Hemp: Oregon Governor Signs Farming Bill Into Law

[Ganjarden]

Oregon became the 17th state to pass legislation favorable to hemp farming and the ninth state to remove legal barriers to farming the potentially lucrative crop as Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) last week signed into law SB 676, an industrial hemp act sponsored by state Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D). The bill removes all state legal obstacles to growing hemp for food, fiber, and other industrial purposes. Industrial hemp production remains prohibited under federal law.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 46-11 and the Senate by an overwhelming margin of 27-2. It sets up a state-regulated program for farmers to grow hemp.

"I am glad that Oregon has joined the other states that have agreed that American farmers should have the right to reintroduce industrial hemp as an agricultural crop," said Prozanski. "By signing SB 676 into law, which passed the Oregon Legislature with strong bi-partisan support, Governor Kulongoski has taken a proactive position allowing our farmers the right to grow industrial hemp, to provide American manufacturers with domestically-grown hemp, and to profit from that effort."

"Oregon's federal delegation can now take this law to the US Congress and call for a fix to this problem, so American companies will no longer need to import hemp and American farmers will no longer be denied a profitable new crop," said Patrick Goggin, director of the industry lobbying group Vote Hemp. "Under current federal policy, industrial hemp can be imported, but it cannot be grown by American farmers. Hemp is an environmentally-friendly crop that has not been grown commercially in the US for over fifty years because of a politicized and misguided interpretation of the nation's drug laws by the DEA."

Hemp is a member of the cannabis family, but is distinguished from smokeable marijuana by its low THC content and its lanky, fibrous appearance. The Oregon law specifies that industrial hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC. So does pending federal legislation, HR 1866, sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), which would remove low-THC hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and thus the DEA's domain.

According to the industry trade group the Hemp Industries Association, annual retail sales for hemp products in the last year were approximately $360 million. Because of the DEA ban on domestic hemp production, every ounce of hemp used in those products had to be imported.

The eight other states that have removed barriers to hemp production or research are Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia. Oregon joins North Dakota as the only states that do not require farmers to obtain federal permits from the DEA to grow hemp.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Stop The Drug War
Contact: Stop The Drug War
Copyright: 2009 Stop The Drug War
Website: Hemp: Oregon Governor Signs Farming Bill Into Law

[michaelkaer]

This is great. Bit by bit as each state falls, the ones around then fall faster. Since there is no grounds on which the cops can prove it is a drug, there should be no problem. This is one of those time where the state has to go against the feds simply be cause the federal stand on that issue is dead wrong.

[BayAreaStoner]

I heard about this a few weeks ago coz my mama lives up in Oregon and she called me to tell me the good news coz she keeps trying to get me to move up there with her lol... gotta love my mama..

[chillen7]

I love OREGON !!!!~~***

[BWC BayArea]

I believe this could be the beginning of something big!! We already have legal MMJ on the westcoast, next hemp. If it catches here I think we can get legitimate, undeniable attention needed to seriously consider the economic benefits of introducing a new cash crop, a new export. This has the potential to put this country back where it needs to be. I'd love to see Hatti take to hemp farming, that country is turly impoverished. That'd be somethin to see. NE ways.....1st Oregon then Cali (already looks like we got Hawaii). Nice read.

[michaelkaer]

the main reason why Marijuana is illegal is to keep hemp from taking over the the oil/chem/industrial-military complex They do not want it. it means no more wars if there is peace and prosperity for everyone.
a war machine can't have peace breaking out all over the place!

[Tdawgthegreat]

well Looks like I should start growing hemp. Have about 1200 acres of farmland.

[BayAreaStoner]

Its official!! We are leaving for Oregon this weekend and it will be our new home. My mom finally convinced me! lol..

[poker shark]

WOW...big move...congratulations!!!
Oregon is gorgeous!!
Go Ducks!

[quiyettoker]

now will u be growin soon?

[Mr.GreenBudz]

this is a proud day for Oregonians every where