Pubdate: Mon, 18 Feb 2013
Source: Richmond Register (KY)
Copyright: 2013 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmondregister.com/
Author: Billy Ray Hughes
Note: Billy Ray Hughes, a member of the Madison Fiscal Court, manages 
a local manufacturing plant.

HEMP - THE SUPER CROP?

Congress never intended for the cultivation of hemp to be halted.

"The production and sale of hemp and its products for industrial 
purposes will not be adversely affected by this bill" was the 
assurance given to the U. S. Senate when the Marijuana Tax Act ( MTA) 
of 1937 was presented.

Henry Anslinger, commissioner of narcotics at the Treasury 
Department, assured the acting chair of the subcommittee hearings, 
saying: "I would say they ( hemp growers) are not only amply 
protected under this act, but they can go ahead and raise hemp as 
they have always done it."

The Narcotics Bureau later placed restrictions on farmers that had 
the effect of making it impossible to cost-effectively cultivate 
hemp. The Controlled Substance Act ( CSA) of 1970 adopted, verbatim, 
the language regarding hemp from the MTA of 1937.

The records indicate that it was Congress's intention that the hemp 
industry be protected because of the crop's importance. In fact, in 
1994, President Bill Clinton signed National Defense Industrial 
Resources Preparedness Executive Order 12919, which listed hemp among 
the essential agricultural products that should be stocked for 
national security purposes.

The Drug Enforcement Agency ( DEA) does not distinguish between hemp 
and marijuana although there are major differences. Hemp has less 
that 1 percent THC ( the "high" producing component) compared to 5 to 
20 percent THC content for marijuana.

Hemp is planted close together to promote long stalks whereas 
marijuana is spaced apart to allow the plant to become bushy. Hemp is 
harvested five to six weeks before marijuana. Cross pollination of 
hemp with marijuana greatly dilutes the THC level. Some studies have 
shown cross pollination to take place on plots as far as five miles apart.

There is a growing movement in Washington to differentiate between 
hemp and marijuana. Kentucky's two U. S. Senators, Rand Paul and 
Mitch McConnell, have been vocal in this movement. Thirty nations 
allow cultivation of hemp, and the United States imports all its hemp 
products. Six states have already defined hemp as distinct and 
several other states ( including Kentucky) have pro-hemp legislation 
pending. The states that have enacted legislation will be poised to 
grow when Congress passes the necessary legislation.

What is so good about hemp? Could the benefits of hemp come close to 
making it a "super" crop? Kentucky has a rich history of hemp 
production. There are plenty of residents who recall seeing hemp 
fields here in Madison County. Many are aware of the long fibers in 
hemp plants that made it ideal for making rope.

Europe uses hemp for textile purposes as it is twice as strong as 
cotton and requires no chemical pesticides. Hemp is used for paper 
production, and paper made from hemp lasts three times longer than 
paper made from wood. Hemp paper production does not require the 
toxic substances wood paper production requires.

Hemp seeds and hemp seed oils are becoming more popular ingredients 
in food and cosmetics. Hemp oil, like fish oils, is high in omega- 3, 
which has been advised by the FDA as a way to help reduce coronary 
heart disease. Because of environmental contaminants like mercury in 
fish oil supplements, hemp oil products are gaining popularity as a 
substitute source of omega- 3.

Canadian producers use hemp to manufacture an assortment of body-care 
products. Hemp pulp is used to make lightweight boards and floor 
coverings in China. Automotive companies are moving towards hemp and 
other sustainable sources as alternatives to fiberglass and 
petroleum- based plastics. Hemcrete is a building system that 
combines hemp fiber with a lime binder for seamless wall construction 
and floor and roof insulation. Hemcrete is 50 percent lighter than 
concrete but up to seven times stronger, and is more elastic and less 
susceptible to cracking.

Hemp also holds significant potential for biofuel production. Because 
of its heartiness, hemp is cited as a crop that could yield biofuels 
without competing with food products. Because of its carbon exchange, 
rate hemp cultivation has potential for combating climate change.

In the United Kingdom hemp is being grown as part of a carbon 
offsetting program. New hemp based products continue to be developed.

Kentucky has the potential to be at the forefront of a brand new 
industry by being ready to take advantage of this opportunity. There 
is bipartisan support for this legislation as well as support from 
the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

You should contact your legislator as ask them to support 
establishing hemp as a legitimate crop. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom