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Leno introduces new hemp bill |
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Written by Chris Conrad
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Monday, 11 April 2005 |
AB 1147 calls for low-THC hemp farming
Assemblyman Mark Leno (SF) stood by a photo of Canadian hemp Feb. 23 to announce his new industrial hemp bill in the California legislature. Members of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and VoteHemp also spoke at the press conference at the state Capitol, along with a farmer and a representative of the organic products industry.
 Assemblyman Mark Leno joined industry representatives at the Capitol.
The bill attempts to circumvent the federal ban on
hemp farming by asserting the State’s right to control agriculture
within its borders while exporting only items that are legal within
federal definitions.
Hemp not psychoactive
Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown in
agriculture for its seed or stalk to be used for home and industrial
manufacturing.
Assembly Bill 1147 would allow farmers to grow hemp
as long as the potency of its mature bud would be 0.3% THC or lower.
Marijuana-grade cannabis typically has 3% to 10% THC in the flower.
This is the second time an industrial hemp bill has
been introduced in the California legislature. In 2002, a hemp research
bill (AB388) passed both the Assembly and Senate only to be vetoed by
then Gov. Gray Davis.
VoteHemp predicts that four state legislatures are
likely to pass bills this year to allow farms and researchers to grow
hemp, North Dakota, Oregon, New Hampshire, and California, some 50
years after the crop was taken away from farmers who grew the versatile
plant for centuries.
The HIA has been reinvigorated by its recent success
with VoteHemp in defeating the DEA effort to ban hemp food products.
The groups received notification from the US Department of Justice that
it will not challenge a Ninth Court ruling that put a definitive end to
the DEA effort to ban safe, legal hemp food and body care products.
Hemp foods were a bright spot in product development and consumption
until the federal agency attacked them Hempseed oil has one of the
highest proportions of omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) to
nourish the body and replenish the skin.
New data show that THC levels in hemp foods dropped
significantly after the voluntary “Hemp Pledge” program was introduced.
Surge in food and fiber markets
With that, a gray cloud of doubt hanging over the
industry dissipated and it looks to a sunny future. Stock is returning
to store shelves. Canadian farmers plan a big increase in hempseed
cultivation, with a focus on organic products.
Tree-free hemp paper products are expanding into
recycled and high-quality print papers, with eco-conscious performers
using it for CD covers and posters. The latest wrinkle is that hemp
diapers are a growth area since new studies have shown that hemp and
flax fibers contain antibacterial and anti-microbial characteristics
that reduce the risk of infection.
Utne Magazine’s September issue had a special
section on hemp titled “Hemp is Hip, Hot and Happening ... So Why Are
American Farmers Being Left Out?” You can read it online at
www.VoteHemp.com.
Next year’s HIA convention will be in Canada,
according to its website, www.hempindustries.org.
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Chris Conrad |
| About the author: |
| Staunch supporter of Oaksterdam News
Chris Conrad has studied cannabis (marijuana) since 1988. He has written two books on the topic and contributed to others. Familiar with numerous books and at least 100 scientific studies, such as federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and National Institute on Drug Abuse data. Reported on cannabis dispensaries for California legislators. Consults with government agencies. Testified at National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine hearings. Regularly consults with physicians including some of the world’s foremost authorities on cannabis and patients as to their knowledge and experiences regarding cannabis.
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