Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of this blog, with a first post about hemp events in London.
725 posts later, it has covered hemp oil analysis, politics, hemp businesses, hemp events, hemp news, hemp books, etc etc and some off-the-topic posts as well.
In that time period hemp awareness has grown, the book "Hemp for Victory" was published, and hemp is now legal in many US states.
We hope that the next two years will bring about hemp manufacturing in the UK and the US on a large scale basis. China presently leads the world in hemp cultivation and production, as it did in 2006. Canada is catching up but is still mainly cultivating hemp for seeds - but a New York businessman named Gardner McBride is set to change that with large amounts of acreage of hemp in Ontario. He sells both seeds and fibre, and is looking to increase the quality of his product with a view to researching more applications with the possibility of growing hemp for textile fibres in the future.
So we'll see...I would expect that in the next two years hemp will advance as much as it did in the last ten. To help that process and get a petition to the White House, you can assist us in that goal by clicking on the 'About Us' page at www.minawear.com
Thank you all for a decade of work. All you comments and emails are appreciated.
One thing we are working on is a 2nd ed. of "Hemp for Victory", and so any new information to add to that book is most welcome. Progess is slow, but steady. Lots more work to be done.
Kenyon Gibson
Showing posts with label petition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label petition. Show all posts
Monday, June 06, 2016
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
Victory for hemp field in Kentucky
The image above is of Kirstin Bohnert, Katie Moyer and Alyssa Faith Erickson of the KY Hempsters, checking out the hemp in a Kentucky hemp field; Minawear is the site that hosted the petition to make hemp legal a few years ago. We still need signatures so if anyone cares, go to www.minawear.com and check out the About Us page and there you go!
Monday, October 07, 2013
The latest in hemp bags from Arrogance
I just heard from Sneha Bhani at Arrogance - www.arrogance.com - check them out, they are a London based firm that makes really great bags and luggage, they come from a background of being in that business and do not mess around - their stuff does not wear out! Top quality. And the look is always spot on, I gave some of their goods to journalists and one baroness and it never failed to impress.
Posted below is an image of some of their bags, and I will be posting more soon and talking about their latest moves. Companies like this are a source of pride to the hemp movement and it is their example that has helped move forward the issue - this fall the first industrial hemp harvest in 50 years
has just taken place in the US (Ryan Loflin's 60 acre plot in Colorado) and it is very much due to hard working hempsters who make quality stuff that can be taken seriously that politicians have gone to bat for hemp or decided, as in the case of the US Attorney General Eric Holder, to let it grow.
In the UK it has been growing for years, although Arrogance and other companies must buy their textiles still mainly, if not exclusively, from China - as there is not the infrastructure in place to weave it elsewhere. The more we buy hemp and support these kind of companies the more momentum we have to bring about local hemp cultivation and production - in other words -
JOBS! Let's help the economy and the environment this way, and if anyone wants to get their voice heard at the White House, please sign the petition at
www.minawear.com/about-us/
Posted below is an image of some of their bags, and I will be posting more soon and talking about their latest moves. Companies like this are a source of pride to the hemp movement and it is their example that has helped move forward the issue - this fall the first industrial hemp harvest in 50 years
has just taken place in the US (Ryan Loflin's 60 acre plot in Colorado) and it is very much due to hard working hempsters who make quality stuff that can be taken seriously that politicians have gone to bat for hemp or decided, as in the case of the US Attorney General Eric Holder, to let it grow.
In the UK it has been growing for years, although Arrogance and other companies must buy their textiles still mainly, if not exclusively, from China - as there is not the infrastructure in place to weave it elsewhere. The more we buy hemp and support these kind of companies the more momentum we have to bring about local hemp cultivation and production - in other words -
JOBS! Let's help the economy and the environment this way, and if anyone wants to get their voice heard at the White House, please sign the petition at
www.minawear.com/about-us/
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Kentucky to challenge feds on hemp
One more state is willing to just let it grow: Kentucky. Colorado farmers planted
hemp despite the federal ban earlier this year, and now Kentucky is considering doing the same. The petition is still up to sign for lifting the federal ban, it goes to the White House when we get 25,000 signatures, please be one of those - www.minawear.com/about-us/ is where to go, just takes a few moments to do!
The article below gives us the latest in this saga from Kentucky:
Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer said Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement last week of changes in the Justice Department’s marijuana policy could mean that the state can move ahead with industrial hemp farming. Louisville’s WDRB reported that Comer intends to forge ahead with industrial hemp in hopes that federal policy will continue to mellow with regards to marijuana.
“This is going to happen sooner than many of us thought,” said Comer. The state’s industrial hemp commission intends to meet next week and decide whether to proceed with hemp farming in Kentucky. Comer is sanguine enough about the outcome that he is already courting hemp processing companies in hopes that they will do business in the state.
Hemp and marijuana are both species of the plant Cannabis sativa L, but marijuana contains high amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical that produces a “high” in users. Hemp does not contain enough THC to get users high, but both species of Cannabis are illegal to grow and cultivate in the U.S., except in the 20 states that have legalized medical marijuana for medical use or Colorado and Washington, which have also made marijuana legal for recreational use.
Hemp is grown for its oil, seeds and fibers, which Comer believes will re-invigorate Kentucky’s agricultural economy. He is eager to move forward.
“The DOJ is saying that is saying that it’s legal to grow marijuana in states that have a regulatory framework but not legal to grow hemp? I don’t think so,” said Comer to reporters. “We’re going to proceed unless the DOJ specifically tells us not to proceed.”
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) issued a statement supporting Comer on Wednesday.
“I support Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer in his efforts to move forward with the production of industrial hemp in the Commonwealth,” Paul wrote. “This fight has always been about jobs and providing another opportunity for Kentucky’s farmers, and I expect the Obama Administration to treat all states equally in this process. I will continue to fight at the federal level to enact legislation to secure this new industry for Kentucky.”
The Kentucky state state legislature passed a measure earlier this year legalizing hemp production in the state. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear withheld his option to veto, saying, “I strongly support efforts to create additional legal cash crops for our farm communities. At the same time, we have a tremendous drug problem in Kentucky, and I want to make sure that we don’t do anything that will increase that drug problem. I still share the same concerns our law enforcement officers have about the impact hemp cultivation may have on our drug eradication efforts.”
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Chinese hemp works in Tai'an
While the US is going broke, the Chinese are making $! Part of the reason is that America's enemies introduced anti-hemp laws, and US senators and congressmen who want to commit financial terrorism against the US continue to keep hemp illegal. But this year a lot of the legislators are getting common sense - Mitch McConnell joined they fray - and the US could catch up. A petition to the White House - www.minawear.com/about-us/ is available to all who want to aid the US economic recovery. Below is an article from China Daily:
Tai'an
establishes first Academy Workshop of Hemp Weaving
 |
|---|
| 2013-04-26 |
|
The first
Academy Workshop of Hemp Weaving kicked off in Tai'an city, Shandong province,
on April 22. Lead by Yao Mu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the
workshop will focus on research and development in the weaving industry. It will
boost the development of local weaving companies and accelerate the application
of modern technology, according to Sd.xinhuanet.com.
The
workshop will take advantage of local natural resources and the weaving industry
and help incubate innovation. Jinfeihong Weaving Co, one of the outstanding
participants, will play as the body of this workstation.
Yao Mu, a
pioneer in the textile material field, has been working on textile material and
imitation wool technology. With the help of Yao and the workshop, Jinfeihong
will focus on developing environment-friendly materials for space, yachts and
automobiles.
At the
same time, the workshop can help the local industry cultivate talent, expand its
business platform, establish standards and push innovation. Tai'an is expected
to develop more local companies with core technology and a better competitive
edge.
|
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
ILLINOIS JOINS OTHER STATES IN HEMP BILL
Just in, news that in Illinois common sense has prevailed - there is a bill to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp, House Bill 2668, which has been approved by the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee in a 9-8 vote. The measure now awaits action from the full House. You can read the full text of House Bill 2668 here.
As with all these state initiatives, there is the federal government to deal with, we must pave the way for that so please sign the petition to the White House at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Monday, March 18, 2013
Hemp activists Merle Haggard meets Mina Hegaard
Mina Hegaard this weekend got to meet hemp activist Merle Haggard.
The movement is going from strength to strength so far this year,
hempsters are uniting, lots of states are making it legal and new shops
are opening.
For those of you who have not yet signed the petition to the White House,
there is still time at www.minawear.com/about-us/
The movement is going from strength to strength so far this year,
hempsters are uniting, lots of states are making it legal and new shops
are opening.
For those of you who have not yet signed the petition to the White House,
there is still time at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Hemp movement news from Washington State: House Bill 1888
It is always welcome news when I can post an a new state taking on the hemp issue. So far Kentucky, Colorado, California, Oregon, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota and North Carolina have all got some news items on this blog. Washington joins the frey, and I am hoping to start a New York initiative here, hopefully reps Jerrold Nadler who co-sponsored Ron Paul's bill and Carolyn Maloney
(NY's 8th and 12th districts) will support this. All 50 states could benefit, so let's see 40 more posts of this genre - and of course let's get lots more signatures on the petition to the White House at www.minawear.com/about-us/
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A
legislative committee has approved a bill that would allow Washington farmers to
grow industrial hemp.
Washington officials are in the
process of establishing a system to legalize the production and sale of
marijuana for recreational use, following passage of Initiative 502 last fall.
But that initiative didn't cover the production of hemp or hemp products.
House Bill 1888 would permit development of an
industrial hemp industry in Washington. A House
committee approved the bill Thursday, sending it to the full House for
a vote.
Nine other states have passed
laws allowing hemp production, but none grows hemp as a crop. The federal
government still bans the plant.
Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Legislative-committee-approves-hemp-bill-4298715.php#ixzz2LaSgdjOo
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Mitch McConnell statement on hemp in Kentucky
Another bit of good news sent to me from Mina Hegaard, who runs the petition to the White House at www.minawear.com/about-us/ - please sign - make your voice heard - is that Mitch McConnell, the senior senator from Kentucky - has met with the other senator, Rand Paul to discuss hemp, and has issued the statement posted below.
Mitch McConnell Set To Support Hemp Push?
Mitch McConnell Set To Support Hemp Push?
January 31st, 2013 · No Comments
As Jake offered on Twitter earlier today, it looks like Mitch McConnell is set to announce his support of hemp in Kentucky, since he just issued a statement.
Since he had a lengthy meeting with Rand Paul and Paul’s top staffer, it seems to be a solid move to help stave of tea party opposition.
Here’s McConnell’s statement:
Since he had a lengthy meeting with Rand Paul and Paul’s top staffer, it seems to be a solid move to help stave of tea party opposition.
Here’s McConnell’s statement:
“After long discussions with Senator Rand Paul and Commissioner James Comer on the economic benefits of industrialized hemp, I am convinced that allowing its production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy. Commissioner Comer has assured me that his office is committed to pursuing industrialized hemp production in a way that does not compromise Kentucky law enforcement’s marijuana eradication efforts or in any way promote illegal drug use. The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times that sounds like a good thing to me.”UPDATE: Now some Republicans are suggesting McConnell’s endorsement of hemp is another sign that he plans to support Jamie Comer in a bid for governor instead of supporting Brett Guthrie.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Hemp in Kentucky: Historical plaque
This tells the story of the loss of a raw material in the US. Hopefully there will be hemp grown in the Bluegrass State once again, making it legal is key, do sign the petition at www.minawear.com/about-us/ so we can see the fields that James Lane Allen talked about in his 1900 book Reign of Law - which is a novel about life in the Kentucky hemp fields.
On a bibliographic note, it was one of the first American books to have a dust jacked, these came into vogue in the '30s when travelling salesmen needed something eye-catching to sell. The dj is a light green with a similar design to the red cloth covers.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Kentucky Chamber adds its support to hemp
Kentucky is going strong on hemp - lots of posts on this blog, and lots of signatures on the petition - www.minawear.com/about-us/ from the Bluegrass. The latest buzz there is this story by Kenny Colston of wfpl.org
Kentucky
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has landed a high-profile supporter for his
efforts to legalize hemp in Kentucky.
The
state’s largest business group, the Kentucky Chamber, has come out in support of
industrial hemp for oil and fiber, provided there is a sound regulatory
process.
Many
of the state’s federal lawmakers support the issue as well, including
Congressmen Andy Barr, John Yarmuth and Thomas Massie and Senator Rand
Paul.
A
bill to legalize hemp was filed in the Kentucky Senate Friday by the
agriculture committee chair.
Comer
has long argued that hemp could help many farmers, especially those growing
tobacco, turn profits. Comer does not support legalizing hemp's cousin crop,
marijuana.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Obama to help XHXC to sell THC
As we promote the petition (www.minawear.com/about-us/)
to President Obama for legal industrial hemp, other uses are also being promoted and brought to his attention - such as the medical applications. Below is a press release from XHXC:
President Barack Obama's Cannabis Industry Statements Mark Historical Support for the Cannabis Industry in a Recent Interview with Barbara Walters of ABC News
Rapid Expansion in New Markets Expected for X-Change Corp and New Phytiva Product Lines
Press Release: X-Change Corp – Tue, Dec 18, 2012 2:39 PM ESTPresident Obama, in an interview with Barbara Walters of ABC News on December 13, 2012, stated, "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it's legal." Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed Amendment 64 as amending the state constitution on December 10, 2012 just days after Washington State Initiative 502 formally became law, legalizing the recreational use of cannabis.
CNBC estimates that the Cannabis industry is a $40 Billion dollar a year business. Internal estimates illustrate the Cannabis industry is closer to $73 Billion a year, with some industry estimates placing it over $100 Billion. There are now 18 states that have some type of legal Cannabis Program, along with several countries including Canada, the Czech Republic, and Israel.
Global political and business leaders have come out publicly in support of ending what billionaire Richard Branson has described as the war on drugs: a "trillion dollar failure." The James A Baker III Foundation voiced support to ending the war on drugs. President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney during the elections both made a statement in support of ending the war on drugs. This past week Richard Branson's son, with his father's full support, released an anti-prohibition documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman entitled "Breaking The Taboo." The YouTube release follows The Global Commission on Drug Policy's study of the U.S. war on drugs and includes 147 interviews with leaders around the world, concluding drug prohibition to be the "biggest failure of global policy in the last 40 years."
Robert J. Kane, President of X-Change Corp, said, "It is a privilege to be part of this historic time by leading a company with cannabinoid-based products from which the entire world should benefit going forward. We continue, through our relationship with Cannabis Science, to develop products that have medicinal value, while at the same time using science and education to create products for the quickly-growing Cosmeceutical and Nutraceuticals markets."
About Phytiva
Phytiva is the newly relaunched brand that is a hybrid of a proven, existing product line that has been well-managed and conservatively-run for over a decade with a hemp-based product line, utilizing the unique and potent benefits of the hemp plant. Phytiva's revolutionary formulations target not just the symptom, but also the cause. Hemp is the ideal basis for healing solutions and has been utilized for centuries, as skin responds extremely well to its properties.Phytiva strives to be one of the quintessential Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals brands in the world. As cosmetics and nutrition are personal, over-the-counter markets, they continuously evolve with the introduction of new formulations and products, creating a multibillion-dollar global market. The company believes that Phytiva will capture a substantial and highly-profitable portion of that market, as Phytiva becomes a household name.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. X-Change Corp. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.X-Change Corp.
President & CEO
Robert Kane
info@phytiva.com
www.phytiva.com
1.866.326.5595
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
US Senator Ron Wyden's 2012 Hemp Bill
While Congressman Ron Paul's Hemp Farming Bill is still in the House, not sure what will happen now that he is retiring in two weeks' time, a Senate Bill has died with even less support than Paul's. The sponsor of that bill, US Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore., in June of 2012, issued the following statement on the amendment to the Farm bill he introduced lifting prohibitions on the growing of industrial hemp:
“I firmly believe that American farmers should not be denied an opportunity to grow and sell a legitimate crop simply because it resembles an illegal one. I fought for an amendment that would have recognized industrial hemp as a legitimate crop, but since doing so requires amending the Controlled Substances Act it was considered non-germane to the current debate and could not be brought up for a vote. Raising this issue has sparked a growing awareness of exactly how ridiculous the U.S.’s ban on industrial hemp is. I’m confident that if grassroots support continues to grow and Members of Congress continue to hear from voters then common sense hemp legislation can move through Congress in the near future.”
Let us make that grassroots support happen! Hundreds have now done just that, but signing the White House petition at www.minawear.com/about-us/
“I firmly believe that American farmers should not be denied an opportunity to grow and sell a legitimate crop simply because it resembles an illegal one. I fought for an amendment that would have recognized industrial hemp as a legitimate crop, but since doing so requires amending the Controlled Substances Act it was considered non-germane to the current debate and could not be brought up for a vote. Raising this issue has sparked a growing awareness of exactly how ridiculous the U.S.’s ban on industrial hemp is. I’m confident that if grassroots support continues to grow and Members of Congress continue to hear from voters then common sense hemp legislation can move through Congress in the near future.”
Let us make that grassroots support happen! Hundreds have now done just that, but signing the White House petition at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Friday, January 04, 2013
Press release for Hemp Foods Australia
Just in from eco-business.com, a press release about Paul Benhaim's work in Australia, where hemp is being grown - while it remains illegal in the US (for which there is a petition at www.minawear.com/about-us/ ).
Paul contributed two chapters to Hemp for Victory back in 2006, he was around that time living in London - he has since lived in Australia for many years and been working both on hemp food and hemp plastic.
We wish him well and perhaps when America gets hemp back, he will be of use as a consultant here. Below is the press release:
To supply their fully operational Australian manufacturing plant, Hemp Foods Australia are looking for more Australian Hemp Farmers.
Dehulled hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein are amongst the products being produced in the Northern New South Wales facility that has been supported by the Department of Trade & Industry. The products are hoped to be destined for the national food market based on changing legislation early in the new year. Until that time Hemp Foods Australia is successfully exporting product as well as selling for non-human consumption (mainly cosmetic use) locally.
“We are using as much Australian grown hemp seed as we can get our hands on.” states Managing Director Paul Benhaim. Although Hemp Foods Australia grows industrial hemp under Government license, they have been unable to keep up with demand. “We are actively looking to expand contracts to support more Australian farmers.” The only thing stopping the Company is their requirement for Australian Certified Organic land for their organic hemp seed requirements, as their facility is now based on 100% certified organic production.
The potential use of hemp seed as a food source in Australia is expected to increase the rate of our already growing Australian labour force.
Hemp Foods Australia, a pioneer in the Australian hemp food industry since 1999 have announced a record year in 2012 and foresee exponential growth in 2013.
Recently Hemp Foods Australia has slashed the price of their products to celebrate their new production. Price reductions include 30% discount for their hemp oil. When asked if they can sustain these prices, Finance Manager Philip Favaro states “As we no longer import finished products we are able to reduce our costs which we are choosing to pass directly onto the consumer. This way we offer Australian’s an opportunity to rely less on imports and more on supporting an Australian hemp industry.”. In fact Production Manger Martin Ernegg states “with further upscaling and production improvements we are aiming for further cost improvements before next year.”
Giving Australian farmers an opportunity to grow something other than sugar cane or cattle that is also organic and sustainable leaves the feeling of hope for this purpose built hemp seed processing factory.
If you are a farmer interested in cultivating hemp seed on organic certified land then please register your interest via the contact page at www.hempfoods.com.au
Contact Hemp Foods Australia: 02 6687 1260
Paul contributed two chapters to Hemp for Victory back in 2006, he was around that time living in London - he has since lived in Australia for many years and been working both on hemp food and hemp plastic.
We wish him well and perhaps when America gets hemp back, he will be of use as a consultant here. Below is the press release:
To supply their fully operational Australian manufacturing plant, Hemp Foods Australia are looking for more Australian Hemp Farmers.
Dehulled hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein are amongst the products being produced in the Northern New South Wales facility that has been supported by the Department of Trade & Industry. The products are hoped to be destined for the national food market based on changing legislation early in the new year. Until that time Hemp Foods Australia is successfully exporting product as well as selling for non-human consumption (mainly cosmetic use) locally.
“We are using as much Australian grown hemp seed as we can get our hands on.” states Managing Director Paul Benhaim. Although Hemp Foods Australia grows industrial hemp under Government license, they have been unable to keep up with demand. “We are actively looking to expand contracts to support more Australian farmers.” The only thing stopping the Company is their requirement for Australian Certified Organic land for their organic hemp seed requirements, as their facility is now based on 100% certified organic production.
The potential use of hemp seed as a food source in Australia is expected to increase the rate of our already growing Australian labour force.
Hemp Foods Australia, a pioneer in the Australian hemp food industry since 1999 have announced a record year in 2012 and foresee exponential growth in 2013.
Recently Hemp Foods Australia has slashed the price of their products to celebrate their new production. Price reductions include 30% discount for their hemp oil. When asked if they can sustain these prices, Finance Manager Philip Favaro states “As we no longer import finished products we are able to reduce our costs which we are choosing to pass directly onto the consumer. This way we offer Australian’s an opportunity to rely less on imports and more on supporting an Australian hemp industry.”. In fact Production Manger Martin Ernegg states “with further upscaling and production improvements we are aiming for further cost improvements before next year.”
Giving Australian farmers an opportunity to grow something other than sugar cane or cattle that is also organic and sustainable leaves the feeling of hope for this purpose built hemp seed processing factory.
If you are a farmer interested in cultivating hemp seed on organic certified land then please register your interest via the contact page at www.hempfoods.com.au
Contact Hemp Foods Australia: 02 6687 1260
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Unites States Senator supports hemp
Below in bold is the ofiicial statement by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky regarding industrial hemp.Other US Senators and Congressmen have supported hemp over the years, and this year, 2013, we intend to lobby all US Sentors and Congressmen about this issue - as well as having a petition to the White House - now available for signing at www.minawear.com/about-us - add your name to the growing roster of hemp activists and supporters, including the likes of Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney!
A recent national poll concluded that 43 percent of Americans believe unemployment and job creation is the most important issue facing our country. So it’s no surprise that Republicans and Democrats in Washington claim to be big supporters of creating jobs.
But the truth is D.C. policy-makers on both sides of the aisle stifle jobs and opportunity with regulations and policies that hurt our work force. And often, it flies in the face of common sense. The perfect example of this is the debate over industrial hemp.
Prior to World War II, Kentucky led the nation in providing 94 percent of all industrialized hemp. However, it was outlawed under an umbrella law that made marijuana illegal. This was simply because they are in the same botanical family and look similar.
But there are major differences in the two plants. Marijuana is made up of 20 percent tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering chemical, while industrial hemp plants contain less than 0.3 percent.
Comparing hemp to marijuana is like comparing poppy seeds found on bagels to OxyContin. Poppy seeds are in the same family of opiate — the same family that contains codeine, morphine, OxyContin and even heroin.
Yet, you can buy and consume food containing poppy seeds, as thousands of Americans do each day, without experiencing the narcotic effects the rest of its plant is harvested for.
So, the issue with hemp isn’t that the plant is harmful. It’s that the plant might be mistaken for marijuana.
This presents some challenges for law enforcement. But we can address those challenges. And we can return to growing and producing hemp in Kentucky. And in the process, create jobs and opportunity here.
Let me share an example of the economic potential for industrial hemp.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is based in California and sells products made from hemp plants. David Bronner, the company’s CEO, says it grossed over $50 million in sales this past year. But since the production of industrial hemp is outlawed in America, the company must import 100 percent of the hemp used in their products from other countries.
The company sends hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars every year to other countries because American farmers are not allowed to grow this plant. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not allow the legal growth of hemp.
Today, hemp products are sold around the U.S. in forms of paper, cosmetics, lotions, auto parts, clothes, cattle feed and so much more. If we were to start using hemp plants again for paper, we could ultimately replace using trees as the main source for our paper supply.
One acre of industrial hemp plants can grow around 15,000 pounds of green hemp in about 110 days. For every ton of hemp converted into paper, we could save 12 trees. It is a renewable, sustainable, environmentally conscious crop.
Back in August, I stood alongside Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and a bipartisan group of legislators and promised Kentuckians that I would join the fight to allow the growth and production of industrial hemp. Comer stated that day that the soil and the climate in Kentucky are perfect for the growth of hemp, and that could ultimately allow the commonwealth to be the nation’s top producer.
Recently, Comer revived the long-dormant Kentucky Hemp Commission by calling its first meeting in more than 10 years. This took real leadership and I applaud him for his action. To help get the ball rolling and show our commitment, Bronner wrote a $50,000 check to the commission and I have pledged to match that donation from my personal political action committee.
While Comer and the commission work to address this issue in Kentucky, I have co-sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate that would require the federal government to honor state laws allowing production of industrial hemp and would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana.
My vision for the farmers and manufacturers of Kentucky is to see us start growing hemp, creating jobs and leading the nation in this industry again. These jobs will be ripe for the taking, and I want the farmers in Kentucky to be the first in line.
A recent national poll concluded that 43 percent of Americans believe unemployment and job creation is the most important issue facing our country. So it’s no surprise that Republicans and Democrats in Washington claim to be big supporters of creating jobs.
But the truth is D.C. policy-makers on both sides of the aisle stifle jobs and opportunity with regulations and policies that hurt our work force. And often, it flies in the face of common sense. The perfect example of this is the debate over industrial hemp.
Prior to World War II, Kentucky led the nation in providing 94 percent of all industrialized hemp. However, it was outlawed under an umbrella law that made marijuana illegal. This was simply because they are in the same botanical family and look similar.
But there are major differences in the two plants. Marijuana is made up of 20 percent tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering chemical, while industrial hemp plants contain less than 0.3 percent.
Comparing hemp to marijuana is like comparing poppy seeds found on bagels to OxyContin. Poppy seeds are in the same family of opiate — the same family that contains codeine, morphine, OxyContin and even heroin.
Yet, you can buy and consume food containing poppy seeds, as thousands of Americans do each day, without experiencing the narcotic effects the rest of its plant is harvested for.
So, the issue with hemp isn’t that the plant is harmful. It’s that the plant might be mistaken for marijuana.
This presents some challenges for law enforcement. But we can address those challenges. And we can return to growing and producing hemp in Kentucky. And in the process, create jobs and opportunity here.
Let me share an example of the economic potential for industrial hemp.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is based in California and sells products made from hemp plants. David Bronner, the company’s CEO, says it grossed over $50 million in sales this past year. But since the production of industrial hemp is outlawed in America, the company must import 100 percent of the hemp used in their products from other countries.
The company sends hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars every year to other countries because American farmers are not allowed to grow this plant. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not allow the legal growth of hemp.
Today, hemp products are sold around the U.S. in forms of paper, cosmetics, lotions, auto parts, clothes, cattle feed and so much more. If we were to start using hemp plants again for paper, we could ultimately replace using trees as the main source for our paper supply.
One acre of industrial hemp plants can grow around 15,000 pounds of green hemp in about 110 days. For every ton of hemp converted into paper, we could save 12 trees. It is a renewable, sustainable, environmentally conscious crop.
Back in August, I stood alongside Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and a bipartisan group of legislators and promised Kentuckians that I would join the fight to allow the growth and production of industrial hemp. Comer stated that day that the soil and the climate in Kentucky are perfect for the growth of hemp, and that could ultimately allow the commonwealth to be the nation’s top producer.
Recently, Comer revived the long-dormant Kentucky Hemp Commission by calling its first meeting in more than 10 years. This took real leadership and I applaud him for his action. To help get the ball rolling and show our commitment, Bronner wrote a $50,000 check to the commission and I have pledged to match that donation from my personal political action committee.
While Comer and the commission work to address this issue in Kentucky, I have co-sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate that would require the federal government to honor state laws allowing production of industrial hemp and would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana.
My vision for the farmers and manufacturers of Kentucky is to see us start growing hemp, creating jobs and leading the nation in this industry again. These jobs will be ripe for the taking, and I want the farmers in Kentucky to be the first in line.
Monday, December 31, 2012
New Year's Resolution for hemp
Here we are at the close of 2012...and Mayan calendar or not, we are still here. Maybe not for much longer, so let's make the most of it. Hope that does not sound too pessimistic. Actually, there are harbingers of good for 2013 - Minawear got their petition up ahead of schedule, just before Christmas, and is now nearly at 100 signatures (including Green Party candidate's Cynthia McKinney's). Not bad with no press - and that is an issue I would like to address. Why no press? You hear all about bad things - every idiot who goes beserk gets 15 minutes of fame and we read all about fiscal cliffs and subway pushers, who are becoming a bit of a phenomenon here in New York - but what about some press telling us how to improve our world and create jobs in the US?
Now, the hemp issue takes some time to understand, what with the confusion about hemp and marijuana - created by the Hearst press - and all the different legislations involving hemp from the present status to arguments in the House about US vs Russian hemp for the US Navy (Russian hemp was preferred - I digress into a technical point here that many journalists would only find too much to work out - but the retting process was superior in Russia to the one in the US) to preemptive strikes made against the French by the British in the 18th century - there is a lot to know about what was once the world's most traded commodity.
But I can simplify and provide a focus: we need to have this commodity and we need to unify and get behing making it legal in the US - so please do three things:
First, sign the petition up at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Second, write to you Congressman if you are in the US.
Third, write to the press anywhere in the world, and see if you can get a journalists not too involved with the latest on Lindsay Lohan and get them to do an article - I did this a while back, it took a lot of persistance, but the Guardian finally did a full page feature on hemp which is still up on the web.
So that is the plan, I hope you are all off to a great New Year or already in it by the time you are reading this!
Now, the hemp issue takes some time to understand, what with the confusion about hemp and marijuana - created by the Hearst press - and all the different legislations involving hemp from the present status to arguments in the House about US vs Russian hemp for the US Navy (Russian hemp was preferred - I digress into a technical point here that many journalists would only find too much to work out - but the retting process was superior in Russia to the one in the US) to preemptive strikes made against the French by the British in the 18th century - there is a lot to know about what was once the world's most traded commodity.
But I can simplify and provide a focus: we need to have this commodity and we need to unify and get behing making it legal in the US - so please do three things:
First, sign the petition up at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Second, write to you Congressman if you are in the US.
Third, write to the press anywhere in the world, and see if you can get a journalists not too involved with the latest on Lindsay Lohan and get them to do an article - I did this a while back, it took a lot of persistance, but the Guardian finally did a full page feature on hemp which is still up on the web.
So that is the plan, I hope you are all off to a great New Year or already in it by the time you are reading this!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
PETITION TO MAKE HEMP LEGAL IN THE US
Great news! Mina Hegaard has set up a petition to make hemp legal again in the US - which will be a boon to the US economy - it is
on her site - http://minawear.com/about-us/ - scroll down to the bottom
of that page - you can sign and even leave a comment for President Obama.
We need 25,000 signatures to get a response on this issue, and meanwhile we hope to at get at least one American in every Congressional district in the US to write to their Congressman and petition for this.
So we have started something here at the end of 2012 that we hope to finish, or at least work on substantially, in 2013.
Thank all of you who have supported hemp over the years, now is the time to make a critical move.
on her site - http://minawear.com/about-us/ - scroll down to the bottom
of that page - you can sign and even leave a comment for President Obama.
We need 25,000 signatures to get a response on this issue, and meanwhile we hope to at get at least one American in every Congressional district in the US to write to their Congressman and petition for this.
So we have started something here at the end of 2012 that we hope to finish, or at least work on substantially, in 2013.
Thank all of you who have supported hemp over the years, now is the time to make a critical move.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
News on hemp in Kentucky
There has been discussion in Kentucky lately about growing industrial hemp, and whilst this is historically a hemp growing state, and one that badly needs the industry, there are those who oppose the notion. The Kentucky State Police recently decided to go against the economic and historic interests of the state with the usual unscientific argument that hemp and marijuana are indistinguishable. Charles Walker, of Henderson, writing on 12 December - rebuts that in Evansville Courier and Press, stating:
"The recent front page article on industrial hemp quoted the KSP commissioner regarding the inability to distinguish cannabis sativa grown as hemp and that cultivated for flower harvest.
There are plenty of pictures from the "Hemp for Victory" campaign of World War II that depict hemp fields. Hemp cannabis is sown densely. Hemp cannabis grows tall with little branching. Hemp cannabis sown for seed production is sown less densely than that grown for fiber, but still much more densely than that cultivated for flowers.
Any flower cannabis cultivated near other varieties will be pollinated, which is counterproductive for that crop. Hemp cannabis is easily distinguished (whether grown for fiber or seed) from cannabis grown for a medicinal or recreational use crop.
Hemp cannabis contains a very low level of the psychoactive compound THC but a high level of the non-psychoactive cannabidiol. Hemp helped build this country. Cannabis helped cloth the working class. Hemp seed oil is more nutritious than any other seed oil.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have medicinal properties. The Department of Health and Human Services holds a patent on the cannabinoids found in cannabis (including THC) for medicinal properties, including anti-tumor effects. Cannabinoids kill cancer cells.
Claiming industrial hemp cultivation will provide an opportunity for people to cultivate "marijuana" is either ignorance or deliberate obfuscation. The commissioner says cannabis is a gateway drug. The No. 1 gateway drug in this country is alcohol. That is fact.
The overwhelming majority of cannabis users do not go on to use other drugs. The opposite is true. Cannabis helps people break alcohol and opiate addiction.
Cannabis prohibition is a failure because cannabis is not a dangerous drug. Rather, it is as Judge Francis Young stated, " ... the most beneficial plant known to mankind. ..." Prohibition protects corporate profit, not people. "
Walker is right, and is supported by fellow Kentuckian Woody Harrelson, who planted hemp seeds there only to be arrested. The blue grass state is presently in the midst of a terrible recession and is ruled by the tobacco industry, which forces farmers to grow tobacco at a loss - if hemp was available to them they could get out from under this monopoly. Please support the citizens of this state in their struggle to be free and prosperous by writing to the police and legislature and demanding that hemp be made legal. Presently we are fomatting a petition for this to be the case in all 50 states, for which we hope to get 25,000 signatures and then send to the White House. We encourage the same actoin on the state level in the US and anywhere else in the world where industrial hemp is still illegal to cultivate.
"The recent front page article on industrial hemp quoted the KSP commissioner regarding the inability to distinguish cannabis sativa grown as hemp and that cultivated for flower harvest.
There are plenty of pictures from the "Hemp for Victory" campaign of World War II that depict hemp fields. Hemp cannabis is sown densely. Hemp cannabis grows tall with little branching. Hemp cannabis sown for seed production is sown less densely than that grown for fiber, but still much more densely than that cultivated for flowers.
Any flower cannabis cultivated near other varieties will be pollinated, which is counterproductive for that crop. Hemp cannabis is easily distinguished (whether grown for fiber or seed) from cannabis grown for a medicinal or recreational use crop.
Hemp cannabis contains a very low level of the psychoactive compound THC but a high level of the non-psychoactive cannabidiol. Hemp helped build this country. Cannabis helped cloth the working class. Hemp seed oil is more nutritious than any other seed oil.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have medicinal properties. The Department of Health and Human Services holds a patent on the cannabinoids found in cannabis (including THC) for medicinal properties, including anti-tumor effects. Cannabinoids kill cancer cells.
Claiming industrial hemp cultivation will provide an opportunity for people to cultivate "marijuana" is either ignorance or deliberate obfuscation. The commissioner says cannabis is a gateway drug. The No. 1 gateway drug in this country is alcohol. That is fact.
The overwhelming majority of cannabis users do not go on to use other drugs. The opposite is true. Cannabis helps people break alcohol and opiate addiction.
Cannabis prohibition is a failure because cannabis is not a dangerous drug. Rather, it is as Judge Francis Young stated, " ... the most beneficial plant known to mankind. ..." Prohibition protects corporate profit, not people. "
Walker is right, and is supported by fellow Kentuckian Woody Harrelson, who planted hemp seeds there only to be arrested. The blue grass state is presently in the midst of a terrible recession and is ruled by the tobacco industry, which forces farmers to grow tobacco at a loss - if hemp was available to them they could get out from under this monopoly. Please support the citizens of this state in their struggle to be free and prosperous by writing to the police and legislature and demanding that hemp be made legal. Presently we are fomatting a petition for this to be the case in all 50 states, for which we hope to get 25,000 signatures and then send to the White House. We encourage the same actoin on the state level in the US and anywhere else in the world where industrial hemp is still illegal to cultivate.
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