Rep. Ron Paul Introduces H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act

[Jacob Bell]

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the fourth time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States over 50 years ago, a federal bill was introduced on May 11, which if passed, will remove restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis. The chief sponsor, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter last week seeking support for H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011. H.R. 1831 is almost identical to H.R. 1866, which was introduced in the 111th Congress in 2009.

"We are pleased to see the re-introduction of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in Congress. Vote Hemp is currently working with a Democratic Senator who is preparing to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in support of industrial hemp farming," says Vote Hemp President, Eric Steenstra. "It is due time for the Senate as well as President Obama and the Attorney General to prioritize the crop's benefits to farmers and to take action like Rep. Paul and the cosponsors of H.R. 1831 have done. With the U.S. hemp industry valued at over $400 million in annual retail sales and growing, a change in federal policy to allow hemp farming would mean instant job creation, among many other economic and environmental benefits," adds Steenstra.

U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a California company that manufactures the number-one-selling natural soap in the U.S. as well as best-selling hemp food manufacturers, such as French Meadow Bakery, Living Harvest, Manitoba Harvest, Nature's Path, Nutiva and Sequel Naturals who make their products from hemp grown in Canada. Sustainable hemp seed, fiber and oil are also used by major companies such as Ford Motors, Patagonia and The Body Shop.

"Public support for industrial hemp farming is growing in leaps and bounds in the U.S.," explains Steenstra. "The second annual Hemp History Week, celebrated from May 2-8, 2011 featured over 550 events in all 50 states. The campaign mobilized the support of tens of thousands of consumers, grass-roots activists and many high-profile celebrities from health and wellness experts to TV and entertainment personalities, professional athletes and renowned musicians."

H.R. 1831 was introduced by chief sponsor Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) with 22 original cosponsors, including Rep. Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Clay (D-MO), Rep. Cohen (D-TN), Rep. DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Farr (D-CA), Rep. Frank (D-MA), Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Kucinich (D-OH), Rep. McClintock (R-CA), Rep. McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Miller (D-CA), Rep. Moran (D-VA), Rep. Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Polis (D-CO), Rep. Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Woolsey (D-CA).

To date, seventeen states have passed pro-hemp legislation, and six states (Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia) have already authorized the licensing of farmers to grow the crop. However, despite state authorization to grow hemp, farmers in these states risk raids by federal agents, prison time and land forfeiture if they plant the crop, due to the failure of federal policy to distinguish oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis (i.e., industrial hemp) from psychoactive varieties.

• Thank You to Rubivroom for submitting this article.

News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
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Website: Rep. Ron Paul Introduces H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act, on Heels of Successful Second Annual Hemp History Week

 

[Odin]

Hope this does well. More reason to vote Ron Paul 2012.

 

[concho dave]

this is good news again coming out of the ron paul arena.you go ron.you have my vote again.

 

[Brinna]

One more reason to write to your congress person asking them to co-sponsor the bill. They do pay attention to letters written to them. They want to be re-elected. I just did this and posted a sample letter in another forum, but here it is again:

Please co-sponsor Ron Paul's Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011 (H.R. 1831), The hemp plant can supply seeds with a complete protein and rich with Omega 3 and other essential fatty acids. The oil can be used as bio-fuel.

The hurds from the hemp stalk can be mixed with concrete for extra-strong hempcrete building materials. The stalk can also be used to manufacture Oriented Strand Boards which are much stronger than the ones made from wood chips.

Fiber from the plant is used in many clothing products, and now we must import this fiber if we want to use it in manufacturing. Hemp can be grown virtually free from pesticides and fertilizer. It improves the soil that it is grown on. It is excellent for preventing erosion.

You can grow enough hemp to build a home (think hempcrete) in six months on less than an acre.

This is a crop that can be grown on marginal lands.

It is insanity that it is banned. Please do something about it.