also try,

www.industrialhemp.net

 www.votehemp.com

 www.hemp4fuel.com

for more information

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I want to thank both of you for giving me some great websites to learn about this issue.  Like I was telling Ted, in 2000 some of us laugh with this thought.  But reading the information on it on care2 groups I begin to see the benefits. 

I am researching on the Farm Bill 2007.  I recently went to the Resources for Global Research put on by the Center of American Progress.  They had a dicussion on alternative fuels, trade and Doha talks in Hong Kong.  Senator Lugar was the guess speaker and he talked about the Farm Bill 2007.  I came across the hemp petition and realize it was almost 2006.  Why didn't this get any action?  So I requested this information because I think this will be in the Farm Bill 2007 which will be discussed next year.  

This congress has not been effective.  We have some elections coming up and I think this should be a topic or an issue during the elections.  We need to make aware and educate the new and old representatives.  I noticed with my studies there is a court case that is being discussed.  I noticed that this bill is being held up in judiciary committee or rule committee. 

Today, I am for hemp production.  It took me 5-6 years but with the studies I reviewed on these websites it convinced me that we need to produce hemp. 

1. We have an energy crisis.  In the forum I went to they stress ethanol to be alternative fuel.  But if we increase production of corn then we need more land.  If we do that we will lose carbon in the soil. (Former Senator Tom Daschle at the Resource For Global Growth Forum) We will have to resort to new methods of farming.  Hemp seems to resolve some of these problems if the conclusions of the studies I read on these websites are correct.  I also read that the plant for hemp does grow very well with corn plants.  (Ted correct me if I am wrong or elaborate)

2. If we increase the corn production we increase loan prices which will off set the prices of corn and increase ethanol prices at the pumps making them competive with gasoline prices.  (Congress is reviewing this at a recent agriculture hearing and may have the USDA change this method of loan prices)  If we can mix this with ethanol then we can reduce these prices in theory.

3. I noticed this will generate more revenue for a farmer if done right. This will off set the lost of other products or drought since this hemp plant does have a high tolerance to drought. 

Natalie, I do not know if one of your post have talking points but I really think you should list some talking points or good facts so everyone can use them to educate everyone so we can get this going.  I will sign this petition.  We really need a national debate on this issue. 

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Scott,

If you need anything else I have links to several major state studies and peer reviewed reports as well as some links to other sites. I would also suggest taking a look at "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack Herer. As far as "talking threads go" I'm not sure I know what you mean. Any thread can be discussed. Good luck with your research

~natalie~

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Oh, "talking points" Anyway, I have a group called

 Hopeful Hempsters (hoping to bring hemp back to the mainstream)
 111 members

If you go there you will find a lot of threads with facts to use in discussions (at least in the archives).

   ~natalie~

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Here is a link to read the full "Billion Dollar Crop" article above. It was written by Popular Mechanics in 1937

http://pdxnorml.org/New_Billion_Dollar_Crop_1938.html

~natalie~

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Kyle,

Unfortunately, the fact that hemp does not get you high, is not even close to common knowledge in the United States. The majority of people I talk to don't even really know what industrial hemp is or that there is a difference between it and marijuana before I preach my knowledge. Though more and more are learning about it lately (thank goodness) 

The thing that the law enforcement agencies say about not being able to tell the difference between hemp and marijuana is, of course, a bunch of bull since it is grown completely differently and it is very easy to tell the difference if you are formally trained (or even if you are not).

When people say that hemp legalization is a way to make it easier to grow marijuana or to make it legal, I use the point above (about the different ways it is grown) as well as the points you gave about it cross pollinating and ruining the marijuana crop. Also, people who want to grow and sell marijuana wouldn't want hemp to be legal if it would make it easy for anyone to grow it without getting caught (as the government claims). That would reduce their sales and loose them clients. These are all bogus arguments.

I have never heard a hemp activist use legalizing marijuana in their arguments. That wouldn't make any sense since they are two different issues and would automatically make people say “see, you just want pot.” You are right, it would definitely make the argument confusing. I don’t know who you spoke with, but they don’t sound like true hemp activists to me.

     ~natalie~ 

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Natalie,

What Kyle has told us is what I have been told.  The reason I never thought of hemp products is because I was told it was the same plant and if we let hemp be produced then it is a way to get marijauna leagalized.  I think there is a post on the other group where someone posted an article from the concord monitor in NH where my residence is and explains that.  But NH has excepted it.  There is a store in Keene NH (been there for about three years which is before NH excepted it); which is right outside of Representative Charlie Bass office.  So explaining to people with these lies we might have to have each plant side by side explaining the real facts.  Some people will have to have visual aids since they been told something else.  I have done some research and I have not found this issue on the news.  Want I would like to have is Pro and Cons on 2020 and the history of hemp.  But I check every network and there has been nothing like it.  Now if anyone can think of any cons post them and we will try to resolve them. 

I am going to give one example.  I notice in Canada (it was on one website that has been posted) when a farmer or company has a hemp farm they can not sell the plants or parts.  Now does the farmer or company have a license for hemp production?? If the farmer or company does get caught should there be a fine (how much) or their license taken away?

These are issues that are going to be asked on a judiciary committee.  If we can find problems and solve them or get good ideas we can tell our representatives and hope to get this bill pass quicker.   

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Ted,

This is good information.  Tell Congress that Japan is thinking of growing hemp.  They will pass the bill quickly.  It motivates me.  Does anyone really know why we stop producing hemp??  That will be a good discussion.  I have been reading and after WW II like Natalie's link and some representative speeches on the floor of the house have stated that.  What was the problem and is it still a problem now?  Can we over come the hurdle?

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Thank you very much Scott, for taking a stand against a big machine that is so full of bull. This is needed and has been needed for a very long time. The energy crunch in the 70's needed this. The energy crunch we have now needs it. The things that can be produced from hemp, almost unbelievable.

I just hope you are for real...  

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I want to thank everyone for the information.  I think I am over the learning curve and up to speed.    I really think we have everything on our side. 

I believe we have a lot going for us.  The only problem I see is this bush administration.  I thought that the paper industry would cause problems but 3M has been using hemp fibers in their scotch tapes (http://www.3m.com/intl/kr/img/single/pdf/907.pdf.)  Dupont is studying ethanol or alternative ways.  They actually are almost done their 10 year research finding an enzyme from yeast to ethanol.(Recent event at the Center of American Progress) So they will not be a threat.  They know in order to stay in business they need to look at new technology.  The National Cotton Council is getting heat for the cost of Cotton being high. USDA has dropped loan prices for this year but will this be enough to help the cotton industry. The Federal Election Commission reports do not make sense so I think the money is used for something else but I will have to review closer.  You know Washington you have to see where the money is going.  New FEC reports should be out at the end on January.  I am trying to figure out if say the paper company will not like this idea they will fund a representative to stop it.  I am trying to figure out who is going to be on our side. 

I have to put everything together to take a plan of action.  Does anyone have ideas??

Larry, I have been staying up early in the morning researching.  Lets hope I am real!!!!

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I am going to take the legislative portion for each state to another group where I will be co host. 

Kyle was so right.  Michigan legislation has propose in June of 2005 to fine everyone one who sells one hemp product (and many more) at $5000.  I wonder why this is in the rules or judiciary committee.  I do not think this will happen.  http://judiciary.house.gov/oversight.aspx?ID=211

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/IndustrialHemp  Here is the group

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Thanks Larry,

I am going to do my best.  What I need to know is the legislation text of Illinois.  SR 49 and HR 168.  I can not access them and if I go to the website they do not match with hemp.  votehemp.com states they have passed but what was passed.  Only information on Illinois is AG investigation.  I will get a thread going in the next few days on the other group. 

Thanks again 

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Industrial Hemp has been grown under licence for a couple of years with no major problems.

The farmers love it!... It crops three times each year as opposed to Oilseed Rape or Linseed which crop just twice and it is less damaging to farm machinery reducing maintenance costs.

We came across fields full of it last summer whilst out walking. The piccy is of a friend and his dogs. The crop in the background is Hemp. 

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Scott,

I tried to find some more info on where Illinois stands with hemp and I found a few things but they were not the bills that you were looking for. They were things like state ordered studies and Illinois being mentioned by other states as "pro-hemp."

The United States allows hemp products to be imported at 0.3% THC level. But, you are right, many states are saying 0% THC is all they want to allow in there states. Most low THC strands of hemp come from a company in France that engineers the seeds.

             ~natalie~

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The limit in the EC (European community) is set at 0.2%.

The link provides info on the strict licencing system.

('Set aside' land is farmland taken out of production for a few years to ease overproduction... the farmers are paid for growing nothing!)

  http://iurl.biz/Licence

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Natalie,

I am going to start the discussion on the other group on each state.  I will need that information.  I want to know the problems and what each state legislature is thinking.  This will help people in each state to try to convince them we need hemp. 

For everyone, most bills past at a state level are only experimental.  This is the only way they can get it pass.  This bill needs to go to the DEA for approval.  The samples needs to go to the DEA for approval of concentration in the plant and leaves.  Then the products needs to go to the Health and Human Services and then to the FDA.  There is no clear message from the FDA if these products are safe.  There is some word that hemp oil is same to consume. (if anyone has this information or knows how to get it lets us know) When this is approve then it goes to the Secretary of State for permission on exporting and importing.  They need to fined guidlines then it goes to Congress for a debate. 

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That is interesting.  Canada regulations is .3%.  http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-38.8/SOR-98-156/75615.html#rid-75677  I wonder why at .2%

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I am sorrowed by the recent coal mine explosion, taking the lives of 12 at this point, one is hanging on. Pray for the best.

I must add though, if these thirteen people were hemp farmers, for the creation of anything that can be made from hemp, then obviously they wouldn't have been in that mine, breathing toxic fumes, dust and just plain dangerous conditions. This would be an almost terrible thing to use as an aid toward legalizing hemp, but, at the same time I feel makes a very valid point.

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Larry, I know how you feel.  I have been up late just about every night doing research.  The best idea now is to go to your state legislature to find out the information and what is the problem.  I have emailed the sponsor of NH state legislation to see why it is being held up in the Senate and how they passed it through a republican control house. 

I agree with you about the miners.  In some states, there might not be any legislation to produce hemp but in pipe fittings are require to have hemp products!!!  Georgia http://tomcat2.dot.state.ga.us/thesource/pdf/specs/ss660.html and Alabama http://www.dot.state.al.us/Bureau/Construction/Spec1992/1006(2).pdf. 

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Here are some other states that I have found documents about, showing their interest in industrial hemp:

Colorado

Vermont

Washington

Kentucky

Minnesota

Illinois

Hawaii

California

North Dakota

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This goes back in time a bit, I don't understand why this has not since been pursued as unfinished business, but then again, I can understand, they just don't want to deal with it.

SR 49
The task force;
http://web.archive.org/web/20010516022234/http://www.legis.state.il.us/legisnet/legisnet91/srgroups/sr/910SR0049LV.html
Task force results;
http://www.globalhemp.com/Media/Magazines/Global_Hemp_Magazine/2000/January/il_task_force_report.shtml#Illinois%20State%20Statutes

Hope this helps, probably won't, runnin out of time for today. Gotta go.

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Natalie,

I have started on the other group a thread on each state.  I should finish the infromation tonight.

Larry,

Thanks.  I can not understand why there has been such a delay since 1997, either.  One thing I can think of is the DEA has been lobbying in most states against hemp growing but only in experimental.  But they way the government has it set up like I posted I can see why this has taken so long.  But there was no priority for it and now there is. 

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I want to thank you for your efforts.  In the group, Industrial Hemp - Education, Legislation, Industry, we have been recgonize for hard work.  Lets keep up the good work. 

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=6622&pst=268830&archival=

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Natalie,

Can you post the information on Washington.  I could not find any thing. 

For everyone else,  I can not find any information on Wyoming, Utah, Texas, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio, New York, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Lousiana, Kansas, Florida, Delaware, Connecticut, Alaska and Arizona.  You can post them here and I will then post them on the other group.

Once again thanks

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In a previous post to Natalie on Wednesday at 5:47 I stated

There is no clear message from the FDA if these products are safe.  There is some word that hemp oil is safe (correction) to consume.

Well I have a link from the USDA about Hemp Seeds from 2000 was still not passed by the FDA

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ages001E/ages001Eh.pdf

Here is more publications in 2000  http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ages001e/

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This link is what Congress knows.  This also tells you the history of legislation federal and state levels and the problem with DEA only letting the experimental bills pass.  It does explains some problems we may occur and what other countries make from hemp.   

http://www.votehemp.com/PDF/CRS_Hemp_Report.pdf

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HB 55 died in the Senate.  I recieved an email form the cosponsor of the bill.  He does not know why it died but created HCR 24. 

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2006/HCR0024.html

This does not mention hemp yet but it is in mine.  He also told me to work further on another represenative to work with legislation on Hemp.

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http://www.legis.state.pa.us/2005%5F0/hb2034p2811.htm  

HB 2034  Has been introduced 10/17/2005 in the House with a $5,000 fine when someone sells Hemp Candy.  This bill is in the Judiciary committee. 

Here is another state we really need to work on.

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http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/culinaryconnect/lib/culinaryconnect/exhibitors.pdf

But they have a company that sells hemp foods and the PA Farm Bureau voted unanimously to grow, process, manufacturer and sell Hemp.

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I like how federal and state organizations request Hemp products such as pipe fittings and in this case Hemp rope but we can not legally grow it in the US.

http://www.ok.gov/okohs/docs/DisasterPreparedness_disability.pdf

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Now remember, I said that we need to see both sides.  This might be a minor thing but someone will make it a major reason why not to produce Hemp.  Every plant has an irritation but I do not know how much of the irritation is.  If anyone finds out please post. 

http://www.caes.state.ct.us/FactSheetFiles/PlantPathology/fspp042f.htm Connecticut states Hemp plant causes dermatitis.

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Hey All,

You might want to contact Illinois NORML about Hemp legislation, if you have not already. I know they were working with a farm group here in Illinois to re-introduce a bill here in Illinois.

http://www.illinoisnorml.org/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=2&meid=9

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I just want to apologize for not being around lately. There is a lot going on in both my husbands and my family simultaneously that we are dealing with right now. I will try to be back and more involved as soon as things settle down a bit. Thanks in advance for understanding guys

        ~natalie~

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Let everyone know I have become legislative assistant for a state senator in Virginia.  I have been busy on his campaign. 

I have found some legislation related to Hemp. 

SJ 94 Has passed the Senate.  This is a study of farmland.  There has been a lost of farmland and farmers need income. 

 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=061&typ=bil&val=SJ94

This is an opportunity for Hemp to become and issue.

HB 1182 is a bill in the house that states if .003 milligrams of THC per liter of blood while driving is unlawful. 

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=061&typ=bil&val=HB1182&Submit=Go

Now federal regulations have not been set yet by the Department of Transportation and Health and Human Services.  Virginia and other states are just trying to push some legislation since the federal government has not made a decision.  This is not regarding marijuana but hemp foods or hemp oils. 

I will continue to follow these legislation and make you aware of new legislation or issues on hemp.

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Wow Scott, sorry I haven't checked in this thread in a while, you have written a lot!

 When I mentioned Washington I meant that there was some interest shown, I guess I should have been more specific. Unfortunately, no official work was done there, that I know of anyway.

I still have to read the rest of what you have posted here before I can answer anything else you might be asking. I am glad that you are so interested in working with this. If you have any questions I will do my best to find any and all answers for you.

I have still been working on that pro-hemp article for www.oeom.org. But they wanted me to take a break on it to do some other small projects. I hope to be getting back to it soon.

              ~natalie~ 

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