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U.S. Reps. Jared Polis, D-Colo., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced an amendment to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 that would allow colleges and universities to grow and cultivate industrial hemp in states where it is already legal without fear of federal interference.
The amendment passed the House today by a vote of 225 to 200.
"Industrial hemp is an important agricultural commodity, not a drug," Rep. Polis said. "Many states, including Colorado, have demonstrated that they are fully capable of regulating industrial hemp. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. The first American flag was made of hemp. And today, U.S. retailers sell over $300 million worth of goods containing hemp – but all of that hemp is imported, since farmers can't grow it here. The federal government should clarify that states should have the ability to regulate academic and agriculture research of industrial hemp without fear of federal interference. Hemp is not marijuana, and at the very least, we should allow our universities – the greatest in the world – to research the potential benefits and downsides of this important agricultural commodity."
Nineteen states have passed pro-industrial hemp legislation including Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
"Because of outdated federal drug laws, our farmers can't grow industrial hemp and take advantage of a more than $300 million dollar market. We rely solely on imports to sustain consumer demand. It makes no sense," Blumenauer said. "Our fear of industrial hemp is misplaced – it is not a drug. By allowing colleges and universities to cultivate hemp for research, Congress sends a signal that we are ready to examine hemp in a different and more appropriate context."
Conchita Cruz, a spokeswoman for Polis, said the bill passed in the House "will go to conference committee and we will work with allies in the Senate to have it included in a final package."
The Drug Enforcement Administration has been lobbying against efforts to legalize hemp. The federal cops say hemp and marijuana are so similar that hemp legalization would complicate law enforcement efforts.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: boulderijournal.com
Author: Staff Report
Contact: Boulder iJournal | Contact
Website: Polis: Hemp is 'an agricultural commodity, not a drug'
The amendment passed the House today by a vote of 225 to 200.
"Industrial hemp is an important agricultural commodity, not a drug," Rep. Polis said. "Many states, including Colorado, have demonstrated that they are fully capable of regulating industrial hemp. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. The first American flag was made of hemp. And today, U.S. retailers sell over $300 million worth of goods containing hemp – but all of that hemp is imported, since farmers can't grow it here. The federal government should clarify that states should have the ability to regulate academic and agriculture research of industrial hemp without fear of federal interference. Hemp is not marijuana, and at the very least, we should allow our universities – the greatest in the world – to research the potential benefits and downsides of this important agricultural commodity."
Nineteen states have passed pro-industrial hemp legislation including Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
"Because of outdated federal drug laws, our farmers can't grow industrial hemp and take advantage of a more than $300 million dollar market. We rely solely on imports to sustain consumer demand. It makes no sense," Blumenauer said. "Our fear of industrial hemp is misplaced – it is not a drug. By allowing colleges and universities to cultivate hemp for research, Congress sends a signal that we are ready to examine hemp in a different and more appropriate context."
Conchita Cruz, a spokeswoman for Polis, said the bill passed in the House "will go to conference committee and we will work with allies in the Senate to have it included in a final package."
The Drug Enforcement Administration has been lobbying against efforts to legalize hemp. The federal cops say hemp and marijuana are so similar that hemp legalization would complicate law enforcement efforts.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: boulderijournal.com
Author: Staff Report
Contact: Boulder iJournal | Contact
Website: Polis: Hemp is 'an agricultural commodity, not a drug'
