cannabisnews.com: Californians To Defy US Hemp Ban on Cash Crop





Californians To Defy US Hemp Ban on Cash Crop
Posted by CN Staff on August 28, 2006 at 17:06:06 PT
By Richard Luscombe in Miami
Source: Guardian Unlimited
United Kingdom -- California farmers are on a high after the liberal state moved to overturn part of a 70-year-old US ban on growing and harvesting cannabis plants.But those hoping that the so-called Golden State is about to become a marijuana smokers' paradise will be disappointed. The California proposal relates only to the cultivation of industrial hemp, used in the manufacture of items such as cosmetics, food, paper and clothing.
"Hemp bears no more resemblance to marijuana than a poodle bears to a wolf," said Tom McClintock, a Republican state senator who backed legislation that would reverse one key section of a 1937 law banning the growth of all types of the plant. "You'd die from smoke inhalation before you'd get high."The hemp issue has been burning slowly for decades. Farmers including the former US presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew the plants on their land. But the wide-ranging federal ban put an end to that.Those who want it lifted argue that industrial hemp bears no relation to marijuana because it contains only trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana.National drug-control policy opposes the legalisation of hemp because it argues that crops could be mixed with marijuana plants and would be very hard to detect."California is a great climate to grow pot in, and no one from law enforcement is going through the fields to do a chemical analysis of different plants,"said a drug-control official.While six states have passed bills supporting hemp farming, California's is the first to mount a direct challenge to the federal ban by arguing that no special permit would be needed from the Drug Enforcement Administration.The final say now rests with California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, after the state's assembly approved the Industrial Hemp Farming Act by 44 votes to 29. He is thought unlikely to veto it.The legislation requires that hemp crops be tested to ensure they do not contain THC. It does not specify how the testing would be carried out, but there is expected to be no shortage of volunteers.Eric Steenstra, president of the Vote Hemp campaign, said the future of an industry worth $270m (£142m) a year would be protected. "We thank legislators from both parties that listened to the facts about industrial hemp and made a historic decision to bring back the crop," he said."It's a major accomplishment for thousands of environmentally conscious voters, farmers and businesses."California has a thriving industry in the manufacture of products made from hemp, which also includes luggage, toys, sports equipment, jewellery and rope. Energy bars are particularly popular because hemp is high in essential fatty acids, protein, Vitamin B and fibre. Until now, however, raw materials have had to be imported from Canada, where hemp cultivation was legalised in 1998.Those in the industry told the New York Times that the biggest flaw in the federal ban was that it did not take into account the genetic differences between industrial and THC-rich hemp."They want to lump together all things cannabis," said David Bronner, whose family business makes environmentally friendly cosmetics and snack products using hemp oil in Escondido, California. "You don't associate a poppy-seed bagel with opium."Hemp thrived as a crop before the 1937 ban. It earned a temporary reprieve during the second world war, when farmers were urged to "Grow Hemp for Victory" to help produce military equipment such as parachute cords and boots.Note:· Marijuana's biological cousin wins state support· Drug officials fear plants could be mixed in fields Complete Title: Californians To Defy US Hemp Ban on 'Environment Friendly' Cash Crop Source: Guardian Unlimited (UK)Author: Richard Luscombe in MiamiPublished: Tuesday, August 29, 2006Copyright: 2006 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:Vote Hemphttp://www.votehemp.com/California Seeks to Clear Hemp of a Bad Name http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22108.shtmlHemp Bill Heads for Schwarzenegger's Deskhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22098.shtmlAg Hemp Bill Headed To Governorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22091.shtml
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on August 29, 2006 at 11:33:34 PT
museman
Now I'll be looking out for Peter's twitch. I don't what it means though.
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Comment #33 posted by museman on August 29, 2006 at 11:20:41 PT
Weeds
Watch out for the twitch in Peters' left eye - it's a dead give-away. 
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Comment #32 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 23:28:40 PT
OT: Steal This Film
http://www.stealthisfilm.com/
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Comment #31 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 22:19:49 PT
BGreen
I agree with what you said.You will enjoy Weeds. I think most people are getting the highlights by us commenting but there is way more then we talk about going on. The show sometimes makes me feel like I'm still a Church Lady! LOL!
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Comment #30 posted by BGreen on August 28, 2006 at 22:10:54 PT
I hear ya, whig
I just got the first season on DVD but haven't seen a single episode so far.I just kind of ignore all of the discussion, but I'm sure that will become more difficult after I become familiar with the characters on the show.FoM, if there was any kind of support from the governor of the state law allowing medical cannabis, I guarantee you there wouldn't be an escalation in the persecution and prosecution of doctors, dispensaries and patients like we're seeing.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 21:54:58 PT
BGreen
That's what I thought too. He hasn't really tried to help with the medical marijuana problems unless I just don't know about it.
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 21:53:04 PT
Whig
This season is good with all kinds of twists. We haven't mentioned them all by any means. Somethings are best left unsaid. LOL!
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Comment #27 posted by BGreen on August 28, 2006 at 21:51:20 PT
The answer is simple, FoM
No.State law means nothing to the current governor of CA. He's a bush lover and has already surrendered the autonomy of his state to the federal government.Signing the bill gives him false credibility as a supporter of hemp, but he knows full well that he will allow the dictators in Washington to interfere.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #26 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 21:46:39 PT
Spoilers
I don't have Showtime, so I'm trying not to read too closely. I'll download the episode when it's up on mininova and watch it soon.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 21:28:44 PT
A Question
If Governor Schwarzenegger signs the Bill will he stand by it if the Federal government pulls one upsmanship I wonder?
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Comment #24 posted by mayan on August 28, 2006 at 21:10:44 PT
Waiting On Arnold
He should either sign it or veto it immediately and give California farmers ample time to plan what they're going to grow next year. This could be so huge!THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Filmmaker: ‘Sergeant Buswell Is A True Patriot’:
http://www.lonestaricon.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=448&z=56Rock Frontman Invites Viewing Millions To See Alex Jones Movie:
http://www.jonesreport.com/articles/280806_muse.htmlTerrorStorm Texas Premiere a Huge Success!
http://www.infowars.com/articles/alex/terrorstorm_texas_premiere_huge_success.html9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20060827145953240AZ Radio Host Deconstructs Popular Mechanics' 9/11 Disinfo Researcher:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20060826165457842
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:52:51 PT
Hope
I think he loves Nancy. He married her so she would be sure he wouldn't turn on her.
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:44:57 PT
That "mixed" marriage...
It would be harder for them than different religions!
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:43:47 PT
They won't get the little guys....?
I've heard that fiction before.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:42:24 PT
So the DEA agent loves her?
I do wish there was more love around.But the DEA? Love?Sounds kinda weird.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:41:53 PT
Dankhank
I don't think the real DEA likes it very much. LOL!
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:40:31 PT
The real DEA?
They're probably looking for grounds to sue the program on!
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:40:02 PT
Hope
I meant her new DEA husband would help her not Conrad but Conrad will come around. I could be wrong because this show goes where no other show I've seen goes. Just when you think you figure it out something changes.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:39:33 PT
Oh my gosh! A garden?!!!!
Those people are scaring me to death! And I don't even watch the show!Lol!
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Comment #15 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2006 at 20:39:01 PT
naaaah ...
I think that they're gonna make it work for both of them, that's what the marriage certificate is for.Conrad wants to grow weed ...Hey, what do you think the REAL DEA thinks about the show?When he said we don't get the little guys I thought of WAMM.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:37:48 PT
Hope
I think he will wind up helping Nancy with the soon to be garden they will be setting up in a house.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:36:30 PT
Conrad
Hope, Conrad is a black friend who is going into business with Nancy and the others and when Nancy told Conrad that she slept with a DEA agent he said he wouldn't work with her anymore. So she stopped seeing him and Conrad came back.
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:32:33 PT
Probably
she'll lose all her customers!
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:31:52 PT
Conrad...if he's who I think he is
will probably freak and cut her off!
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:31:02 PT
ekim
That's just beautiful!I hadn't seen that before, although I've heard of it often enough.Thank you!
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 20:29:00 PT
Hope and Dankhank
No he said he wasn't interested in her small time business. It really is a crazy show. Not just sleeping with the enemy but married to the enemy. Wait until Conrad finds out. Oh dear. LOL!
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Comment #8 posted by ekim on August 28, 2006 at 20:24:34 PT
Rnold this was written before you were born
http://www.jackherer.com/popmech.htmlPopular Mechanics - February 1938
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:23:18 PT
She married the DEA agent?
Oh my gosh! Where could the story be going now?Guess she'll give up the business!
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Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2006 at 19:49:47 PT
Oh, yea ...
Hey ... homework ...This is the craziest show ...gotta love it, though ...
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 19:29:30 PT
Dankhank
Oh my they got married! 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 18:43:57 PT
Dankhank
I have a couple chocolate Yukon bars. They might taste good with root beer. Nah. This is such a good series. I know it is way out there but it is really entertaining. 
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Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2006 at 18:39:49 PT
oh no ...
We got ice cream, but no root beer ...bummer ...till Weeds starts ...
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 17:31:45 PT
Dankhank
I really hope he does. My sister asks me if I heard anything on the Bill and I said no. She is a republican and she really hopes he will sign the bill. PS: Weeds tonight! I don't have an ice cream to make a root beer float tonight though. Bummer. 
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Comment #1 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2006 at 17:25:57 PT
Ahnold ...
Great to read that Ahnold likely will not veto.We can only hope ...Peace, Ahnold, do the right thing, please?
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