First Federal Industrial Hemp Bill to Be Introduced in Congress This Month

WASHINGTON, DC — On June 23, Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) will introduce the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, a bill that would allow states to regulate industrial hemp farming while freeing U.S. farmers from federal restrictions on this versatile and profitable crop.

U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, the number-one-selling natural soap, Interface, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial carpet and carpet tiles, FlexForm Technologies, an Indiana company whose natural fiber materials are found in 1.5 million cars, Alterna, a professional hair care company whose hemp products are beloved by Julia Roberts and other celebrities, and adidas USA which has been selling hemp sneakers since 1995. Although hemp grows wild across the U.S., a vestige of centuries of hemp farming, the hemp for these products must be imported.

According to “Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity,” a 2005 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, “farmers in regions of the country that are highly dependent on a single crop, such as tobacco or wheat, have shown interest in hemp’s potential as a high-value alternative crop…” (Read the report here.)

Shaun Crew of Hemp Oil Canada reports that Canadian hemp farmers are profiting $200-250 (Canadian) per acre growing hemp seed for the natural and organic food and body care market. Clifford Spencer, Chairman of the Springdale Group that is spearheading a hemp-growing program in the U.K., says farmers there make $350 (U.S.) profit per acre when they harvest seed and fiber simultaneously.

There is widespread support among national organizations for a change in the federal government’s position on hemp. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) “supports revisions to the federal rules and regulations authorizing commercial production of industrial hemp.” The National Grange “supports research, production, processing and marketing of industrial hemp as a viable agricultural activity.”

Numerous individual states have also expressed interest in industrial hemp. Twenty-six states have introduced hemp legislation and six (Hawaii, Montana, Kentucky, North Dakota, West Virginia and Maine) have removed barriers to its production. Rep. Paul’s bill would allow laws in these states regulating the growing and processing of industrial hemp to take effect.

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Vote Hemp is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow hemp commercially.

Lakota, Once Encouraged by U.S. Government Treaty to Grow Hemp, Fight to Do So Again

PINE RIDGE, SD — This week, Vote Hemp and the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, supporting members of the Lakota Nation in their attempt to grow industrial hemp on their land. The brief illustrates how the U.S. government, following the advice of a ‘hemp entrepreneur’ named David Myerle, used ‘agricultural pursuits,’ specifically industrial hemp, to entice the Lakota to settle on the reservation in the mid-1800s.

Despite the fact that the Lakota were growing hemp when they entered into treaties with the U.S. government in 1851 and 1868, the federal government filed a civil suit against Alexander White Plume, Percy White Plume and others in the U.S. District Court in South Dakota, seeking a permanent injunction to prevent them from growing industrial hemp without permission from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). (The DEA tightly restricts non-psychoactive industrial hemp farming in the U.S. as if it were the same as drug/medical marijuana.) Late last December, the court granted the government’s motion for summary judgment. Two Kentucky hemp companies, Madison Hemp & Flax, 1806, Inc. and Tierra Madre, LLC, also filed an appeal in the case because they had contracts to purchase the White Plume hemp crops.

“The District Court completely ignored relevant Indian law, the treaties, the Constitution and the significance of the Myerle Papers when they granted the government’s motion for summary judgment,” says David Frankel, attorney and Vote Hemp board member who is working on the Lakota case. “Because federal Indian law allows tribes to continue doing something today that they were doing at the time they signed treaties with the U.S. government, the Lakota have an excellent chance at reversal,” adds Patrick Goggin, who was the hemp industry’s local counsel in the landmark case Hemp Industries Association v. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Since the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council passed an ordinance in 1998, allowing people to grow low-THC industrial hemp on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, both Alexander and Percy White Plume have attempted to grow industrial hemp there. After each attempt, the DEA destroyed the industrial hemp crop after obtaining a court order.

To read more about the White Plume case and download the Vote Hemp and HIA amicus brief, please click here.

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California Assembly Agriculture Committee Puts Industrial Hemp Bill on Two-Year Track

SACRAMENTO, CA — Yesterday the California Assembly Agriculture Committee declined to bring to a vote the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act, AB 1147, putting the bill on a two-year track. Any future hearing this year on the bill that would have reintroduced industrial hemp farming to California agriculture will be at the discretion of the Chair of the Agriculture Committee. Activism and organizing on the issue will continue.

Many California hemp business owners and supporters testified in support of AB 1147 and were introduced by Assemblyman Mark Leno. Speakers included: David Bronner, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, based in Escondido, San Diego County; Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association, based in Sonoma County; Vanessa Bogenholm, VB Farms, Chair of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF); and Dr. Gero Leson, Principal, Leson & Associates, Berkeley, CA. No opponents of the bill testified before the committee.

“California farmers are always looking for new crops. AB 1147 will enable them to meet the rising intrastate market for hemp created by the growing number of California businesses that make and sell hemp-based foods, fibers and cosmetic products,” Vote Hemp’s Sacramento lobbyist Michael Greene says. “The California Industrial Hemp Farming Act will enable California businesses to buy hemp grown by California farmers rather than importing hemp from Canada, Europe, China and the many other hemp-producing countries.”

Thousands of local businesses, organizations, individuals and farmers are backing new industrial hemp legislation that would give California farmers the right to grow low-THC varieties of hemp. Supporters of AB 1147 include: 1,300 members of the California Certified Organic Farmers; 199,546 members of the Sierra Club of California; City and County of San Francisco; Vote Hemp; 200 member companies of the Hemp Industries Association; North American Industrial Hemp Council; 50,000 California members of the Organic Consumers Association; Organic Ad Advisors; Alterna; Nutiva; Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Knoll Farms; Rainforest Action Network; Environmental Wholesale Products; Sweetgrass Natural Fibers; Hempy’s; Hemp Traders; Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company; Burcaw Chiropractic; Robinson’s Health Products; Luvland Farms Lavender; Alice’s Mountain Market; CDM Corp; Heavenly Low Carb; PAD; J. Ginsberg & Associates; LivingFoods.com; Eagle Trust Union; Center for Healing; New Hope Natural Media; Salon Charisma; Whole Balance; Raw 4 Real; Hemp Sisters; Malu Healthcare; The Living Temple; StrictlyHemp.com; Eco Goods; French Meadow Bakery; and EnvironGentle.

In 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration did not have the authority to regulate the sale of hemp food products. AB 1147 would be the first legislation since this court victory to clarify that California state law allows growing of hemp within the state of California.

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California Considers Industrial Hemp Bill

SACRAMENTO, CA — Thousands of local businesses, organizations, individuals and farmers are backing new industrial hemp legislation (AB 1147) that would give California farmers the right to grow low-THC varieties of hemp. On Wednesday, April 27 at 1:30pm in Room 444, supporters of AB 1147 will testify at a California Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing.

WHO: CA Assembly Agriculture Committee. The following individuals will speak in favor of AB 1147:

David Bronner, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, based in Escondido, San Diego County
Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association, based in Sonoma County
Vanessa Bogenholm, VB Farms, Chair of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
Dr. Gero Leson, Principal, Leson & Associates, Berkeley, CA
Michael Greene, Principal, CDS Consulting, Sacramento, CA

WHAT: Hearing on hemp farming bill, AB 1147, introduced by Assemblyman Mark Leno

WHERE: California State Capitol, Room 444

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27 at 1:30pm

“California farmers are always looking for new crops. AB 1147 will enable them to meet the rising intrastate market for hemp created by the growing number of California businesses that make and sell hemp-based foods, fibers and cosmetic products,” Vote Hemp’s Sacramento lobbyist Michael Greene says. “AB 1147 will enable California businesses to buy hemp grown by California farmers rather than importing hemp from Canada, Europe, China and the many other hemp-producing countries.”

Supporters of AB 1147 include: 1,300 members of the California Certified Organic Farmers; 199,546 members of the Sierra Club of California; City and County of San Francisco; Vote Hemp; 200 member companies of the Hemp Industries Association; North American Industrial Hemp Council; 50,000 California members of the Organic Consumers Association; Organic Ad Advisors; Nutiva; Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Knoll Farms; Rainforest Action Network; Environmental Wholesale Products; Sweetgrass Natural Fibers; Hempy’s; Hemp Traders; Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company; Burcaw Chiropractic; Robinson’s Health Products; Luvland Farms Lavender; Alice’s Mountain Market; CDM Corp; Heavenly Low Carb; PAD; J. Ginsberg & Associates; LivingFoods.com; Eagle Trust Union; Center for Healing; New Hope Natural Media; Salon Charisma; Whole Balance; Raw 4 Real; Hemp Sisters; Malu Healthcare; The Living Temple; StrictlyHemp.com; Eco Goods; French Meadow Bakery; and EnviroGentle.

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Oregon Considers Industrial Hemp Farming Bill

SALEM, OR — Business leaders, farmers and legislators in Oregon are backing Senate Bill 294, legislation that would bring back hemp farming for the first time in almost 50 years. The Oregon Senate Environment and Land Use Committee will hold a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, April 6 at 3:00pm in Hearing Room B. The bill would permit production and possession of industrial hemp and trade in industrial hemp commodities and products, and would create a licensing, permitting and inspection program for growers and handlers of industrial hemp. Five representatives from the hemp industry will testify before the committee.

WHO: Oregon Senate Environment and Land Use Committee

The following industrial hemp advocates will testify in support of Senate Bill 294:

Carolyn Moran, founder of Living Tree Paper, a Eugene, OR company that uses industrial hemp in its products
Monte Matthews, from University Lip Balms, a Eugene, OR company that uses hemp oil in its products
Patrick Goggin, attorney for Vote Hemp and the hemp industry in the landmark Hemp Industries Association v. Drug Enforcement Administration case
Sue Kastensen, founder of Sun Dog Body Care, now partnered with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, the top-selling natural soap in North America
Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA)

WHAT: Hearing on hemp farming bill, Senate Bill 294, introduced by Senator Floyd Prozanski

WHERE: 900 Court Street NE, Hearing Room B

WHEN: Wednesday, April 6 at 3:00pm

Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit confirmed that industrial hemp is legal to import for any use in Hemp Industries Association v. Drug Enforcement Administration; however, their ruling had no impact on farmers that want to grow industrial hemp for profit. This year, Oregon is one of four states considering industrial hemp legislation that would allow farmers and researchers to grow industrial hemp. Since 1995, twenty-five states have considered legislation supporting industrial hemp and 14 states have passed hemp-related laws and resolutions.

“Industrial hemp has become a lucrative crop for farmers in Europe, Canada and Asia, so farmers here are asking ‘Why are we being left out?’” says Patrick Goggin, legal counsel for Vote Hemp. For thousands of years different varieties of Cannabis have been cultivated for non-drug uses such as paper, canvas, body care products, food, building materials and recently high-tech bio-composites used in automobiles. Hemp and marijuana come from different varieties of the Cannabis plant.

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State Hemp Legislation Making Advances

WASHINGTON, DC — Vote Hemp, a non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of industrial hemp, is excited by recent advances made in four state legislaturesconsidering hemp legislation this year that would allow farmers and researchers to grow industrial hemp. In California, New Hampshire, Oregon and North Dakota business leaders, farmers and legislators are backing legislation that would bring back hemp farming and support research almost 50 years after the crop was taken away from farmers who grew the versatile plant for centuries. See more on industrial hemp at https://www.votehemp.com.

Recent advances in state hemp legislation include:

North Dakota — VICTORY! On March 9 the Governor John Hoeven signed House Bill 1492 which directs the North Dakota State University to start storing “feral hemp seed” in preparation for the day in which it becomes legal to grow industrial hemp under federal law. The vote in the House was 87-3 and in the Senate was 46-0. In 1999, North Dakota was the first state to pass hemp farming legislation but to date has not challenged federal supremacy over the issue in the courts.

New Hampshire — House Bill 55-FN-A — PASSED HOUSE “floor fight” on March 23 by a margin of 199-168 after coming out of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. The bill will now be heard anytime by the House Finance Committee before going on to the final House floor vote, and then will go on to the Senate for their consideration. If passed and signed into law it would let farmers apply for a state license to grow industrial hemp. Qualifying farmers must have no criminal convictions and plant at least five acres per year. Only hemp seed that was sold to farmers by the New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture would be approved for planting to ensure only low-THC varieties of the plant are grown.

Oregon — Senate Bill 294 — HEARING SET for April 6 in the Oregon Senate Environment and Land Use Committee at 3:00pm in room B. The bill would permit production and possession of industrial hemp and trade in industrial hemp commodities and products. The bill would authorize the State Department of Agriculture to administer a licensing, permitting and inspection program for growers and handlers of industrial hemp.

California — Assembly Bill 1147 — HEARING SET for April 27 before the California Assembly Agriculture Committee. If passed, AB 1147 would give farmers the right to apply for a state license to grow low-THC varieties of hemp. The law would be similar to regulations on industrial hemp in other countries such as Canada and the European Union. The University of California would also conduct research on industrial hemp.

“Industrial hemp has become a lucrative crop for farmers in Europe, Canada and Asia, so farmers here are asking ‘Why are we being left out?'” says Alexis Baden-Mayer, Director of Government Relations for Vote Hemp. For thousands of years different varieties of Cannabis have been cultivated for non-drug uses such as paper, canvas, soap, food, building materials and recently high-tech bio-composites used in automobiles.

Hemp and marijuana come from different varieties of the Cannabis plant. “Because there are millions of cars on the road with hemp door panels, tens of millions of dollars spent annually on hemp food and hemp body care, and hemp paper is being made in the U.S., people are asking tough questions about why the U.S. government won’t distinguish low-THC hemp from high-THC drug varieties. I believe there will be federal legislation soon to address needed reforms,” says Baden-Mayer.

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Hemp Farming Legislation Gaining Momentum

WASHINGTON, DC — Vote Hemp, a non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of industrial hemp, believes that four state legislatures are likely to pass legislation this year that would allow farmers and researchers to grow industrial hemp. In California, New Hampshire, Oregon and North Dakota business leaders, farmers and legislators are backing legislation that would bring back hemp farming almost 50 years after the crop was taken away from farmers who grew the versatile plant for centuries.

“Hemp farming has become a lucrative crop for farmers in Europe, Canada and Asia, so farmers here are asking ‘Why are we being left out?'” says Alexis Baden-Mayer, Director of Government Relations for Vote Hemp. “The states considering hemp legislation this year are serious about the issue despite the federal government’s de-facto ban on hemp cultivation that stems from misguided marijuana prohibition. Regardless of the federal ban, state legislators are listening to farmers and business owners who think the federal restrictions are not based on scientific arguments — and actually hurt U.S. economic interests since it is legal to import, process, sell and consume hemp seed and hemp fiber products.”

For thousands of years different varieties of Cannabis have been cultivated for non-drug uses such as paper, textiles, soap, food, building materials and more recently high-tech biocomposites used in automobiles. Hemp and marijuana come from different varieties of the Cannabis plant. “Because there are at least 1.5 million cars on the road with hemp door panels, tens of millions of dollars are spent annually on hemp food and hemp body care, and hemp paper is being made here in the U.S., people are asking tough questions about why the U.S. government won’t distinguish low-THC hemp from high-THC drug varieties. I believe there will be federal legislation soon to address needed reforms,” says Baden-Mayer.

Highlights of State Hemp Legislation

Over the past decade at least twenty-five pro-hemp bills have been considered by state legislatures and fourteen have become law. Five states (Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia) allow for hemp farming on a commercial or research basis.

Bills being considered this year include:

California — Assembly Bill 1147 would give farmers the right to apply for state licenses to grow low-THC varieties of hemp. The law would be similar to regulations on industrial hemp in other countries such as Canada and the European Union. The University of California would also conduct research on industrial hemp.

New Hampshire — House Bill 55-FN-A would let farmers apply for a state license to grow industrial hemp. Qualifying farmers must have no criminal convictions and plant at least five acres per year. Only hemp seed sold to farmers by the NH Commissioner of Agriculture would be approved for planting to ensure only low-THC varieties of the plant are grown.

North Dakota — House Bill 1492 passed the House on February 16, passed the Senate on March 1, and is awaiting action by the Governor. HB 1492 allows North Dakota State University to start storing “feral hemp seed” in preparation for the day it becomes legal to grow industrial hemp in the U.S. The vote was 87-3 in the House and 46-0 in the Senate. In 1999 North Dakota was the first state to pass hemp farming legislation, but to date the state has not challenged federal supremacy over the issue in the courts.

Oregon — Senate Bill 294 permits production and possession of industrial hemp and trade in industrial hemp commodities and products. The bill authorizes the State Department of Agriculture to administer a licensing, permitting and inspection program for growers and handlers of industrial hemp.

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Hemp Farming Bill to be Introduced in California

Sacramento, CA — California business leaders, farmers and legislators will offer their support for a new industrial hemp farming bill (AB 1147) at a press conference on Feb. 23 at 9:00am in the California State Capitol, room 1190. The press conference, hosted by Assemblyman Mark Leno, sponsor of the legislation, will feature various California-based hemp businesses and outline why passage of the bill will help farmers and California’s economy.

WHO:

Assemblyman Mark Leno, 13th District (San Francisco)
Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association (Occidental)
David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (Escondido)
John Roulac, President of Nutiva (Sebastopol)
Representatives of Whole Foods Market and other speakers to be announced

WHAT: Press Conference on New Industrial Hemp Legislation (AB 1147)

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 9:00am

WHERE: California State Capitol, Room 1190, Sacramento

From natural soap to healthy foods, a variety of “Made in California” hemp products will be available to the public and media to sample. In addition, a wide variety of hemp products from around the world will be on display. Two of the California hemp companies to speak at the press conference will disclose how many thousands of acres of hemp they already support in other countries to supply their businesses, all of which could be grown in California.

This is the second time an industrial hemp bill has been introduced in the California legislature. In 2002, a hemp research bill (AB 388) passed both the Assembly and Senate only to be vetoed by then Gov. Gray Davis. “In 2002 we were very close to achieving hemp legislation,” says Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association which represents over 300 member companies. “We hope that our Governor, who was born in a country where hemp farming is legal, will sign the legislation to the benefit of California’s economy and environment.”

Support for hemp farming in California goes back to 1999 when resolution HR 32 was passed by the Assembly. If the new hemp bill becomes law, farmers would be able to apply for state licenses to grow hemp. The law would be similar to regulations
on industrial hemp in other countries such as Canada and the European Union.

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Court Orders Drug Enforcement Administration to Pay Hemp Industry Plaintiff’s Legal Bills

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — U.S. COURT of APPEALS for the NINTH CIRCUIT — The main fiscal sponsor of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) landmark court victory against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) protecting sales of hemp foods in the United States learned this week they won another legal battle. Ruling under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the DEA to pay $21,265 to Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps to compensate them for a portion of their legal fees in HIA v. DEA.

“The EAJA allows an award of attorneys fees in this situation only where the court finds the Government’s position was not ‘substantially justified,'” said Joe Sandler, HIA’s counsel in the case. “By making this award, the Court has basically decided that DEA’s attempt to outlaw hemp foods never had any real legal merit.”

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps uses hemp oil in all their soaps and also makes AlpSnack, an organic hemp food bar which has become popular since the legal battle ended in September 2004. “We are very pleased to recoup a portion of the costs associated in fighting off the DEA’s illegal attempt to ban nutritious hemp seed,” said David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. “We plan to use the money to fund industrial hemp studies in Canada as well as legislative efforts to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp in the United States. Ultimately our interest in hemp is in the fiber as an alternative to old-growth timber for paper and construction composites; however, hemp seed for foods on account of its omega-3 content is the immediate market driver building the necessary economies of scale.” Dr. Bronner’s has pledged $100,000 this year to hemp-related projects, and in general devotes at least a third of before-tax income to various progressive charities and causes.*

Hemp Foods are Safe and Nutritious — DEA Rules Were Ridiculous!

Hemp seed is one of the most perfect nutritional resources in all of nature. In addition to its excellent flavor profile, the seed meat protein supplies all essential amino acids in an easily digestible form and with a high protein efficiency ratio. But most importantly, hemp seed and oil offer high concentrations of the two essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 in perfect balance. EFA’s are the “good fats” that doctors recommend as part of a healthy, balanced diet. This superior nutritional profile makes hemp nut (shelled seed) and oil ideal for a wide range of functional food applications and as an effective fatty acid supplement. Not surprisingly, hemp nut and oil are increasingly used in natural food products, such as breads, pretzels, frozen waffles, cereals, nutrition bars, meatless burgers and salad dressings.

Eating Hemp Food Does Not Interfere with Workplace Drug-Tests

U.S. hemp food companies voluntarily observe reasonable THC limits similar to those adopted by European nations and Canada. These limits protect consumers with a wide margin of safety from workplace drug-testing interference (see hemp industry standards regarding trace THC at http://www.testpledge.com). The DEA has hypocritically not targeted food manufacturers for using poppy seeds (on bagels, muffins, etc.) even though they contain far higher levels of trace opiates. The recently-revived global hemp market is a thriving commercial success. Unfortunately, due to Drug War paranoia, the DEA confuses non-psychoactive industrial hemp varieties of cannabis with psychoactive varieties, and thus the U.S. is the only major industrialized nation to prohibit the growing of industrial hemp.

* A current focus is a recovery/development project in Sri Lanka headed by Gero Leson, D.Env., a key consultant to Dr. Bronner’s and the U.S. and Canadian hemp industries generally. Dr. Leson works on environmental and sustainability projects worldwide. Familiar with Sri Lanka through his ongoing cooperation with the country’s coconut fiber industry, he and German colleagues initiated the project “Second Aid”. It helps rebuild the livelihood of coastal families with small enterprises, which were destroyed by the recent tsunami, for example by giving interest-free microloans to fishermen, repair shops and canteens.

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New Congressional Research Service Report Available on Industrial Hemp

WASHINGTON, DC — Earlier this month, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) issued a new report on the industrial hemp marketplace and legislative efforts to allow hemp farming in the United States. “Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity” is a comprehensive report on the status of U.S. industrial hemp policy and highlights the fact that we are the only developed country to ban farmers from growing non-psychoactive industrial varieties of Cannabis.

The report may be viewed online at:
www.VoteHemp.com/PDF/CRS_Hemp_Report.pdf

The report features background on the current situation, data on foreign hemp production and U.S. consumption, analysis of the legal situation regarding hemp foods, and a review of economic studies. “We are very pleased the Congressional Research Service has issued this report and hope that members of Congress will conclude from the research that the U.S. is falling behind other developed nations on industrial hemp cultivation and technology,” says Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. “I believe we will see federal legislation introduced this year to allow farmers to grow non-psychoactive hemp for the first time since the 1950s.”

According to the CRS report, “For centuries, the plant species Cannabis sativa has been a source of fiber and oilseed used worldwide to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products. Currently, more than 30 nations grow industrial hemp as an established agricultural commodity. About 14 of those sell part of their production on the world market.” It goes on to say, “No legislation to legalize hemp has been introduced to date at the federal level. Some states, however, have considered a variety of initiativeswith increasing frequency, especially since 1995. Between 1995 and 2002, 53 bills were introduced in state legislatures, and 25 of those passed, according to the 2002/2003 report of Vote Hemp, one of the industry’s trade groups. Currently, at least 14 states have hemp-related laws in effect, Vote Hemp reports.”

“Farmers are asking, if it’s legal to import and sell hemp products here in the U.S., why can’t we grow hemp here in the U.S.? Automobile parts, paper, clothing, food, personal care products and more are all being made from hemp, yet the American farmer is left out of the expanding marketplace, now estimated at more than $200 million in annual North American retail sales,” says Steenstra.

In February of 2004, the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) won its three-year legal battle against the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) misguided attempt to ban safe and nutritious hemp foods. The market for hemp seed and oil products that the DEA tried to eliminate is now among the fastest-growing in the natural products industry, which itself is among the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy.

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