restrictions on the cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp."

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), a maverick 2008 presidential candidate, is the chief sponsor behind the bill, H.R. 1009. Nine co-sponsors, including fellow White House hopeful Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), are all Democrats.

The bill "would give states the right to regulate farming of the versatile hemp crop," the release says.

"It is indefensible that the United States government prevents American farmers from growing this crop," the release quotes Rep. Paul. "The prohibition subsidizes farmers in countries from Canada to Romania by eliminating American competition and encourages jobs in industries such as food, auto parts and clothing that utilize industrial hemp to be located overseas instead of in the United States."

Paul states that the passing of the act would "help American farmers and reduce the trade deficit -- all without spending a single taxpayer dollar."

The release cites fifteen states which have passed pro-hemp legislation, including seven (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia) which "have removed barriers to its production or research." Rep. Paul's bill would, the statement continues, "remove federal barriers and allow laws in these states regulating the growing and processing of industrial hemp to take effect."

A hemp activist leader, quoted in the release, asserts that "the DEA has taken the Controlled Substances Act's antiquated definition of marijuana out of context and used it as an excuse to ban industrial hemp farming" and says passage of the new act "will bring us back to more rational times when the government regulated marijuana, but told farmers they could go ahead and continue raising hemp just as they always had."

press release:
http://www.votehemp.com/PR/02-13-07_federal_bill.html

:thumbsup:

Just wrote an email to my Rep and told him to co-sponsor it!

The time has come.

One more good reason to support him

I think we should try it

I read it could help starving populations because of its nutrients. Also will remove toxins from the soil and is naturally pest resistant. And in addition to replacing paper products it can be used to replace many petroleum based products like plastics. No more landfills with to go cartons! AND that it could be used for the ethanol instead of corn! There are so many advantages to hemp it is amazing. This has made it very unpopular with big money oil and chemical companies. We will see what stuff this Congress is made of with this bill. I expect there will be a lot of pressure from lobbyists regarding it.

I'm sure the current versions will squawk about this.

This would be a GREAT crop for people like NC tobacco farmers who want to get out of growing the weed.

I'm glad they are doing this.

that hemp will have a huge impact on big oil and chemical companies.

If there serious about solving energy problems this bill will pass. If they are more concerned about protecting big oil, it will fail. And they will use the smoke screen bullshit marijuana excuse to defeat it…

and I believe ethanol too.

the auto industry, the health and food industries ... and on and on; though the impact may not be so huge in some industries. Yeah, I know you know - I'm preaching to the choir but I'll do it anyway for emphasis.

There are 'good' reasons hemp has to be outlawed. *sigh*

When I think of all the jobs and money to be created by this one little plant, it breaks my heart we can't get it past the puritanical, brainwashed crowd.

Lots of hurdles to jump...big oil, lumber, retarded lawmakers, etc.

country is losing money because they aren't in this booming business. I think there is hope this time. Especially since they are leaving it to the states to decide.

it would turn into a "drug" issue, under the public radar, it is a farm issue.