The letter below is from Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME 1st District) to Vote Hemp Board Member Tom Murphy in reply to a letter asking that industrial hemp be included in the 2007 Farm Bill.

If you receive a reply from one of your elected representatives please email a copy of it to us at hempinfo@votehemp.com. It will help with our lobbying efforts to know the contents of these letters. We will not publish your address and, if you wish, we will hold your name in confidence as well.

July 10, 2007

Dear Mr. Murphy,

     Thank you for contacting me about the future of industrial hemp and the 2007 Farm Bill. I appreciate hearing from you.

     Since 1970, the production of all varieties of cannabis has been tightly regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has expressed concern that cultivation of the cannabis plant for commercial and industrial purposes would significantly complicate the DEA's surveillance and enforcement activities. However, the versatility of hemp presents unique economic and environmental benefits.

     Congress is currently in the process of revising and reauthorizing the Farm Bill. As you may know, in February 2007 Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act on 2007. H.R. 1009 would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. Additionally, the bill would give individual states the right to regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp. Should the Industrial Hemp Farming Act or related provisions come up for consideration, either independently or in the context of the 2007 Farm Bill, please be assured that I will keep your views in mind.

     Again, than you for contacting me. I hope that you will continue to contact me on issues of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Tom Allen
                 Member of Congress

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