By Elaine Charkowski

HEMP FARMING: LEARNING FROM THE PAST SAVING THE NEXT GENERATIONS’ FUTURE

Hemp is happening—Canadian farmers are growing it once again! This versatile crop could also help American farmers and create thousands of jobs.

Industrial hemp was grown in the thirteen colonies, even George Washington grew it. Today, its economic potential is being rediscovered. Bills allowing test plantings were introduced in Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii. A North Dakota bill (HB 1428) would reclassify industrial hemp (with a maximum three tenths of one percent THC) as a oilseed crop, and allow its cultivation.

See
North Dakota House Panel Backs Removing Industrial Hemp
From The State’s List Of "Noxious Weed Seeds." --
Bill Introduced By Republican; Narks Say Hemp Was Smoked Back In 1960s.

The U.S. and Canada both grew hemp in the past. It was falsely labeled as marijuana and outlawed about 60 years ago due to a misinformation campaign funded by the oil, timber and other industries threatened by competition from industrial hemp. According to HEMPTECH, a global network of hemp industry consultants, more than 25,000 products can be made from hemp!

Unlike its counsin marijuana, industrial hemp is not a drug because it lacks enough THC to produce a high. " Industrial hemp and marijuana aren’t the same thing," said Jeff Gain, chairman of the board of the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Alternative Agricultural Research And Commercialization Corp.

Gain, who also worked for the Illinois Farm Bureau and National Corn Growers Association said hemp could give Midwest economies a boost. " There are concerns about the enviroment. We must have diversity crops like hemp that grow without pesticides," he said. Hemp also out grows persitent weeds like Johnson grass.

Ed Saukkooja of Washington State assessed logs for Weyerhauser for 22 years. He worked in logging camps and mills throughout Washington, Oregon and Alaska. His grandfather Wally was also a logger. As executive director of HempLobby, Saukkooja travels around the country speaking about hemp. Hemplobby provides online lobbying materials and maintains a database of hemp information. Its mission is to inform the public, business community and government about hemp’s economic and enviromental benefits. Hemplobby’s motto is, " Promoting the economy while protecting the enviroment."

As Hemplobby points out, " Washington State’s major industry is logging and timber products including paper pulp. This industry is non-sustainable and has been fading in recent years. Hemp is a natural to replace wood as raw fiber in many products made with wood. Further, hemp growth is beneficial to reclaim and restablize lands which have been over-logged, eroded or over-fertilized." The group educates law enforcement about the difference between industrial hemp and marijuana.

" The Economic Impact of Industrial Hemp in Kentucky," an eighteen month study, was co-written by economics professor Mark Berger, director of the University of Kentucky’ Center for Business and Economic research. Berger said Hemp is a viable crop which can be used in paper products, textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and as a fiberglass substitute. Returns per acre could range from $220 for hemp grown for grain or straw to $600 for raising certified seed for other hemp growers. Though less than the $1000 per acre return from dark, fine-cured tobacco, hemp yeilds higher returns than soybeans, hay, corn, wheat and grain sorghum.

Horse bedding is a lucrative hemp product now manufactured in England. If only ten percent ot thoroughbred owners bought American-made hemp horse bedding, a yearly market for 55,000 tons would be created in and around Kentucky and 300,000 tons in the U.S.

Urge your legislators to legalize non-narcotic industrial hemp-for jobs and our enviroment!

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