Industrial Hemp

Why it should be legal to grow in the USA

It is ILLEGAL to grow industrial hemp in the USA according to the DEA. Some states have legalized it, but farmers are hesitant to plant the crop, fearful that the Drug Enforcement Agency will come in and plow down half a years work.

What is hemp?

Hemp is NOT marijuana. It is a variety of Cannabis sativa, like marijuana, but has low levels of the psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Why should we grow it in the USA?

HEMP: SUSTAINABLE, BIODEGRADABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY PLANT.

Hemp is used in:
Paper (decreases pressure to cut down more trees)
Clothing (decreases pressure on growing cotton)
Construction materials (in fiberboard and concrete blocks)
Biodegradable plastics
Potential biofuel plant
Food products - it has many essential fatty acids EFAs and a good omega 6 to omega 3 ratio.
SOAP! (and lotions, shampoos, etc) Hemp oil in soap brings moisture to the skin. It is also known for it's healing properties. Apparently it can help with cell regeneration, acne and eczema.

It is also a great rotational crop. When the land is exhausted and depleted of minerals after being used as farm land for a long period of time (example after growing corn), it needs to rest and become healthy again. Many farmers will plant grasses on the exhausted farmland, so that the minerals that were taken out of the soil and up by the corn plant can be replenished. If farmers could legally plant hemp, then they could promote the health of their soils and make a profit selling the hemp to construction companies, clothing companies, etc.

One extra plus: hemp grows well without pesticides and herbicides!

HEMP: SUSTAINABLE, BIODEGRADABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY PLANT.

Let's not import hemp. USA - be self-sufficient. Create jobs. Re-categorize hemp as NOT a drug!

Some interesting websites:
North American Industrial Hemp Council: http://www.naihc.org/
Dr. Bronner's fight for legalization of farming industrial hemp: http://www.drbronner.com/hemp.html