Industrial Hemp Farming Act Introduced

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the second time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the U.S., a federal bill has been introduced that would remove restrictions on the cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp.

The chief sponsor of H.R. 1009, the recently introduced “Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007,” is Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and the nine original co-sponsors are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), George Miller (D-Calif.), Pete Stark (D-Calif.) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

There is strong support among key national organizations for a change in the federal government’s position on hemp, according to Vote Hemp, a non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for industrial hemp.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture “supports revisions to the federal rules and regulations authorizing commercial production of industrial hemp.” The National Conference of State Legislatures has also passed a pro-hemp resolution, stated a recent press release from Vote Hemp.

Numerous individual states have expressed interest in industrial hemp as well. Fifteen states have passed pro-hemp legislation; seven (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research. North Dakota has issued state licenses, the first in 50 years, to two farmers so far. Paul’s bill would remove federal barriers and allow laws in these states regulating the growing and processing of industrial hemp to take effect.

More information about hemp legislation and the crop’s many uses may be found at Vote Hemp - Industrial Hemp Information and Advocacy.


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Source: Lancaster Farming
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