Welcome to Oaksterdam News Network
Home arrow Volume One arrow V1 Issue 1 arrow Leno introduces new hemp bill
Adjust Text -
Leno introduces new hemp bill PDF Print E-mail
Written by Chris Conrad   
AB 1147 calls for low-THC hemp farming
Assemblyman Mark Leno (SF) stood by a photo of Canadian hemp Feb. 23 to announce his new industrial hemp bill in the California legislature. Members of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and VoteHemp also spoke at the press conference at the state Capitol, along with a farmer and a representative of the organic products industry.
Assemblyman Mark Leno joined industry representatives.
Assemblyman Mark Leno joined industry representatives at the Capitol.
    “Products manufactured with hemp are already a multimillion dollar industry in California, but our manufacturers buy hemp seed, oil and fiber from international farmers” said Assemblyman Leno. “It is time to put California farmers first and not leave them out of the economic benefits of this environmentally sound crop.”
    The bill attempts to circumvent the federal ban on hemp farming by asserting the State’s right to control agriculture within its borders while exporting only items that are legal within federal definitions.
Hemp not psychoactive
    Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown in agriculture for its seed or stalk to be used for home and industrial manufacturing.
    Assembly Bill 1147 would allow farmers to grow hemp as long as the potency of its mature bud would be 0.3% THC or lower. Marijuana-grade cannabis typically has 3% to 10% THC in the flower.
    This is the second time an industrial hemp bill has been introduced in the California legislature. In 2002, a hemp research bill (AB388) passed both the Assembly and Senate only to be vetoed by then Gov. Gray Davis.
    VoteHemp predicts that four state legislatures are likely to pass bills this year to allow farms and researchers to grow hemp, North Dakota, Oregon, New Hampshire, and California, some 50 years after the crop was taken away from farmers who grew the versatile plant for centuries.
    The HIA has been reinvigorated by its recent success with VoteHemp in defeating the DEA effort to ban hemp food products. The groups received notification from the US Department of Justice that it will not challenge a Ninth Court ruling that put a definitive end to the DEA effort to ban safe, legal hemp food and body care products. Hemp foods were a bright spot in product development and consumption until the federal agency attacked them Hempseed oil has one of the highest proportions of omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) to nourish the body and replenish the skin.
    New data show that THC levels in hemp foods dropped significantly after the voluntary “Hemp Pledge” program was introduced.
Surge in food and fiber markets
    With that, a gray cloud of doubt hanging over the industry dissipated and it looks to a sunny future. Stock is returning to store shelves. Canadian farmers plan a big increase in hempseed cultivation, with a focus on organic products.
    Tree-free hemp paper products are expanding into recycled and high-quality print papers, with eco-conscious performers using it for CD covers and posters. The latest wrinkle is that hemp diapers are a growth area since new studies have shown that hemp and flax fibers contain antibacterial and anti-microbial characteristics that reduce the risk of infection.
    Utne Magazine’s September issue had a special section on hemp titled “Hemp is Hip, Hot and Happening ... So Why Are American Farmers Being Left Out?” You can read it online at www.VoteHemp.com.
    Next year’s HIA convention will be in Canada, according to its website, www.hempindustries.org.    
 
< Prev   Next >
V3 Issue 2
Best viewed with:
Get Firefox!