Representatives Barney Frank and Ron Paul Introduce Hemp Farming Legislation

Representatives Barney Frank and Ron Paul Introduce Hemp Farming Legislation


by Vote Hemp. Posted on Friday, April 3 2009

A federal bill was introduced yesterday that, if passed into law, would remove restrictions on the cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp. The chief sponsors of HR 1866, "The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009," Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX), were joined by nine other U.S. House members split equally between Republicans and Democrats.

"It is unfortunate that the federal government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, from competing in the global industrial hemp market," said Representative Ron Paul during his introduction of the bill yesterday before the U.S. House. "Indeed, the founders of our nation, some of whom grew hemp, would surely find that federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained federal government. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to stand up for American farmers and co-sponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act," concluded Paul.

"With so much discussion lately in the media about drug policy, it is surprising that 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 here for over fifty years because of a politicized interpretation of the nation's drug laws by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). President Obama should direct the DEA to stop confusing industrial hemp with its genetically distinct cousin, marijuana. While the new bill in Congress is a welcome step, the hemp industry is hopeful that President Obama's administration will prioritize hemp's benefits to farmers. Jobs would be created overnight, as there are numerous U.S. companies that now have no choice but to import hemp raw materials worth many millions of dollars per year," adds Steenstra.

AdvertisementU.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 two million cars on the road today. 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 now grows wild across the U.S., a vestige of centuries of hemp farming here, the hemp for these products must be imported. Hemp clothing is made around the world by well-known brands such as Patagonia, Bono's Edun and Giorgio Armani.

There is strong support among key national organizations for a change in the federal government's position on hemp. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) "supports revisions to the federal rules and regulations authorizing commercial production of industrial hemp." The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has also passed a pro-hemp resolution.

Numerous individual states have expressed interest in and support for industrial hemp as well. Sixteen states have passed pro-hemp legislation, and eight states (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research. North Dakota has been issuing state licenses to farmers for two years now. The new bill will remove federal barriers and allow laws in these states regulating the growing and processing of hemp to take effect.

"Under the current national drug control policy, industrial hemp can be imported, but it can't be grown by American farmers," says Steenstra. "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. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009 will return us to more rational times when the government regulated marijuana, but allowed farmers to continue raising industrial hemp just as they always had."

- Article from Vote Hemp.

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I love how the politico thinks industrial hemp will mean people are going to hide weed plants amongst the hemp...could anyone think of an easier way to ruin your genetics?

Barney Frank and Ron Paul are our friends... :D

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Originally Posted by FlyGuyOU

I love how the politico thinks industrial hemp will mean people are going to hide weed plants amongst the hemp...could anyone think of an easier way to ruin your genetics?

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Good point!

They grow industrial hemp here in Europe. Regulators come by and take random tests to ensure low thc levels. Works here, why not there?

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Originally Posted by bigtopsfinn

Good point!

They grow industrial hemp here in Europe. Regulators come by and take random tests to ensure low thc levels. Works here, why not there?

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Here, it's a mind-set issue. Prohibition has warped logic over here.

If in a field of hemp one high-thc plant was found, then the entire PROGRAM would be considered a failure by most.

I know, it's sick.

Great that they've finally got a bill on the table. I wouldn't expect it to pass this time but its a start. There's just still too many uneducated congressmen yet for this to pass. All it would take is 5 minutes of reading but I think thats just too much to ask of our congessmen.

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Originally Posted by MdmPele

Barney Frank and Ron Paul are our friends... :D

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true. :jointsmile: its kinda funny if you think about, they are almost the opposite ends of the spectrum politically. It just shows how this is not liberal vs. conservative issue.

Click here to follow along on Thomas. Just search for 'hemp', I found only one result, this bill. I could be wrong, but I would think this could have a shot at passing the House. I'm not sure if the Senate would follow suite or if Obama would sign it but if you look at all the states that have passed their own laws contrary to this federal law, I would think that all those state's reps should support this bill. if not they need to be weeded out. :stoned: :D sorry.


================================================== =
ALL ACTIONS:
4/2/2009:
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E860-861)
4/2/2009:
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
4/2/2009:
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
4/2/2009:
Referred to House Judiciary


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SPEECH OF HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2009

Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act requires the Federal Government to respect State laws allowing the growing of industrial hemp.

Eight States--Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia--allow industrial hemp production or research in accord with State laws. However, Federal law is standing in the way of farmers in these States growing what may be a very profitable crop. Because of current Federal law, all hemp included in products sold in the United States must be imported instead of being grown by American farmers.

Since 1970, the Federal Controlled Substances Act's inclusion of industrial hemp in the schedule one definition of marijuana has prohibited American farmers from growing industrial hemp despite the fact that industrial hemp has such a low content of THC (the psychoactive chemical in the related marijuana plant) that nobody can be psychologically affected by consuming hemp. Federal law concedes the safety of industrial hemp by allowing it to be legally imported for use as food.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that prohibits industrial hemp cultivation. The Congressional Research Service has noted that hemp is grown as an established agricultural commodity in over 30 nations in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act will relieve this unique restriction on American farmers and allow them to grow industrial hemp in accord with State law.

Industrial hemp is a crop that was grown legally throughout the United States for most of our Nation's history. In fact, during World War II, the Federal Government actively encouraged American farmers to grow industrial hemp to help the war effort. The Department of Agriculture even produced a film "Hemp for Victory'' encouraging the plant's cultivation.

In recent years, the hemp plant has been put to many popular uses in foods and in industry. Grocery stores sell hemp seeds and oil as well as food products containing oil and seeds from the hemp plant. Industrial hemp is also included in consumer products such as paper, cloths, cosmetics, and carpet. One of the more innovative recent uses of industrial hemp is in the door frames of about 1.5 million cars. Hemp has even been used in alternative automobile fuel.

It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, competing in the global industrial hemp market. Indeed, the founders of our Nation, some of whom grew hemp, would surely find that Federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained Federal Government. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to stand up for American farmers and cosponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act.

:s4:

This is good guys. Get writing/e-mailing to Obama to tell him to support this bill!

There is a downside...

Ever been in a field of corn, when the wind picks-up, and the pollen starts flying across the valley...? Ever grown gourds, just to fond-out your neighbor is growing a different strain, and your crop comes-out all fucked-up?

The fears of growing cannabis in a field of hemp is real stupid. What happens to cannabis genetics and seedless buds, when the hemp pollen hits your ladies pistols? What happens to the hemp genetics if catching hybrid cannabis pollen? A lose-lose situation for both.

Adding HEPA filters to catch the hemp pollen before it reaches my ladies would be a costly investment I couldn't afford, and buying from seed banks could eventually become hit-n-miss as far as purebred cannabis genetics goes.

In some regions, it might even be the end of sinsemilla. (seedless buds) I guess we could just grow off-season, but it would sure put a dent in crop scheduling, lol.
But as long as it's in someone else's geographic area, or it's mandated to only grow in sealed greenhouses...I think it would be great. :jointsmile:

the cross polination could actually be an up side in some situations. say you have some very potent ladies but they are not resistant to pests and disease or just not a very strong plant adding hemp could actualy give you a strong healthy plant that still packs plenty of punch.

heres another idea lets put all of our males outside rather than sentancing them to an early death so that they will polinate their females and now that crappy hemp may just be able to get you high.

i just cant beleive that people here are bitchin about a step in the right direction for the cause. we been workin the medicinal value angle for 20 years now lets start on the indutrial and agricultural aspect and soon we will have full blown de-crimalization.

in the words of john kay: DONT STEP ON THE GRASS SAM

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Originally Posted by yokinazu

heres another idea lets put all of our males outside rather than sentencing them to an early death so that they will polinate their females and now that crappy hemp may just be able to get you high.

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i think that is their fear, probably why its still prohibited. :D they think we will stealthly convert all those fields of ferel hemp . :stoned: well you know . . . hmmmm :detective1: :jointsmile:

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Originally Posted by yokinazu

the cross polination could actually be an up side in some situations. say you have some very potent ladies but they are not resistant to pests and disease or just not a very strong plant adding hemp could actualy give you a strong healthy plant that still packs plenty of punch.

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Sure. If you want to grow 10 foot tall plants with internodes every 18 inches...that taste like straw, and doesn't even get you high enough to think hemp will be the pathway to cannabis legalization.

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Originally Posted by yokinazu

heres another idea lets put all of our males outside rather than sentancing them to an early death so that they will polinate their females and now that crappy hemp may just be able to get you high.

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Wonder how long it would take the farmer to find your sabotage, and call the authorities. Scheduled testing of the crop would reveal your felony by the next spring, and doubtful the farmer would share your enthusiasm over contaminating his genetics with an illegal cannabis grow. Matter of fact, being a punk like that has a tendency to drive another nail in the cannabis legalization coffin. Think karma. Think...period.

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Originally Posted by yokinazu

i just cant beleive that people here are bitchin about a step in the right direction for the cause. we been workin the medicinal value angle for 20 years now lets start on the indutrial and agricultural aspect and soon we will have full blown de-crimalization.

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A step in the right direction for whom? Hemp has nothing to do with legalizing cannabis, and I'd be pretty friggin pissed if I had to protect my ladies from permanent contamination from the hemp farm down the road.

Common sense and medical need have had enough of an effect to allow us this forum, but my guess is that the prison issue and taxes, will be the quickest and most permanant path to decriminalization.

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Originally Posted by Rusty Trichome

. . . A step in the right direction for whom? Hemp has nothing to do with legalizing cannabis, and I'd be pretty friggin pissed if I had to protect my ladies from permanent contamination from the hemp farm down the road. . . .

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yeah, I see your point, that it would suck if the farmer down the road started growing hemp right next an outdoor garden. I still support this bill, tho. It is just kinda, well, retarted that the US has to import hemp if we want to use it in food, etc. Plus, unrelated to hemp or cannabis, this bill is about States Rights. A really good way to start out the new term, maybe even start a trend. :s4:

I have nothing against the hemp bill...just...not in my back yard, lol. :thumbsup:

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and buying from seed banks could eventually become hit-n-miss as far as purebred cannabis genetics goes.

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I don't quite understand this point...How many U.S. seedbanks are around? All the seedbanks I know of are in other countries, countries that already have hemp legalized. If it hasn't happened by now...;)

Another interesting side effect would be the rise of Cannaboids that have been bred out of most of the commercial seeds available. Cannaboids that have shown to be beneficial to medical patients, but have been thrown to the wayside while seed hucksters go after higher and higher THC amounts.

Anyway, in my state it is impossible to grow outdoors and get sensimilla because of all the feral hemp that is growing in the ditches, so this will have absolutely no effect on states like mine, but the amount of money saved from having to import hemp, money kept in this country and jobs created is worth it, imho.

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Originally Posted by Fencewalker

I don't quite understand this point...How many U.S. seedbanks are around? All the seedbanks I know of are in other countries,

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Gee. That's weird...there's a seed bank sitting right here in my home, ready to go. Just need a few fancy seed-packs for marketing, and I'm ready to rock-n-roll. (clones would take a bit longer, but I'll bet I could join forces with the local nursery to help with start-up and operating costs.) :jointsmile:

I know that if it were legalized...I'd have a strain or two on the market, and I's start registering/copywriting some others. As would virtually all growers in the USA with the knowledge and skills to market their products. Within two weeks, I'd have my website converted, and within a month would be makin' profit. Plus, foreign sources will likely become obsolete, as Obamanomics raises the tarrif's to unprofitable extremes.

Within two weeks of legalization, the USA would be saturated by growers and wanna-bee's.

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Originally Posted by MdmPele

Barney Frank and Ron Paul are our friends... :D

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Barney Frank is a bag of shit with a face!

my buddy has 17 acres, and he dreams of cultivating legal cannabis...yet he supports industrialized hemp.

i told him that if hemp is grown in our area (and it would be) that he better start dreaming of 17 acres of greenhouses, with ultra hepa filters to filter his intake.

nice thing... we won't have to worry about smelly exhaust.

industrialized hemp...double-edged sword.
great for most, but not so great if YOUR garden is nearby.

hemp seeds dropped into national forests would kink the cartels' grows.

hemp would free up corn to become a food again.

to ban the production in the USA of a crop that can house, feed, and improve the quality of millions of humans' lives seems cruel.

i never thought i would "get behind" Barney Frank, but he and Dr. Paul seem to be leading the charge on this subject, and legal/medicinal cannabis.

i don't think it is a question of IF, but WHEN we have legal hemp AND cannabis. Which will arrive first???

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Originally Posted by haole007

hemp seeds dropped into national forests would kink the cartels' grows.

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Not a good recommendation. Finding their grow locations, and scattering the hemp seeds may sound like a harmless prank...but the cost of pulling a harmless prank could easily escalate into you never being seen again. Those guys don't play well with other's. :(