California Considers Hemp Pilot Program

A newly proposed law in California would establish a five-year pilot program for farmers to grow industrial hemp in four counties. The law would also define â??industrial hempâ?� as separate from marijuana under the stateâ??s health and safety code.

Hemp is a sustainable and environmentally friendly crop which contains less than 1 percent of THC. It is used in skin products, as fertilizer, medicine, building material, fabric, paper, fuel, and can be converted into fully biodegradable plastics. The United States is the only industrialized nation where hemp is not an established crop, much to the delight of oil, coal, and chemical industries which benefit from the ban.

Cultivation of hemp is currently illegal under US federal law thanks to the lobbying of the aforementioned groups. The California Narcotic Officersâ?? Association has testified that the passage of such a bill would only make law enforcement more difficult because farmers might hide illegal marijuana in their legal hemp fields. I could be wrong, but it seems like this association is either admitting that theyâ??re too incompetent to do their jobs correctly, or theyâ??re making the case for the legalization of marijuana so that theyâ??re not forced to make the distinction. Either way, I say let the layoffs begin.

California Considers Hemp Pilot Program - The Largest Minority


California considers hemp production
SACRAMENTO, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Police are concerned farmers would grow marijuana if California allows the production of industrial hemp, it was reported Monday.

A proposed law would establish a five-year pilot program in four California counties and define "industrial hemp" as separate from marijuana under the state's health and safety code, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Unlike marijuana, hemp has less than 1 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, rendering it ineffective for drug use. The United States is the only industrialized nation where hemp is not an established crop, the Chronicle said.

Hemp cultivation is illegal under U.S. federal law and drug enforcement police fear farmers would hide illegal marijuana in their legal hemp fields, the newspaper reported. The California Narcotic Officers' Association has testified repeatedly against the passage of hemp bills, saying it would only make law enforcement more difficult.

Hemp is used in soaps and lotions and can be converted into fully biodegradable plastics.

NewsDaily: TopNews -- California considers hemp production

One step for man, one giant leap for American-kind.

If this goes through, expect a great "State's Rights" Battle! Or is the DEA going to arrest Arnold? And for that matter Richardson (New Mexico)? This could be fun! - Granny:hippy:

Go hemp!

I hope they approve it. Hemp's a really good resource.