Statement on Hemp History Week by Congressman Ron Paul United States House of Representatives

May 6, 2010 – Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about Hemp History Week. To celebrate the American heritage of growing industrial hemp, the Hemp Industries Association, Vote Hemp, several American manufacturers, and allied companies and organizations have declared May 17 to May 23 to be Hemp History Week. Throughout the week, people will recognize America’s legacy of industrial hemp farming and call for reinstating respect for farmers’ basic right to grow industrial hemp.

Industrial hemp was legally grown throughout our country for many years. In fact, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew industrial hemp and used it to make cloth. During World War II, the federal government encouraged American farmers to grow hemp to help the war effort.

Despite industrial hemp farming being an important part of American history, the federal government has banned cultivation of this crop. In every other industrialized country, industrial hemp, defined to contain less than 0.3 percent THC–the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, may be legally grown. Nobody can be psychologically affected by consuming industrial hemp. Unfortunately, because of a federal policy that does not distinguish between growing industrial hemp and growing marijuana, all hemp products and materials must be imported. The result is high prices, outsourced jobs, and lost opportunities for American manufacturing.

Reintroducing industrial hemp farming in the United States would bring jobs to communities struggling in today’s economy, provide American farmers with another crop alternative, and encourage the development of hemp processing factories near American hemp farming.

Industrial hemp is used in many products. For example, industrial hemp is used in protein supplements, non-dairy milk, and frozen desserts. Hemp flour is in breads, crackers, chips, dips, and dressings. Hemp seeds may be eaten plain or added to prepared foods. Additionally, hemp oil is used in a number of cosmetic and body care products, and hemp fiber is used in cloths. Industrial hemp is also present in bio-composite materials used in buildings and automobiles.

I first introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act (HR 1866) five years ago to end the federal government’s ban on American farmers growing industrial hemp. In this time, the industrial hemp industry has grown much larger. Despite its American history, industrial hemp is the only crop that we can buy and sell but not farm in the United States. The federal government should change the law to allow American farmers grow this profitable crop as American farmers have through most of our nation’s history. Please cosponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act and join me in celebrating Hemp History Week.

Source: Ron Paul.Com

January 5, 2010 – Industrial hemp may see federal legalization soon. States including North Dakota and Montana have been testing its use since the mid-’90s and North Dakota is suing the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for the right to grow hemp. Farmers in North Dakota and Vermont, along with David Bronner (of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps) and representatives of Vote Hemp were all arrested in October for planting hemp seeds on the DEA’s front lawn.

Maine and Oregon legalized industrial hemp in 2009, and North Dakota has been selling growing licenses since 2007. Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced HR1866 – The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009 – in April. The following month it was referred to the House’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (Farmers can be dangerous.)

Growing industrial hemp is illegal on the federal level. According to Vote Hemp, 28 states have introduced hemp legislation and 16 have passed legislation. Laws legalizing it in Hawaii, Kentucky, and New Hampshire were shot down last year, but many states continue to push for legalization. Wisconsin’s bill is “active” and Minnesota’s was “carried” to 2010. Montana, New Mexico, and Vermont’s bills were carried to congressional delegation in 2009. North and South Carolina committed to research in 2006 and 2008, respectively. In 2007, Idaho’s requesting permission from the federal government to legalize hemp farming killed its legalization bill. And Governor Schwarzenegger terminated California’s legalization bill with a veto.

Several states have been studying hemp’s agricultural worth since the mid-’90s. Which seems a little odd insofar as the U.S. government actually subsidized hemp cultivation during World War II. Fibers from particular strands of Cannabis sativa can be made into paper and clothing products, while its oils and seeds are useful for body care and food, respectively. The fiber strands of Cannabis sativa are not psychoactive, as they contain less than 3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is believed that publisher William Randolph Hearst led the charge to demonize marijuana and hemp during the 1930s because he owned large tracts of timber – hemp’s competition in the paper marketplace.

Industrial hemp grows rapidly and creates a canopy that hinders weeds. It’s relatively resistant to insects and has a long growing period (85-150 days) and broad climatic requirements (it could be grown across many of the United States). It depletes the soil less than cotton, and it demands fewer, or no, pesticides and herbicides, making it better for our waterways. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. Henry Ford made cars out of hemp: cannibus carbohydrates worked at least as well than plastic’s petroleum hydrocarbons to the dismay of the petrochemical industry. The current economy and our renewed environmental responsibilities, on the other hand, suggests that industrial hemp’s time may have returned. By Richard Gehr. Source.