cannabisnews.com: Hemp Represents Opportunity for Organic Farmers





Hemp Represents Opportunity for Organic Farmers
Posted by CN Staff on February 26, 2005 at 18:53:28 PT
Newswire
Source: AScribe
Santa Cruz, Calif. -- California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) is the first major agricultural organization to support Assemblyman Mark Leno's (13th District, San Francisco) new industrial hemp bill based on the huge economic potential represented by the production of organic hemp in California. Currently, all hemp products sold in California are grown in Canada or other foreign markets. Assemblyman Leno's bill attempts to bring these revenues into the state while providing a regulatory structure for production and licensing of industrial hemp grown for fiber and seed.
In a move to secure unique economic opportunities for California's organic farmers, CCOF has announced its support of Assemblyman Leno's industrial hemp legislation. To show its support, CCOF participated in a press conference with Assemblyman Leno at the California State Capital on Wednesday, Feb. 23. As one of the nation's oldest and largest organic certification organizations, CCOF has put the full weight of its organization behind this new legislation.    "We contacted many of our growers throughout the state and found that they were excited about this opportunity and welcomed hemp production options for their farms. In a time when business in California is harder than ever and agricultural industries depend on every opportunity, every new crop and income option cannot be ignored. As the certifier of more than 75 percent of California's organic acreage, CCOF welcomes every new legal crop planted in the state," said CCOF's Director of Marketing and International Programs Jake Lewin.    This legislation provides for the legal production of industrial hemp in the state and represents an important move forward for California's consumers, farmers and agricultural community. Currently, numerous hemp-based products are produced in Canada and imported into the state for processing and sale. This bill provides the opportunity to bring the several thousand acres of hemp production to California where farmers can enjoy the income opportunity and rotation crop options.    Because the majority of hemp food products sold are certified organic, CCOF sees this as an important step towards expanding the market viability of organic growers in the state. "CCOF is aware of companies that are ready to develop production contracts with organic growers as soon as this legislation is passed. With the U.S. hemp foods industry poised for dramatic growth, CCOF is pleased to see the courageous actions of Assemblyman Leno, Whole Foods Markets, Nutiva Hemp Foods and all the other organizations that are supporting this legislation," said Vanessa Bogenholm, CCOF Board Chair and owner of VB Farms.    Under the bill, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will oversee hemp production locations and issue specific production permits. Nutiva Hemp Foods, a leading supplier of organic hemp food products, is projecting a need for well over 10,000 acres of contracted hemp acres in 2008. CCOF fully supports awarding these contacts to California's organic growers. Assemblyman Leno's legislation makes this a very real possibility. About CCOF: CCOF, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation's largest and oldest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF's purpose is to promote and support organic agriculture in California and elsewhere through: * A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers. * Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to expand public support for organic agriculture. * Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture. Media Contact: Jake Lewin, Director of Marketing & International Programs, 831-423-2263, ext. 21: jake ccof.org Complete Title: New California Hemp Legislation Represents Huge Opportunity for Organic FarmersSource: AScribe Newswire (CA)Published: February 25, 2005Contact: info ascribe.org Website: http://www.ascribe.org CannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 28, 2005 at 12:54:25 PT
Green Party Supports Industrial Hemp Bill
State News Release
 
 Monday, February 28, 2005State Green Party throws support behind 'Industrial Hemp' bill at Capitol; Hemp hailed as more environmentally safe.SACRAMENTO, Ca. (February 28, 2005) - In an effort to bring the environmentally sound and renewable practice of hemp cultivation to the state, the Green Party of California is urging quick passage of a bill (AB1147) to license industrial hemp growers, introduced in the state assembly this past week."Public perception is shifting in the realm of industrial hemp," said Beth Moore Haines, a spokesperson for the GPCA media committee, adding that the GPCA's platform supports the promotion of hemp production. "As the rest of the developed world realizes the advantages of hemp cultivation - and the environmental advantages of growing it - California has a real opportunity to lead the nation in bringing us in step with the rest of the world," she added. Hemp provides materials for durable clothing, a viable alternative to the use of forest products and also provides food supplements, according to the GPCA. One example of hemp's advantage over cotton for clothing is that current cotton cultivation methods cause it to be one of the most polluting crops. Cotton requires defoliants and biocides, but industrial hemp has a natural resistance to pests and weeds. In addition, hemp had been a staple in American society until the late 1930s. According to a 2005 Congressional Resource Service report, the U.S. is the only developed nation that does not cultivate industrial hemp as an economic crop. Hemp is a variety of the plant species "cannabis sativa" that contains less than three-tenths of 1 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Background information: 
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7091631&type=ST Contact: Sara Amir, spokesperson 310.270.7106 saraamir earthlink.netKevin McKeown, spokesperson 310.393.3639 kevin mckeown.netBeth Moore Haines, spokesperson 530.277.0610 beth ncws.com 
http://www.gp.org/press/states/ca_2005_02_28.html
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Comment #4 posted by ekim on February 27, 2005 at 11:37:00 PT
Mr. Perkins was just on C-span 
JOHN PERKINS
http://www.johnperkins.org/
Author of Confessions of An Economic Hit Man. Dedicated to Changing the World http://www.dreamchange.orgJohn Perkins spent three decades as an Economic Hit Man, business executive, author, and lecturer. He lived and worked in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and North America. Then he made a decision: he would use these experiences to change the world; he would devote himself to making the planet a better place for his daughter’s generation. Today he teaches about the importance of rising to higher levels of consciousness, to waking up -- in both spiritual and physical realms.His newest book, The New York Times Bestseller,Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (now available), tells the story of his remarkable life. To learn more. John’s earlier books have been published in 14 languages. They include: Shapeshifting: Shamanic Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation
 
 The World Is As You Dream It: Shamanic Teachings from the Amazon and Andes
 
 Psychonavigation: Techniques for Travel Beyond Time
 
 The Stress-Free Habit: Powerful Techniques for Health and Longevity from the Andes, Yucatan, and Far East
 
 Spirit of the Shuar:Wisdom from the Last Unconquered People of the Amazon
 
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on February 27, 2005 at 09:10:35 PT
Cannabis or Death
Many Americans are discovering the truth about both industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis simultaneously. They aren't at all happy about being lied to for years and years. It's becoming increasingly apparent that all of our problems are related. There is one plant that can save us and the masses are finally realizing what plant that is! We can use it or lose everything.  It's all coming to a boil for oil...Russia Says It's Ready to Arm Saudi Arabia:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/02/10/043.htmlRUSSIA SIGNS NUCLEAR FUEL DEAL WITH IRAN:
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=65824Dollar Has Weekly Decline on Concern Banks May Slow Purchases:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_us&refer=japan&sid=aNz8wqTfieBARussia and Korea send dollar plummeting - The reign of the US dollar is obviously coming to its end:
http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/89/358/15025_dollar.htmlThe Real Reasons Why Iran is the Next Target: The Emerging Euro-denominated International Oil Market:
http://100777.com/node/1196Venezuelan Warns of U.S. Overthrow:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0226-01.htm
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on February 27, 2005 at 04:32:21 PT
A reasonable Republican.
For any politician to fight and stop American farmers from growing hemp is to expose their soul and lack of sight.It is time to REintroduce hemp as a component of American agriculture.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 26, 2005 at 19:06:47 PT
AP: North Dakota Hemp Bill
Bill Would Let NDSU Study Wild Hemp SeedsBy James Warden, Associated Press Writer February 25, 2005A longtime hemp supporter wants to authorize North Dakota State University to study seeds from wild hemp plants, hoping the information will give farmers a head start if the federal government allows the crop to be grown."Once it's legal, it's going to take off and go, because there is a demand," said Rep. David Monson, R-Osnabrock, who is the House assistant majority leader.Monson successfully pushed legislation eight years ago to authorize an NDSU study of the benefits of industrial hemp as an alternative crop. Industrial hemp is a drug-free version of marijuana. It was cultivated in North Dakota during World War II, with encouragement from the U.S. Agriculture Department. It can be used to make clothing, rope and other products.After the NDSU study indicated industrial hemp had promise as an alternative crop, the Legislature removed it from the state's list of noxious weeds. In 2003, the state's Agricultural Products Utilization Commission provided money for fences and security systems to allow field research.However, the federal government has not granted permission for the research to take place. Jeff Olson, a program manager for the state Agriculture Department, said the request hasn't been answered.Monson's bill, which was heard Thursday in the Senate Agriculture Committee, specifically authorizes NDSU to gather wild hemp seeds, and develop variants that would be better for cultivation.The seeds have already adapted to North Dakota's climate, and were once grown on farms, Monson said. Car manufacturers use hemp fibers for upholstery, and oil from the seeds can be used for lip balm or soap, he said.Hemp growing is legal in Canada, England, France and 35 other industrial countries, he said. North Dakota growers would offer an alternative, domestic supply to buyers, he said."We want to be on top of it and ready to go when the feds finally relent," he said.The bill is HB1492.Copyright: 2005 Associated Presshttp://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/02/25/news/state/sta04.txt
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