cannabisnews.com: Hemp Bill Plowed Under Hemp Bill Plowed Under Posted by FoM on January 27, 2001 at 07:36:21 PT By Denise Ross, Journal Capital Bureau Source: Rapid City Journal A state legislative committee decided Friday that South Dakota farmers shouldn't grow industrial hemp. Members of the Senate State Affairs Committee said they worry that law enforcement would have trouble distinguishing hemp plants from marijuana."There is a potential risk to society, and we have to weigh the potential benefits to society. I would conclude the benefits aren't there," Sen. Fred Whiting, R-Rapid City, said. "There is not an economic benefit that outweighs the danger to society." Whiting referred to testimony taken Wednesday, where those who want industrial hemp to be a legal crop said the worldwide market was about $500 billion and that the United States imports hundreds of millions worth of hemp products each year. They touted its environmental benefits. The plant doesn't require irrigation, pesticides or herbicides, and it crowds out noxious weeds.Farmers said hemp works well as a plant to capture carbon from the atmosphere, one strategy pushed as a way to ease global warming.Opponents questioned the market and said Canadian hemp businesses had gone broke.The bill would have capped the level of the high-producing ingredient in marijuana — THC — to 0.3 percent, but law enforcement officials would have to perform chemical tests to determine that level, lawmakers said Friday."We put law enforcement in the position of having to be chemical analysts," Sen. Dennis Daugaard, R-Garretson, said. "We have to remember why it was made illegal in the first place. It was difficult for law enforcement to distinguish."Others said states need to take action on the issue to force a national policy to regulate industrial hemp."Let me assure you there will never be a market so long as it's an illegal product," Sen. Paul Symens, D-Amherst, said.States shouldn't outlaw anhydrous ammonia, even though it's a key ingredient in the drug methamphetamine, the country's "biggest scourge," Symens said. "We've made marijuana the bogey-man, and industrial hemp bears the burden."Bob Newland of Hermosa, who supports legalizing marijuana for medical purposes and industrial-hemp production, called the committee action "a tragedy.""I think this is essentially a 10th Amendment issue — states rights," Newland said. "George W. Bush said during his campaign that he was in favor of letting states decide about industrial hemp and medical marijuana." The Legislature had the opportunity to change the state law but did not take it, he said.Sen. Barb Everist, R-Sioux Falls, said the state should pursue research on hemp before it legalizes the crop. The matter is now before the Iowa Legislature, and Everist said South Dakota could act based on Iowa's action before the session ends in early March."Some ideas could float to the surface in terms of cooperative research," Everist said. Other lawmakers suggested hemp be the focus of a summer study committee.You may call reporter Denise Ross at 394-8438 or send e-mail to: denise.ross rapidcityjournal.comSource: Rapid City Journal (SD)Author: Denise Ross, Journal Capital Bureau Published: January 27, 2001Copyright: 2001 Rapid City Journal Address: PO Box 450, Rapid City SD 57709 Fax: (605) 394-8463 Contact: denise.ross rapidcityjournal.comWebsite: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com Related Article & Web Sites:South Dakota Industrial Hemp Councilhttp://www.sodakhemp.org/South Dakota NORMLhttp://www.sodaknorml.org/Poll: SD Favors Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8394.shtmlCannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Ageless on January 29, 2001 at 10:47:34 PT: We should fight.. Marijuana ah what a beautiful word a beautiful plant, It can do so many wonderful things...butShe can't defend herself, she needs our support.My fellow tokers out there...You know who you are and your tired of this Sh**, the same as me...Support your local Marijuana Warriors, thats your area."Don't wish it to happen." Its time to join together and have our voices heard. ALL OF THEM TOGETHER!Lets pull it together FELLOW TOKERS, and soon before things get out of hand. My Plea:This is the only Social Smoke\drug that has never left me felling like dog sh** the next morning (like crack, cristal,herroin, acid, coke.) I've tried them all and Marijane dosen't even come close to doing as much damage as the later, and also beer. I'd rather smoke pot then drink (mind you i'm not bad mouthing beer, alot of my friends drink it.)Yet it can become more debilitating the more you drink as opposed to the amount of THC one can inhail. But I don't always acquire the greatist Jane everytime either.Thanx for reading this out. Not just for the Medical side of things, for the social side to...I don't think we should have to hide behind a medical shield to beable to casually smoke pot or grow it for that matter. Lets cut to the chase we should gather a whole bunch I mean a whole huge gathering in front of the white house and smoke away. A nice peaceful swarm of people TOKEN AWAY. A swarm so big (and theirs enough of tokers to make group) an unarrestable group of Quiet Protester. I know I'm dreaming Ha Ha Ha!This subject just rattles me so much...People we are not children under our parent Government, any choices should be ours. The Gov. should be supporting what we want and need with our moneyWe are not children, Where adults more than capible of choosing whats write and wrong for ourselves.The rest are idiotsSo lets do it. Our group is working to pick up NORML S.D. ,but for now you can recognize us as KaNaBa CoRp.I'm going to see if the ficticius name statement is in the P.O. box today.I hope to recieve word from you Tokers out there. (ha ha Hope) of all things, I now my HOPE will last.This letter is from the Artist of san diego stoners calender. You can reach the Pres. of KaNaBa CoRp. by E-mail.The san diego tokin site is new so make regular site checks!P.S. Thank you Cannabis News sandiegotokin.50megs.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by klm on January 29, 2001 at 10:01:22 PT: alternative to hemp is nettle!!!believe it or not but in Germany we are starting to grow nettle in order to produce a nice fibre!!! The German Hemp Portal [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by sm247 on January 28, 2001 at 00:59:24 PT Those dirty rotton ... Hmmmmmmm reminds me of that song "Sold me down the river" or maybe May 6th all the farmers should sing "Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow..." [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Dan B on January 27, 2001 at 20:57:58 PT: Civil War . . . A Very Real Possibility The government of South Dakota first conducted a survey in which the largest majority on record approved of both medical marijuana and production of industrial hemp. So, they decided to discuss the possibility of creating some bills that the people of South Dakota would favor. But when it came time to actually create those bills, the politicians deliberately and maliciously thwarted the will of the people. I can think of no event in American history that more clearly illustrates the government's complete contempt for its own constituents than this inaction, and it is just about time for the American people to revolt against these folks and their ilk, who continue a disastrous and costly war against their fellow citizens (to whom they owe their jobs, I might add). I'm almost to the point where I want a citizen's uprising. I'd gladly fight these tyrannical bastards in the name of freedom. Freedom. That's a concept these militant government $$#oles can't seem to comprehend.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on January 27, 2001 at 14:13:15 PT Dutz Sooner than they think, my friend. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Duzt on January 27, 2001 at 11:21:41 PT Ignorance is bliss The risk to society??? What risk?? The benifits don't outweigh the risks???????? You will never see ANY government official publicly debate their stance on the cannabis. They don't have an arguement. We are letting these people interfere more and more with our daily lives. Government is controlling what we see on TV, influencing our culture to be how they want it. We might as well live in China. When are the American people going to make a stance against our rights being violated. Hell, what rights do we have?? Freedom of speech??? doubt it, tell a cop you smoke pot, you're not breaking a law in saying that, but watch what happens. We fell that we are free, but try to go a day without breaking some meaningless law. Every new law is one less freedom. I've lived throughout the world and am amazed at how free Americans think they are, but in reality it is one of the most repressive countries in the world (look at the prison population). These farmers need to say to hell with the government, we're going to do what's right, they can't arrest the entire country. If this invasion of our freedoms continues, how long before we have another civil war? http://www.wonderbuds.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Thomas on January 27, 2001 at 07:58:31 PT Wow "We put law enforcement in the position of having to be chemical analysts," Sen. Dennis Daugaard, R-Garretson, said. "We have to remember why it was made illegal in the first place. It was difficult for law enforcement to distinguish."That was the reason Harry Anslinger wanted it outlawed? And I thought it was about racism. Silly me. I didn't realize they had such a problem in the thirties. By the way, what is the risk of some one growing high grade bud amongst the hemp. Actually, there is no risk but an absolute certainty that they will be harvesting a boat load of seeds. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: