cannabisnews.com: Senate Committee Rejects Legal Hemp Senate Committee Rejects Legal Hemp Posted by FoM on March 08, 2001 at 19:45:25 PT By Scott Thomsen, Associated Press Source: Arizona Republic A proposal to legalize industrial uses of the marijuana plant hemp went up in smoke today, but state lawmakers are still considering whether to let Arizona State University study its agricultural production.Sen. Darden Hamilton, R-Glendale, submitted an amendment that would have changed a bill regarding the transportation of groundwater to one legalizing industrial hemp production, possession and use. It also would let ASU conduct the study. The Senate Natural Resources Committee stripped the legalization portion out of the bill and passed the study provision on a 7-0 vote. The revised bill now moves to the Rules Committee before action by the full Senate."I see total merit in the study at ASU," Sen. Elaine Richardson, D-Tucson, said. But Richardson said she was not interested in changing the legal definition of marijuana to allow possession of hemp.Hemp supporters say the plant can be used to make paper, clothing, rope and more. They presented committee members with an American flag, soap, candles and other products made from hemp."This is not about medical marijuana or the recreational varieties of hemp," said Noel Hebets, an attorney for Mesa-based Fuel and Fiber Company.While hemp is a marijuana plant, it has a lower level of the chemicals that make other varieties popular as a drug."Some of the unsmokeable stuff may hit the streets and some people get ripped off, but not the other way," Hebets said.There are 30 countries that grow hemp for food, fuel and other products, Hebets said."They do not have the problem with the illegal side that we do. Maybe we're doing something wrong," he said.Prosecutors opposed legalizing hemp, arguing the change would blur the lines regarding prohibitions on drug use and create enforcement problems."Yes it's a low percentage, but marijuana with this low percentage (would have been) legalized," Special Assistant Maricopa County Attorney Jerry Landau said."This can be smoked," he said, noting that the concentration of drug chemicals in hemp is close to that of the pot smoked in the mid-70s. "This drug should not be legalized in Arizona." Complete Title: Senate Committee Rejects Legal Hemp, but Would Let ASU Study Uses Arizona State University: http://www.asu.edu/Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Author: Scott Thomsen, Associated PressPublished: March 08, 2001Address: 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 Copyright: 2001 The Arizona Republic Contact: opinions arizonarepublic.com Website: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ CannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by herby on March 09, 2001 at 23:52:18 PT rejecction of hemp legalization ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE SCARED OF 2 THINGS....LOSING THEIR PRECIOUS PRESTIGIOUS JOBS,AND THEIR IDENTITY IF THEY DONT FOLLOW THE REST OF THE FLOCK.....ALSO,THE WOOD COMPANIES WONT GIVE THEM FREE PAPER ANYMORE.THEY NEED TO "SAVE A TREE-EAT A BEAVER"!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by jAHn on March 09, 2001 at 12:59:05 PT For the Believer in Hemp. http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAMX3KC4KC.html Here's a link from the AP, as you could tell, to an article about the frustrations and complications that the Lumber and Softwood Industries of U.S. & Canada. The two just can't seem to pass deals involving the profitability benefits to whichever side...check it out...http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAMX3KC4KC.html Why don't they just lobby for Hemp, they might excel! Canada is going to learn a lesson from this. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: