cannabisnews.com: State Considers Legalizing Hemp State Considers Legalizing Hemp Posted by CN Staff on April 10, 2005 at 07:12:49 PT By Nate Pardue Source: Foster's Daily Democrat New Hampshire -- Depending on who you ask, legalizing industrial hemp will either capitalize on an uncharted market or will make it easier to put drugs in the hands of children. Ossipee Police Chief Richard Morgan expects the worst.“Legalization of hemp is really a backdoor attempt to legalize marijuana. You’re going to increase the supply, which will lower the prices. That will give kids more access to it. It’s ridiculous,” said Morgan. The debate gained momentum late last month, when the New Hampshire House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill that would allow farmers to grow hemp.The bill was approved by a 199-168 vote and forwarded to the Senate. A hearing is to be held by the Senate Environment and Wildlife Committee on April 19.Hemp is known for its strong fiber and can be used to make clothing, rope, body care products and paper. The Declaration of Independence, as advocates like to point out, was drafted on hemp paper.Supporters have argued that hemp has been unfairly characterized as marijuana when it is in fact a harmless material — some characterize trying to get high on hemp like trying to get drunk on nonalcoholic beer. Others, such as Morgan, fear industrial hemp legalization would “hamstring” the ability of law enforcement officials to control marijuana production.“A person could drive through town with a bunch of green, leafy plants in the back, and as long as they have a permit, I couldn’t even establish probable cause to question them,” said Morgan.Both marijuana and hemp are scientifically categorized as cannabis sativa, and are considered close relatives. The main difference is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in both. THC is the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana has an average THC count of 3 percent. Industrial hemp contains a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less.In drafting the bill, state legislators argued industrial hemp “can serve to improve the state’s economy and agricultural viability and that the production of industrial hemp can be regulated so as not to interfere with the strict regulation of controlled substances.”Farmers would have to obtain a license from the state’s commissioner of agriculture to grow or process hemp. The state would be the sole supplier of hemp seeds to farmers.The hemp could only be grown with approval from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, which some critics have said would render the state’s new law useless.J. Lisbeth Olimpio, one of the four state representatives who sponsored the bill, said the new law actually makes it more likely the DEA would approve an application to grow hemp.“It doesn’t guarantee it, it just opens the door,” said Olimpio, who represents Wakefield, Brookfield and Effingham in Carroll County.A number of other safeguards were also added.For example, farmers would be required to destroy any byproducts of hemp growth, including flowers and leaves, and would be strictly prohibited from selling them.Licenses could be denied or revoked if the seller has any controlled drug-related criminal offenses within the past 10 years or if deemed a threat to public safety.Representatives of the commissioner’s office would have the right to test hemp samples to ensure the levels of THC are within legal limits.Supporters have also spoken of the bill’s economic benefits.The state would establish a special revenue fund under the new law meant to help offset the cost of implementing the program.Growers would have to pay a $25 license application fee, renewable after 24 months. There would be an additional annual charge each growing season equal to $5 an acre of land under cultivation, with a minimum fee of $100, plus an amount sufficient to cover crop sample testing.Persuading The DoubtersSwaying the skeptics will probably have to wait, should the bill become law, until people can actually see the benefits of hemp, say supporters.“The people fixed on the idea that marijuana is hemp, I’m not going to change their mind,” said Olimpio.The District 5 representative supports hemp use because it can be used to build products like roof shingles, clothing, and ropes.A 12,000-year history of growth illustrates that hemp has a proven track record, she said.“It grows wildly all over and nobody is picking it. Why can’t farmers sell this product?” said Olimpio.Olimpio feels it’s unfair to compare marijuana to hemp because people would not be using hemp for illegal purposes, noting that many stores across the state already sell goods made from hemp.One of those stores, Herbal Path in Dover, has a selection of goods made strictly from hemp.For the nutrition guru, Herbal Path offers hemp fiber for its high levels of complex protein and low carbohydrates.There’s also an array of handbags, briefcases, camera bags and notebook covers, all made from hemp.Most of the products are shipped to the store from Canada, but the new law could make the items more accessible locally.Cindy Hebbard, a herbalist and health educator at Herbal Path, said the staff tries to educate people on the differences between hemp and marijuana.Hemp is a durable material that can be used to make any number of goods, said Hebbard. She has strong feelings towards those who are concerned marijuana could become legal next.“This is a completely different plant. It does not produce THC. I think that’s a ridiculous fear,” said Hebbard. “Anyone who says something about this being the next step (to marijuana legalization) has no idea really what this whole thing is about.”Shoppers are sometimes confused themselves about the differences between marijuana and hemp, but questions come more in the form of curiosity and an open-mindedness to try new things.The staff at Herbal Path tries to educated shoppers on the health benefits of hemp in food forms like fiber and hemp seed oil, and its durability in handmade products.In her personal opinion, Hebbard feels legally growing hemp would greatly benefit the state’s farming industry.“Canada has a thriving hemp industry. Our farms are turning into condos and housing developments at pretty alarming rates. I think its a great way to save a number of family farms,” said Hebbard.In Maine, there is no law on the books permitting the growth of industrial hemp.The closest the Legislature has come was the passage of a bill in 2003 that allowed the Maine Agriculture Experiment Station at the University of Maine to explore the feasibility of hemp growth.The study included analysis of required soils and growing conditions, seed availability and varieties, and environmental benefits, among others. No further hemp legislation has since been proposed.No matter what studies take place, Morgan, the Ossipee police chief, strongly believes the similarities between the two are too time-consuming and costly to distinguish.The chief said it was his understanding that, short of laboratory testing, it’s impossible for law enforcement officials to differentiate between marijuana and hemp.If the bill were to pass the Senate, Morgan said he would expect the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police to lobby the governor for a veto — if the lobbying hasn’t started already.“In a perfect world, a legitimate farmer would just grow hemp. This is not a perfect world,” said Morgan.Source: Foster's Daily Democrat (NH)Author: Nate ParduePublished: Sunday, April 10, 2005 Copyright: 2005 Geo. J. Foster Co.Contact: letters fosters.comWebsite: http://www.fosters.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Hemp Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/hls.htmHouse Votes To Allow Farmers To Grow Hemphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20397.shtmlU.S. Hemp Industry Wins Battle with DEAhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20262.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #20 posted by potpal on April 11, 2005 at 20:32:15 PT something fishy links.. Oily fish 'hope' for Alzheimer's... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4434085.stmOccurrence of "omega-3" stearidonic acid (cis-6,9,12,15- octadecatetraenoic acid) in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed http://mojo.calyx.net/~olsen/HEMP/IHA/iha03208.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on April 11, 2005 at 09:26:02 PT potpal That is really ok. I only wanted to post a comment because a number is missing now and I don't want people to think I remove posts just for the heck of it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by potpal on April 11, 2005 at 09:22:47 PT Thanks FOM Sorry for my fat fingers... [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 11, 2005 at 08:23:20 PT potpal I went ahead and removed the extra post. I wanted to mention it so no one thinks I'm removing a comment. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by potpal on April 11, 2005 at 07:45:06 PT Hemp Hill, NH Welcome back to the future. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by stoner spirit on April 11, 2005 at 06:15:42 PT: Growing hemp I hope laws for hemp and marijuana get thrown out. Just legalize the hole thing, hemp and marijuana, that is. The police need to go after the rapests, murderers, and robbers, not those that are doing a good thing for the patients, and the rest of society. If this fight gos on and on, we will all get tired of this "War on Drugs.", and abandend the hole thing, it takes away alot of our freaking hard erned money. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by mayan on April 11, 2005 at 03:17:00 PT Ignorance,Prejudice,Fear “Legalization of hemp is really a backdoor attempt to legalize marijuana. You’re going to increase the supply, which will lower the prices. That will give kids more access to it. It’s ridiculous,” said Morgan.The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not permit the cultivation of industrial hemp. The hemp growing nations have no such problems. Are they so much smarter than we are? Morgan has insulted the intelligence of all Americans.“A person could drive through town with a bunch of green, leafy plants in the back, and as long as they have a permit, I couldn’t even establish probable cause to question them,” said Morgan.Never mind the murderers,rapists,child molesters,thieves and terrorists. We must stamp out the dreaded devil-weed and all who would partake in it's green leaves. If the cops can't tell leafy,lanky hemp plants from sticky nuggets they should be canned anyway.Insanity. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by The GCW on April 10, 2005 at 20:05:24 PT Police should police and get off the pot. NOTE:"New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police to lobby"It may be helpful to have a list of all police types lobbying... It is growing.Police are trying to influence law and policy that effects American farmers being able to compete against commies!Does that make the police worse than commies?Prison industrial complex / Police type unions are not looking out for America and are in fact doing great harm to Our great country.We must increase the exposure of this scorge.THCUPolice should police and get off the pot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 14:54:00 PT Fast growing industrial hemp When industrial hemp becomes a billion dollar industy, all those who think it is a form of marijuana will think differently. Hemp pancakes are supper good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 10, 2005 at 14:31:42 PT PainWithNoInsurance We have good roof ventilation thank goodness. When they replaced the roof last year the plywood was in excellent shape and we only had to replace one small section of plywood where water leaked in around the chimney. I'll be so glad when Hemp can be marketed without stumbling blocks. It might take a little longer but maybe it will actually happen. I'm sure cities will be in the forefront and rural areas will have to wait until it becomes established in more progressive areas then where we live. We still have a hitching post for the horses at our local grocery store. We are way behind the times.A Good TV program tonight to watch on The Discovery Channel.Super Volcano:http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/supervolcano/supervolcano.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 14:19:09 PT FoM Don't forget the ventilation in the attic or your new shingles will curl from too much heat.Try hulled hempseed in branflakes, sugar, and milk for breakfast. It is so good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 10, 2005 at 14:07:35 PT PainWithNoInsurance You're right about ventilation and hemp. I was just looking and I think I see where the damage is. I was hoping we could get by for a year or two after the roofs without any major financial output but when it rains it pours and when it pours you get termites! LOL!I got to laugh or I'd cry and I don't like crying. I look at it this way. It could always be worse. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 13:55:58 PT FoM I make sure my house breaths with plenty of ventiltion. When a crawlspace or basement isn't vented properly it grows black mold and stinks like hell. It makes it's way up into the house and the humidity is very uncomfortable. That black mold is not good to breath either. Hemp is a blessing from god.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 10, 2005 at 13:21:10 PT PainWithNoInsurance That is an interesting link. It is moisture that attracts termites. I never had anything near our house as far as flowers or shrubs until the last 7 or 8 years. Moisture has caused damage at the base of our siding which means lots of money and hard work tearing it all apart and replacing it. At least we got the new roofs on the houses last summer which was also necessary and expensive. The two other houses are fine I hope and that's good. We've removed the shrubs and there will be no flowers this year. I guess you have to count on problems when a house gets older. Thanks again. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 13:02:39 PT FoM I did a search for hemp wood and termites, and saw lots of claims that hemp wood is resistant to termites. I don't know alot about termites but do know when wood gets damp or wet insects love it. I heard mulching next to the house is an invitation for insects.Here is where I got the sample of hemp wood. They sell sheets of it at a pretty reasonable price especially since it isn't mass produced (supprising). They are located in LA. http://www.hemptraders.com/index.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 10, 2005 at 12:33:20 PT PainWithNoInsurance Thank you. We built our own house ourselves back in 79. That was an experience but now all these years later it's time to redo somethings. We recently found swarming termites and we will be needing to do serious work this summer to find the source of the termites. We can't handle being around chemicals very well and I just don't know what is a natural way of controlling them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 12:26:41 PT Hemp wood I have a sample of hemp wood and it seems to be stronger than any wood from trees just as they claim. I ran a nail in it close to the edge of the board, it never split, and held the nail tight. I soaked it in water for a while and it dried right back to its original condition. As far as termites eating it I don't know. I think it would make good wood for any building project. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 10, 2005 at 11:02:42 PT A Question Would hemp used in building material help keep termites at bay? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on April 10, 2005 at 10:59:21 PT Morgan needs to look a little deeper into things Morgan's an idiot, and he doesn't know what he's talking about.The proposed growers fee is idiotic too.Anyone who feels the need can try to stop industrial hemp all they want, but it won't work. Industrial hemp is coming and nobody will stop it. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment