Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Oregon farmers could soon add another crop to the more than 250 already grown in the state - industrial hemp - cannabis sativa used to make a wide range of products including food, clothing and rope.
Although legal in the state since the 2009 passage of Senate Bill 676, growers faced penalties because hemp remains illegal under federal law.
All that may soon change on both the local and federal levels.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture wants to have state rules establishing definitions, grower permitting processes and fees in place by Feb. 2, according to spokesman Bruce Pokarney in Salem.
"The idea is to get the crop in the ground this spring," he said.
Pokarney said about 10 persons testified during a recent Rules Advisory Committee for Industrial Hemp meeting.
The committee consists of potential growers and handlers of industrial hemp; representatives from Oregon State University and Oregon State Police; and staff for Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland.
The committee's job is to write regulations that will allow industrial hemp production while meeting state laws. It will also assist in the planning, inspection and testing program, which will be paid for through grower fees.
Proposed is a $1,500 fee for a permit that would be good for three years.
Oregon and other states may also receive assistance on the federal level due to the bipartisan efforts of Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, and Republican senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015 would make it legal for U.S. farmers to cultivate hemp, like any other crop.
It would remove hemp from the Schedule I controlled substance list under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and define it as a non-drug, as long as it contained less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, the ingredient that produces a high when marijuana is smoked or ingested.
"The U.S. ban on hemp farming is an outrageous restriction on free enterprise and does nothing but hurt economic growth and job creation," Wyden said when he introduced the bill earlier this month. "Our bipartisan, common sense bill is pro-environmental, pro-business and pro-farmer. Congress must act to empower farmers and boost economic activity across the country. As I've always said, if you can buy it in Oregon, you should be able to grow it in Oregon."
Senator Merkley added, "Industrial hemp has the potential to fuel jobs and research here in Oregon, and the federal government shouldn't be standing in the way."
According to the senators, the United States is the world's largest consumer of hemp, but remains the only major industrialized country that bans its production.
Oregon and Kentucky are among 20 states that have already defined industrial hemp as distinct from marijuana and have removed barriers for its production. But growers must seek federal waivers if they want to conduct research or have pilot grow programs.
But mid-valley farmers already have a leg up on other producers, since Oregon State University has offered an online course called WSE 266 Industrial Hemp for the last five terms. Nearly 200 persons from around the world have taken the course, with 153 graduates so far, according to lead instructor Anndrea Hermann of Manitoba, Canada.
Students have ranged in age from 18 to senior citizens and live anywhere from the United States to Japan.
The class is offered through OSU's College of Forestry as part of its Wood Science and Engineering studies focusing on renewal resources.
Professor John Simonsen helped organize the class and said industrial hemp is already a $500 million per year market in the U.S. alone, based on hemp imports.
According to Simonsen, this is the only course in the world that's offered as an actual three-credit class.
"We tried to get the best experts we could from around the world," he said. "We have 26 guest speakers from all over – South America, Europe, Canada, the U.S."
Simonsen said the class involves about 90 hours of classroom lecture.
"It's been successful so far," Simonsen said. "We hope to grow the curriculum on campus. It's kind of a chicken and egg thing right now."
Simonsen said the course is introductory and covers everything from how to grow industrial hemp, botany, genetics, and hemp's uses from human and animal food, body care products, building products, clothing and cordage.
A sampling of course segments include: the ancient history of hemp up to 1812 and the modern history of hemp up to WWII; anatomy and botany; pharmacological properties of cannabis; current status of hemp use; how to grow hemp; introduction to breeding genetics; processing hemp for grain; fiber processing; use of hemp grain; hemp body care and cosmetics; paints, sealers and coatings; fiber and textiles I and II; hemp paper; and bioenergy.
Industrial hemp was grown extensively during World War II to produce rope for military use and has a history dating back centuries for textiles, boat sails and cordage.
"We've found that the university actually had interest in hemp product research as far back as the end of the 19th century," Simonsen said. "Hemp is being rediscovered for the modern world."
Instructor Anndrea Hermann became interested in industrial hemp production more than 20 years ago, when she was a student at Missouri Southern State University in her hometown of Joplin, Missouri.
In fact, as part of a general studies degree, she majored in Hemp Ecolonomics, a term coined by former actor and university alumnus Dennis Weaver, who was also a staunch environmentalist. She also has a master's degree in Hemp Agronomy from the University of Manitoba and numerous other accreditations.
Hermann said ecolonomics is based on looking at a subject through four scopes of interest: sociology, economics, political science and biology.
"Those four areas have to be in play to create sustainability," she said.
The instructor is quick to point out that, "I don't pretend to be an expert in all things industrial hemp, nor am I an expert in biocomposition or nano-technology. We have brought in 26 lecturers to provide information. It's been great fun and it's amazing to interact with students from places like North Dakota, Connecticut, Minnesota and Ireland."
Hermann added that it's especially gratifying to see the students take what they have learned during the 11-week course and incorporate that knowledge into their communities. "They are using the information to make themselves employable," she said. "That's why we go to school, isn't it?"
She also hopes the course will drive continued research.
Hermann has lived in Canada – where marijuana is legal – since 2004. "Now I'm bringing that knowledge about a legitimate industry to the U.S.," she said.
And, the course dispels many misconceptions about growing industrial hemp, such as the idea that three to four crops per year can be grown.
"Actually, because industrial hemp is photo light sensitive, growers can expect one crop per year like other crops," she said. "Light controls hemp's growth cycle, when it flowers, etc."
Hermann said research could also answer questions such as:
"Researchers in Vermont thought hemp would likely be used for oils or food, but found the actual market was for organic bedding for livestock," Hermann said. "Without the farmers, we don't have an industry. They are of the utmost importance. At the end of the day, they have to be able to make money. They aren't going to cultivate a crop without increasing their farm gate income."
She said hemp is not a threat to other industries.
"It can work within multiple industries, but no industry should feel threatened," Hermann said. "We will still need wood to build with. Hemp isn't going to replace wood."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon moves closer to industrialized hemp production
Author: Alex Paul
Contact: alex.paul@lee.net
Photo Credit: Anndrea Hermann/Oregon State University
Website: Albany Democrat-Herald
Although legal in the state since the 2009 passage of Senate Bill 676, growers faced penalties because hemp remains illegal under federal law.
All that may soon change on both the local and federal levels.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture wants to have state rules establishing definitions, grower permitting processes and fees in place by Feb. 2, according to spokesman Bruce Pokarney in Salem.
"The idea is to get the crop in the ground this spring," he said.
Pokarney said about 10 persons testified during a recent Rules Advisory Committee for Industrial Hemp meeting.
The committee consists of potential growers and handlers of industrial hemp; representatives from Oregon State University and Oregon State Police; and staff for Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland.
The committee's job is to write regulations that will allow industrial hemp production while meeting state laws. It will also assist in the planning, inspection and testing program, which will be paid for through grower fees.
Proposed is a $1,500 fee for a permit that would be good for three years.
Oregon and other states may also receive assistance on the federal level due to the bipartisan efforts of Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, and Republican senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015 would make it legal for U.S. farmers to cultivate hemp, like any other crop.
It would remove hemp from the Schedule I controlled substance list under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and define it as a non-drug, as long as it contained less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, the ingredient that produces a high when marijuana is smoked or ingested.
"The U.S. ban on hemp farming is an outrageous restriction on free enterprise and does nothing but hurt economic growth and job creation," Wyden said when he introduced the bill earlier this month. "Our bipartisan, common sense bill is pro-environmental, pro-business and pro-farmer. Congress must act to empower farmers and boost economic activity across the country. As I've always said, if you can buy it in Oregon, you should be able to grow it in Oregon."
Senator Merkley added, "Industrial hemp has the potential to fuel jobs and research here in Oregon, and the federal government shouldn't be standing in the way."
According to the senators, the United States is the world's largest consumer of hemp, but remains the only major industrialized country that bans its production.
Oregon and Kentucky are among 20 states that have already defined industrial hemp as distinct from marijuana and have removed barriers for its production. But growers must seek federal waivers if they want to conduct research or have pilot grow programs.
But mid-valley farmers already have a leg up on other producers, since Oregon State University has offered an online course called WSE 266 Industrial Hemp for the last five terms. Nearly 200 persons from around the world have taken the course, with 153 graduates so far, according to lead instructor Anndrea Hermann of Manitoba, Canada.
Students have ranged in age from 18 to senior citizens and live anywhere from the United States to Japan.
The class is offered through OSU's College of Forestry as part of its Wood Science and Engineering studies focusing on renewal resources.
Professor John Simonsen helped organize the class and said industrial hemp is already a $500 million per year market in the U.S. alone, based on hemp imports.
According to Simonsen, this is the only course in the world that's offered as an actual three-credit class.
"We tried to get the best experts we could from around the world," he said. "We have 26 guest speakers from all over – South America, Europe, Canada, the U.S."
Simonsen said the class involves about 90 hours of classroom lecture.
"It's been successful so far," Simonsen said. "We hope to grow the curriculum on campus. It's kind of a chicken and egg thing right now."
Simonsen said the course is introductory and covers everything from how to grow industrial hemp, botany, genetics, and hemp's uses from human and animal food, body care products, building products, clothing and cordage.
A sampling of course segments include: the ancient history of hemp up to 1812 and the modern history of hemp up to WWII; anatomy and botany; pharmacological properties of cannabis; current status of hemp use; how to grow hemp; introduction to breeding genetics; processing hemp for grain; fiber processing; use of hemp grain; hemp body care and cosmetics; paints, sealers and coatings; fiber and textiles I and II; hemp paper; and bioenergy.
Industrial hemp was grown extensively during World War II to produce rope for military use and has a history dating back centuries for textiles, boat sails and cordage.
"We've found that the university actually had interest in hemp product research as far back as the end of the 19th century," Simonsen said. "Hemp is being rediscovered for the modern world."
Instructor Anndrea Hermann became interested in industrial hemp production more than 20 years ago, when she was a student at Missouri Southern State University in her hometown of Joplin, Missouri.
In fact, as part of a general studies degree, she majored in Hemp Ecolonomics, a term coined by former actor and university alumnus Dennis Weaver, who was also a staunch environmentalist. She also has a master's degree in Hemp Agronomy from the University of Manitoba and numerous other accreditations.
Hermann said ecolonomics is based on looking at a subject through four scopes of interest: sociology, economics, political science and biology.
"Those four areas have to be in play to create sustainability," she said.
The instructor is quick to point out that, "I don't pretend to be an expert in all things industrial hemp, nor am I an expert in biocomposition or nano-technology. We have brought in 26 lecturers to provide information. It's been great fun and it's amazing to interact with students from places like North Dakota, Connecticut, Minnesota and Ireland."
Hermann added that it's especially gratifying to see the students take what they have learned during the 11-week course and incorporate that knowledge into their communities. "They are using the information to make themselves employable," she said. "That's why we go to school, isn't it?"
She also hopes the course will drive continued research.
Hermann has lived in Canada – where marijuana is legal – since 2004. "Now I'm bringing that knowledge about a legitimate industry to the U.S.," she said.
And, the course dispels many misconceptions about growing industrial hemp, such as the idea that three to four crops per year can be grown.
"Actually, because industrial hemp is photo light sensitive, growers can expect one crop per year like other crops," she said. "Light controls hemp's growth cycle, when it flowers, etc."
Hermann said research could also answer questions such as:
- What varieties of hemp grow best in Oregon?
- Do livestock producers want to use hemp for feed or animal silage?
- What will the market place support? What is needed?
- What type of infrastructure is needed?
- Will there be enough farmers interested to plant a viable number of acres?
- Is there enough profit to make it worth the farmers' while to plant hemp instead of other, more established crops?
"Researchers in Vermont thought hemp would likely be used for oils or food, but found the actual market was for organic bedding for livestock," Hermann said. "Without the farmers, we don't have an industry. They are of the utmost importance. At the end of the day, they have to be able to make money. They aren't going to cultivate a crop without increasing their farm gate income."
She said hemp is not a threat to other industries.
"It can work within multiple industries, but no industry should feel threatened," Hermann said. "We will still need wood to build with. Hemp isn't going to replace wood."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon moves closer to industrialized hemp production
Author: Alex Paul
Contact: alex.paul@lee.net
Photo Credit: Anndrea Hermann/Oregon State University
Website: Albany Democrat-Herald
