cannabisnews.com: Hemp-Legalization Bill Dies In House





Hemp-Legalization Bill Dies In House
Posted by FoM on March 12, 2001 at 06:25:19 PT
By Chaka Ferguson, The Associated Press 
Source: Albuquerque Journal 
A proposal to legalize the production of industrial hemp, a relative of the marijuana plant, failed in the House on Sunday amid criticism that it would be the first step in drug legalization. The measure would have allowed New Mexico farmers to grow hemp that was certified by the state Department of Agriculture, said Rep. Pauline Gubbels, R-Albuquerque. 
Gubbels said industrial hemp under the regulated program would contain scant traces of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol — called THC — the most active ingredient in marijuana. Marijuana normally contains 3 percent to 15 percent or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient, while hemp has 1 percent or less. Gubbels said hemp is a "great crop" that can be grown with little water and would provide struggling New Mexico farmers with an alternative to more traditional crops. The plant could be used in a number of products, including fuel, paper, plastics, textiles and food, she said. "Industrial hemp is a product that was very important to our country many years ago," she said. "If we were allowed to grow industrial hemp, we would cut back on the number of trees we cut down to grow for paper." Opponents of the measure, which failed 37-26, said growing hemp is prohibited by the federal government. They also said the crop wasn't economically viable and could be tinkered with to produce enough THC to produce a high if the plant was smoked. "There is ample evidence that hemp has no marketable value in this country, and the push to legalize hemp is nothing more than the first step in growing of hemp that has far greater THC capacity," Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, said. "This plant has virtually no economic value to this country and has potential danger that is enormous," he added. Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Author: Chaka Ferguson, The Associated Press Published: March 11, 2001Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque Journal Address: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Contact: opinion abqjournal.com Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ CannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by Dan B on March 13, 2001 at 10:02:19 PT:
That's alright, aocp . . .
I'm willing to bet that they won't debate pubically, as well. Frankly, I wouldn't want to have any part of a pubic debate with those prohibitionist rascals, even though I'm sure I'd win.Sometimes these little mistakes can make a person's day. You made mine. : )Dan B
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Comment #13 posted by aocp on March 12, 2001 at 19:05:44 PT:
Whoops!
I meant PUBLICLY, dammit! :p
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Comment #12 posted by aocp on March 12, 2001 at 19:01:32 PT:
Toker00
I like the sound of it, but i love the low jab, so i'd put in there, under your "no trusting of politicians..." who will not pubically debate the subject of cannabis prohibition. Putting up or shutting up is a big thing for me.
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Comment #11 posted by meagan on March 12, 2001 at 16:38:02 PT
Some people are just plain ignorant
Can Gov. J turn over their decision ??"There is ample evidence that hemp has no marketable value in this country, and the push to legalize hemp is   nothing more than the first step in growing of hemp that has far greater THC capacity," Rep. Ron Godbey,   R-Albuquerque, said.    "This plant has virtually no economic value to this country and has potential danger that is enormous," he added. That is because it is illegal moron if it wasn't we would be buying more things made with it.It does not take Einstein to figure that out. People like this are holding up America's progress by obstructing Freedom of Choice. That violates some part of the constitution.
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Comment #10 posted by Toker00 on March 12, 2001 at 14:46:36 PT
Campaign to legalize Cannabis
Attention: Anyone who cares about global warming, needless suffering, polution, starvation, the Bill of Rights, freedom, alcoholism, hard drug addiction, tobacco addiction,alternatives for healthy diets, spiritualism, and the pursuit of happiness. There is one plant that can help with each and every one of these things, but your government won't allow it, and for what reason? Corporate greed and drug war ignorance. Just imagine, these problems can be SOLVED just by simply putting some seeds in the soil. A little water, some good sunlight, and presto! Instant solution. I'm not talking about magic beans. I'm talking about CANNABIS. A plant that this country relied on in the past for fabric, paper, food, and medicine. a plant that with today's technology, could replace polluting petro fuels, plastics, pharmacueticals with dangerous side effects, brain rotting alcohol, and help hard drug addicts rehabilitate themselves. You're afraid of what? Your government? The government that YOU have the power to elect? Prohibition inacted because of the lies told by corporate huggers and racists back in the 30's? Guess what? The truth about this plant has been hidden from you, until now. Now you know how to solve some very big problems. How? Refuse to believe the lies of politians who swear they are for your interests, yet ignore the topic of Cannabis. Don't vote for ANYONE who will not own up to the truth about this plant. YOU have the power to alleviate senseless suffering, reverse global warming, make stronger, softer, more durable fabrics, better medicine, help end hard drug addiction, re-establish your Bill of Rights, and pursue spiritualism and happiness, and end senseless polution, AND, alleviate crime and imprisonment due to the senseless PROHIBITION of this plant. It's up to you. And me. We can bring about a more peaceful nation, a freer nation, and a cleaner environment. Vote out the dead heads who have kept you blind all these years. Vote in a free thinker who TRULY has compassion for his fellow human beings, and the environment. Stop the lies with the truth. Make your choice for public offices address the issue of Cannabis. Or find one who will. Forget party lines. Vote out the fascists. Vote in the freedom fighters. LEGALIZE CANNABIS.Well, Doc?Peace. Realize, then Legalize.  
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Comment #9 posted by NiftySplifty on March 12, 2001 at 13:59:29 PT
I'll pass on the Marlboro Reds...
and take the Marlboro Greens. Swith over to cannabis cigs, guys!Once it's legalized, Toker00 is right that they'd be happy to accomodate the new (legal) market.Nifty...
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Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on March 12, 2001 at 13:00:17 PT:
For Toker-Double-Ought
Why not post a draft here, and we'll make suggestions?
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Comment #7 posted by Toker00 on March 12, 2001 at 12:54:22 PT
Time to kick some ass.
Alright, folks. I don't know about yall,(yes I do)but I have had it up to HERE with these hardheaded prohibitionists. They don't want to legalize HEMP because CANNABIS is an illegal substrance and would make their controlled substance laws complicated to enforce. They don't want to legalize MEDICAL CANNABIS because they have no scientific evidence that it has medicinal value. We all know this is a big crock of caca. They are obviously not listening to us. The difference between hemp and marijuana are too obvious. The medical value of CANNABIS has been known for eons. I say we should put ALL our efforts into legalizing CANNABIS, WITHOUT the half steps of HEMP OR MEDICAL CANNABIS. They will both come about when CANNABIS is legal. They think we are using these two as a stepping stone to legalize CANNABIS anyway, so let's shoot for the obvious. I haven't SEEN much about legalizing CANNABIS. Just the other two. The key word here is SEEN. I say we go on a rampage with a highly visual legalize CANNABIS campaign. I heard a rumor that the tobacco industries might just help out, here. Tobacco is on it's way to being banned. There is proof positive that cannabis is much less dangerous than tobacco. If we can get it legalized, the tobacco companies can just convert to cannabis cigarettes manufacturing. Damn. How simple and obvious is that? I know this is no original idea. But I just had to say something. I feel like a damn kid asking my parents to let me do something, knowing they will say NO. We should not have to ask this freaking government to legalize what is given to us by GOD. This is so dang frustrating. They won't listen to reason, they won't listen to the people. What will they listen to? Think it would do any good to write the tobacco co. execs. and ask them about it? Has anyone done this yet? How do we go about initiating a repeal of Federal law? How do we twist their arms and make them say Uncle? The key has to be a major corporation behind us. Tobacco is the only one I see benefitting from legalization. I'm going to look for a one or two page information pamplet on legalizing CANNABIS, print and distrubute them any and everywhere I can. But it has to be worded so it penetrates even the thickest skulls. Can you guys help me work one up? I'm not too bright in the writing department, and all the ones I have seen are ones on the defensive. I want one that kicks ass. Positive, and offensive.It's great that some STATES have made progress, but until we force the FEDS to reschedule CANNABIS, state laws seem moot. Maybe I'm wrong. How can we get CANNABIS rescheduled, or I guess I mean freaking legalized. I just want to start kicking some ass.Peace. Realize, then FREAKING LEGALIZE!!!!!!
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Comment #6 posted by observer on March 12, 2001 at 08:39:53 PT
''first step in drug legalization''
A proposal to legalize the production of industrial hemp, a relative of the marijuana plant, failed in the House on Sunday amid criticism that it would be the first step in drug legalization. [7.]Policy Options are Presented as Total Prohibition or Total AccessProhibitionists have always characterized themselves as being in a moral/religious battle against evil. This quality of the prohibitionist movements eliminated the option of compromise. The choice as they saw and presented it was total prohibition or total access to the hated drugs. It was not that other methods of controlling use did not exist or would not work; it was the idea that all usage was sinful and must be stopped. Like an ongoing morality play, this same issue gets played out-repeatedly today with a new cast of characters. As bills are introduced to lower criminal penalties for various illicit drugs, one can anticipate any number of legislators standing to attack reduced penalties as an invitation for use and a first step toward legalization of drug X. Themes in Chemical Prohibition, NIDA, 1979http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/ticp.html  
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Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on March 12, 2001 at 08:12:24 PT:
Good luck to your hubby, FoM
Our thoughts go with you.
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Comment #4 posted by SuperStoner on March 12, 2001 at 08:11:25 PT:
contiune
This country seems to be killin its roots more and more every day. Farmers struggle every year to contiune to grow and gain any profit. The government is most corprate orginzation on earth, they have money that belongs to us and control all trade and such. The word Free has no meanin in this country we have turned in to a modern day british empire controling other countrys and causein great injustics to all who live here. We are turning in to britian in so many ways. Rember why our country was founded.... do ya? If you dont here are a few reason and a few things that made it possible.*To escape ethnic and religouse persuicution*To build a nation for the people not corprations*To stand up to what was considered unfair punishment by the tyrant kingit was possible because*People not bound by strict laws who created a strong foundation for our country to prosper on*A new economy base and argiculture of corn, wheat, and tobacco.*The desire to live a unrestriced life, and to make desions based on peoples judgement with out fear of punishmentThis country has destoryed the tobacco industry, is currently trying to break microsoft, and the most dissapointing point ... farmers .. all they do is grow natural crops for consumtion by us. And now that they are shooting down what is apprently a great crop that grows in a lot less time and with alot less needed resources these farmers will soon be exstiniced... how sad... and personal i dont want it to contiune this way. i mean if so many people are gettin arrested for pot then wouldnt that mean that the american people think its ok. i mean think of the voteing power we have 200,000 people and then some who think that the simple act of smokeing a plant is fine.....im sorry this country is on a crash course i predict a stockmarket crash very soon and maybe then people will wake up and start careing... personally i hope it does crash then the government will be focused on fixing that rather than harrassing citizensPeace out and Speak the TruthSuperStoner
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Comment #3 posted by Neutrino on March 12, 2001 at 07:21:18 PT
Progress
Foxy, we can see this glass as half empty or half full. Just two years ago even discussing this issue was unthinkable. We have made major progress and we will win.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 12, 2001 at 07:15:16 PT
Just A Note
Hi Everyone, I'm not sure if I can get anymore articles up until this evening. I will catch up though. My husband has to go to the VA Hospital for more tests and it is not a short drive. I think there are enough good articles to talk about so until then have a nice day!
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Comment #1 posted by greenfox on March 12, 2001 at 07:10:53 PT
See, the problem is this...
Gov. Johnson is on our side, right? Unfort, it does very little when the rest of the state isn't..sly in green, foxy in kind...-gf
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