CALIFORNIA HEMP BILL AB 1147

Assembleyman Mark Leno in California has managed to get a hemp bill put forward to allow farmers to grow hemp, as the US government encouraged them to do in WWII and previously. On 20 June, it passed overwhelmingly in the Senate Public Safety Committee by a 4-2 vote. Leno stated that "California farmers are missing out on a multimillion dollar market that already exists in California. Hundreds of hemp products are made right here in California, but manufacturers are forced to import...This measure will allow California to lead the way in tapping into a $270 million industry..."

If passed at a final stage, it would specify that hemp seeds contain 0.3% or less of THC. Currently there are many varieties that meet this criteria.

California hemp businesses, such as Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps of Escondido and Minawear of Santa Monica, support this bill. At present hemp is sourced from Canada and China, but the US hemp industry would love to use home-grown hemp. Minawear is one of the few US hemp clothing manufacturers that makes their garments in the good 'ol USA. If possible, they would use American hemp as well.

The move to cultivate hemp in America also has the support of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Abraham Lincoln. Those voting for it are in good company...you are either with us or you are against us.