The letter below is from Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD 3rd District) to a Vote Hemp supporter in reply to a letter asking him to become a sponsor for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009.

Rep. John Sarbanes
(D-MD 3rd District)

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 name or address and hold them in confidence.

December 4, 2009

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 1866, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. I appreciate hearing from you and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

H.R. 1866 would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of "marijuana." It would also grant states, which currently regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp, exclusive authority in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding to determine whether any such plant meets the definition of "industrial hemp." Currently, H.R. 1866 has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Energy and Commerce, a committee on which I am fortunate to serve. I will be sure to keep your views in mind should the Committee or the full House of Representatives consider this or other relevant legislation in the future.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance on any issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John Sarbanes
Member of Congress