LdyLunatic
i wanna be cool too!
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2005
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California -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill to legalize the growing of industrial hemp as a valuable -- and non-intoxicating -- cash crop is a perfect example of federal control run amok . . . as if we didn't have plenty examples of that in California already.
The legalization of hemp makes sense for a lot of reasons, both economically and environmentally. It grows in all kinds of conditions; serves as a rotational crop, refreshing soil nutrients; and requires no pesticides or herbicides.
Hemp products are common -- it's in clothes, paper, food, and even auto parts. America's Declaration of Independence is said to have been written on hemp. But much of it is imported from China and Canada. North Dakota is the only state that allows its growth for that purpose.
Studies have estimated that yields of $320 to $600 an acre are possible with hemp cultivation -- nothing like the profit margin estimated from the illegal grows for which Humboldt County is so famous (or infamous).
But then a hemp farmer shouldn't risk a prison term -- except that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has convinced the governor that there is no legal distinction between hemp and marijuana, which contains THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols), which provide the euphoric effect of pot.
Unfortunately, I am very concerned that this bill would give legitimate growers a false sense of security and a belief that production of 'industrial hemp' is somehow a legal activity under federal law, said Schwarzenegger in vetoing the bill.
It was clear from his comments that he believed in the vast benefits of the bipartisan measure for California's farmers, but was intimidated by the knee-jerk drug-war lobbyists. It has become clear that any common sense in changing the hemp laws must come at the congressional level -- but don't hold your breath.
The legalization of hemp makes sense for a lot of reasons, both economically and environmentally. It grows in all kinds of conditions; serves as a rotational crop, refreshing soil nutrients; and requires no pesticides or herbicides.
Hemp products are common -- it's in clothes, paper, food, and even auto parts. America's Declaration of Independence is said to have been written on hemp. But much of it is imported from China and Canada. North Dakota is the only state that allows its growth for that purpose.
Studies have estimated that yields of $320 to $600 an acre are possible with hemp cultivation -- nothing like the profit margin estimated from the illegal grows for which Humboldt County is so famous (or infamous).
But then a hemp farmer shouldn't risk a prison term -- except that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has convinced the governor that there is no legal distinction between hemp and marijuana, which contains THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols), which provide the euphoric effect of pot.
Unfortunately, I am very concerned that this bill would give legitimate growers a false sense of security and a belief that production of 'industrial hemp' is somehow a legal activity under federal law, said Schwarzenegger in vetoing the bill.
It was clear from his comments that he believed in the vast benefits of the bipartisan measure for California's farmers, but was intimidated by the knee-jerk drug-war lobbyists. It has become clear that any common sense in changing the hemp laws must come at the congressional level -- but don't hold your breath.
