cannabisnews.com: House Gives Initial OK To Legalized Hemp Industry 





House Gives Initial OK To Legalized Hemp Industry 
Posted by FoM on January 05, 2000 at 21:54:50 PT
By John Toole, State House Bureau
Source: The Union Leader 
House lawmakers yesterday stunned law enforcers by giving initial approval to a bill legalizing the hemp industry in New Hampshire.  Opponents said they would seek to overturn the House decision as soon as this afternoon, while law enforcement officials vowed to renew their fight against the bill. 
"I can't believe it. What a sad state of affairs," Concord Police Chief William Halacy said. "Law enforcement will continue to fight this thing." Hampton Police Chief William Wrenn said he was "disappointed" by the House action.  "We certainly don't feel this legislation serves any legitimate purpose," Wrenn said. "We don't feel this should be legal."  Law enforcement officials oppose legalization of hemp because the plant is a relative of marijuana, although it has a lower content of THC, the chemical that gives pot smokers a high.  The House Environment and Agriculture Committee had recommended study for House Bill 239, permitting development of an industrial hemp industry.  But the bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Derek Owen, D-Hopkinton, convinced the House to reject study, 176-172, and instead pass the bill, 181-167.  The bill is now expected to move to the House Finance Committee and would face a second House vote later.  But Rep. Tony Soltani, R-Epsom, said opponents could ask the House to reconsider the vote this afternoon.  "We might move for reconsideration (Thursday) or wait until it comes back from Finance and fight it," Soltani said.  "Legalizing this stuff sets a bad example for our children," Soltani told House lawmakers during debate.  But Rep. Amy Robb-Theroux, D-Claremont, argued the merits of hemp as a cash crop for New Hampshire growers.  "This bill is about money," Robb-Theroux said, noting Canada growers reaped more than $16 million in the first year after legalization.  Supporters disputed law enforcement views. "This is not a drug you can smoke and get high," Robb-Theroux said.  Deputy state Safety Commissioner John Stephen said law enforcers will continue to press their case at the Legislature in opposing the bill.  "There will be a new hearing in the Senate. We will do the best we can," Stephen said.  "It is marijuana, that's what it is," Stephen said. "We'll continue to state our case." Published: January 6, 2000 The Union Leader & New Hampshire Sunday NewsRelated Article:House Votes To Let Farmers Grow Industrial Hemp - 1/05/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4190.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by Scott on January 06, 2000 at 10:48:49 PT:
Everyone Fax/Email/Write the Union Leader
>"I can't believe it. What a sad state of affairs," Concord >Police Chief William Halacy said. "Law enforcement will >continue to fight this thing." Why? It's hemp. It could possibly save our rainforests by creating a new resource for paper and other valuable products. >Hampton Police Chief William Wrenn said he was >"disappointed" by the House action.Good for him. It's not his job to make the decisions.>"We certainly don't feel this legislation serves any >legitimate purpose,"Well, one paper pulp plant will employ over 700 people and bring in over $27 million dollars.> Wrenn said. "We don't feel this should be legal." Because you're a moron.>Law enforcement officials oppose legalization of hemp >because the plant is a relative of marijuana, although it >has a lower content of THC, the chemical that gives pot>smokers a high. No, it really doesn't. Hemp has another cannabinoid that effectivly shuts off the brains THC transmitters, so the chemical can't effect anything in the brain. It doesn't get you high, unless you consider having a headache and a throat ache a high.>But Rep. Tony Soltani, R-Epsom, said opponents could ask >the House to reconsider the vote this afternoon. There's no reason to. Hemp is more then beneficial to the country.>"Legalizing this stuff sets a bad example for our >children," Soltani told House lawmakers during debate. Keeping it illegal ruins the environment. I wish politicians would shut the hell up with their crappy children excuse. Everything is for the children. >"It is marijuana, that's what it is," Stephen said. "We'll >continue to state our case." "You are ignorant, that's what you are", I said. "You'll continue to be that if you continue to ignore fact."Scott
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Comment #4 posted by Thomas on January 06, 2000 at 08:23:17 PT
Cops
Once again the police confuse their role in society. Their role is to protect and serve, not to attempt to set policy. Didn't Nazi Germany adequately demonstrate the dangers of this conflict of interest?
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Comment #3 posted by greenfox on January 06, 2000 at 08:13:00 PT
spew
...While the fat stay fat and the poor stay poor... and the rich get rich and the cops get paid to look away as the 1% rule everything....Queensryche, mindcrime
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Comment #2 posted by BigAb on January 06, 2000 at 04:12:14 PT:
What a load of crap !
 I wonder how much of the debate AGAINST hemp was conducted "after hours" where the debaters would feel comfortable with liquor in one hand and a cigar or cigarette in the other ? Hypocrites !!!!
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Comment #1 posted by Chris Campbell on January 06, 2000 at 00:59:50 PT:
are RCMP smart or are US LEO's dumb?
subject pretty much says it all, the police here seem to have no trouble distinguishing the two types of plant; not that they should even have to. You are either licensed by health canada to grow the stuff or you aren't.does keeping glue legal for commercial purposes send a bad message to your children as well, since you can also get high by sniffing it? Even this is a bad comparison because you can't get high by smoking hemp.
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