cannabisnews.com: Hemp Bill Clears One Test 





Hemp Bill Clears One Test 
Posted by FoM on January 10, 2001 at 09:57:38 PT
By Nancy Chesley, Quad-City Times
Source: Quad-City Times
Supporters of plans to test an alternative crop for Illinois farmers leapt a major hurdle Tuesday, but others remain before industrial hemp takes root in the state. The Illinois House passed legislation 67-47 that would approve studies at two state universities aimed at determining whether the plant could have a productive future in farm fields. 
The studies would be conducted through the agriculture departments at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Federal permits must be secured because it is illegal to grow industrial hemp. Federal and state laws do not distinguish between the plant and its better-known cousin, marijuana. Both share the botanical name cannabis sativa. A second hurdle is money. Rep. I. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton, said it could cost up to $1 million to establish the test plots and monitor results. The Legislature still must vote to pay the bills. Fencing would need to go up at SIU to protect the site. The University of Illinois has a secure site already, Lawfer, a sponsor of the legislation, said. Lawfer is an enthusiastic supporter of industrial hemp. He cited a plethora of products made from the plant in other countries where it is grown. Anti-drug activists have charged that the measure desensitizes people to the menace of illegal drugs. Their concerns and opposition of the Illinois State Police won over some representatives from largely agricultural districts. "Agriculture is important in my district, however, I don't think it's the right direction to go," said Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, who voted against the idea. "It's opening the door." The measure goes to the governor, who has not taken a position.Source: Quad-City Times (IA)Author: Nancy Chesley, Quad-City Times Published: January 10, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Quad-City TimesAddress: 500 E. Third St., Davenport, IA 52801Fax: (319) 383-2370Contact: opinions qctimes.comWebsite: http://www.qctimes.com/Feedback: http://www.qctimes.com/write_edletter/writeletter.htmlRelated Articles:Lawmakers Vote To Study Hemp's Uses http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8260.shtmlHemp Crop Study Comes Up For Vote In Illinois http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8232.shtmlCannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml 
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Comment #3 posted by NiftySplifty on January 10, 2001 at 18:40:46 PT
They shouldn't ignore the DEA.
What they should do is hang it from its ankles and shake all the change out of its pockets. Then, ultimately, just pitch it in the dumpster. Hopefully, it would land on the IRS.Nifty...
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Comment #2 posted by Rainbow on January 10, 2001 at 11:03:56 PT
DEA??
Seems there are several people ignoring our DEA
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 10, 2001 at 10:40:21 PT:
Related Article
Ill. Bill Would Study Hemp as Alternative Crophttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8266.shtml
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