The letter below is from Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR 5th 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. Kurt Schrader
(D-OR 5th 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.

May 17, 2010

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009, HR 1866. I appreciate your thoughts and concerns regarding this legislation.

The Industrial Hemp Farming Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. The act defines "industrial hemp" to be any cannabis plant with a THC concentration below 0.3 percent dry weight. States would have exclusive authority to regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp and determine whether plants meet concentration limits. I do, however, still have concerns about the possibility of misuse and abuse associated with this bill.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary have jurisdiction over this legislation. As HR 1866 makes its way through the legislative process, I will follow it closely and take your concerns into consideration prior to any action.

Thank you again for contacting me and should you have any further questions or concerns, please contact my office by calling (202) 225-5711 or 1-877-301-KURT. To keep updated on my activities, please sign up for my e-newsletter by visiting my website at www.schrader.house.gov.

Sincerely,

KURT SCHRADER
Member of Congress

KS/hd