California Senate Approves Hemp Farming

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version

http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1568.cfm

California Senate Approves Hemp Farming

< =text/>

Bill would allow hemp farming in California 
By Don Thompson 
Associated Press, August 17, 2006 
Straight to the Source 
		  Bill would allow hemp farming in California 

		  By Don Thompson 

		  Associated Press, August 17, 2006 

		   Straight to the Source  

Sacramento, Calif. (AP) -- California farmers could legally grow industrial hemp under a bill approved by the state Senate that distinguishes it from a widely grown distant cousin: marijuana.

Hemp "bears no more resemblance to marijuana than a poodle bears to a wolf," said Sen. Tom McClintock, a Republican. "You would die from smoke inhalation before you would get high."

He said industrial hemp was improperly lumped into the ban on marijuana in 1937 after it had been grown commercially for decades by American farmers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

The legislation, which passed 26-13 and now goes back to the Assembly, would require that the hemp crop be tested before harvesting to make sure it has only a trace amount of tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, the drug in marijuana.

No matter the concentration of THC, hemp currently can't be legally grown in the United States without a difficult-to-get permit from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill attempts to avoid federal restrictions by requiring farmers to sell the hemp only to California processors to avoid any interstate commerce that could bring federal intervention.

The crop can be used in a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, paper, rope, jewelry, luggage, sports equipment and toys. As food, supporters say it is high in essential fatty acids, protein, B vitamins and fiber.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy has opposed legalizing hemp cultivation, saying hemp crops could be used to hide marijuana cultivation by mixing the two plants in the field.

The Senate debate produced a bumper crop of California stereotype jokes, several aimed at McClintock, an outspoken conservative who carried the bill in the Senate for it author, liberal Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco.

"There must be some mistake," Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, a Democrat, told McClintock, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. "You'll get a parade in San Francisco."

Cheers!

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version
enkigooroo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sensi Advanced Grower Joined: 01 September 2005 Location: Albania Online Status: Offline Posts: 213	Quote Reply Topic: California Senate Approves Hemp Farming Posted: 26 August 2006 at 00:26
	http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1568.cfm California Senate Approves Hemp Farming < =text/> Bill would allow hemp farming in California By Don Thompson Associated Press, August 17, 2006 Straight to the Source Bill would allow hemp farming in California By Don Thompson Associated Press, August 17, 2006 Straight to the Source Sacramento, Calif. (AP) -- California farmers could legally grow industrial hemp under a bill approved by the state Senate that distinguishes it from a widely grown distant cousin: marijuana. Hemp "bears no more resemblance to marijuana than a poodle bears to a wolf," said Sen. Tom McClintock, a Republican. "You would die from smoke inhalation before you would get high." He said industrial hemp was improperly lumped into the ban on marijuana in 1937 after it had been grown commercially for decades by American farmers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The legislation, which passed 26-13 and now goes back to the Assembly, would require that the hemp crop be tested before harvesting to make sure it has only a trace amount of tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, the drug in marijuana. No matter the concentration of THC, hemp currently can't be legally grown in the United States without a difficult-to-get permit from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill attempts to avoid federal restrictions by requiring farmers to sell the hemp only to California processors to avoid any interstate commerce that could bring federal intervention. The crop can be used in a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, paper, rope, jewelry, luggage, sports equipment and toys. As food, supporters say it is high in essential fatty acids, protein, B vitamins and fiber. The Office of National Drug Control Policy has opposed legalizing hemp cultivation, saying hemp crops could be used to hide marijuana cultivation by mixing the two plants in the field. The Senate debate produced a bumper crop of California stereotype jokes, several aimed at McClintock, an outspoken conservative who carried the bill in the Senate for it author, liberal Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco. "There must be some mistake," Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, a Democrat, told McClintock, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. "You'll get a parade in San Francisco." Cheers!

zmokedawg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sensi Advanced Grower Joined: 04 November 2006 Location: Cuba Online Status: Offline Posts: 85	Quote Reply Posted: 09 December 2006 at 19:02
	These are good steps forward, however if it does become legal on the state level it is still illegal on the federal level. Which ultimately means the feds will raid and take and give jail time. The past elections Nevada tried to pass a new law which would make Vegas the Amsterdamn of the States. There would be designated licenced places that (On the state level) could legally sell and use marijuana. And a person could have up to an once of mary in his possesion without jail time. Well the people didnt want it, and even supporters of the "law" did not vote because everone knows that "Big Brother" (The feds) would raid and shut down the "shops" and give out nasty federal prison sentences for breaking Federal laws. Until the U.S. Federal Gov. decides that it is up to the State and the state only, to deal with marijuana laws, it will still be illegal on some level. Look at Alaska, in the State of Alaska, you can grow up to a certain number of plants legally as long as its for personal use. But the Feds can still raid your house, take your plants and arrest and imprison you on a Federal level. The conservative U.S. Gov. has a looonnngggg way to go. To bad it went back to extreme overwhelming right-winged conservative control in the late nineties! Who knows how the US would be by now if its stayed the way it was........ nos vemos