I have often wondered why hemp farming is still banned in the US. Haven't we gotten over the whole reefer madness thing? It seems like such a versatile plant that we would be crazy not to be growing it. I've bought products made of hemp and they are good quality. It's so silly because the raw material can be imported and products can be made in the US. You just can't grow it. It is widely grown in other countries, isn't it?
Today there was a protest at the White House to promote hemp farming. Two days ago, Senator Wyden introduced an amendment to legalize hemp farming. There are movements in a couple of states to make hemp farming legal, too. Those states that have legalized it have the same problem with the Feds as those that have legalize medical marijuana.
Is there any valid reason why the US should still ban hemp?
Ron Wyden's amendment:
http://www.ktvz.com/...837/detail.html
Protest:
http://www.washingto...ry.html#photo=1
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1
Hemp Farming Ban in US
Started by FamilyTreeClimber, Jun 15 2012 11:13 PM
29 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 16 June 2012 - 03:09 AM
They would be worried about oversight of it and more government to police the growers (an omg moment
for the gop) -slipping in the smoking kind along with the less "high" hemp grown for rope and such.
Too many still call it a "gateway" drug to coke and heroin.
Once they figure out a way to tax it (grown by lower/middle income people) they will legalize it.
(Cynical side showing this morning)
for the gop) -slipping in the smoking kind along with the less "high" hemp grown for rope and such.
Too many still call it a "gateway" drug to coke and heroin.
Once they figure out a way to tax it (grown by lower/middle income people) they will legalize it.
(Cynical side showing this morning)
#3
Posted 16 June 2012 - 05:14 PM
We already have illegal marijuana farms within our state park service in California. Seems silly to worry that marijuana is going to be mixed in with hemp.
It's amazing that hemp used to be a basic crop in the US. Several of our founding fathers were hemp farmers. Now we feign fake horror at the thought of it being grown in our country.
It's amazing that hemp used to be a basic crop in the US. Several of our founding fathers were hemp farmers. Now we feign fake horror at the thought of it being grown in our country.
#5
Posted 16 June 2012 - 11:30 PM
Hardison, yes, it was a basic crop in the colonies and in the US through the 1930s. Hemp was banned in the US in 1937 when the Marijuana Tax Act was passed.
I remember reading an article in Vegetarian Times about 20 years ago about how hemp became illegal. In the 1930s, synthetic fiber production was becoming profitable. Some of the major players which I think included Getty, Rockefeller, and someone else saw hemp as an impediment to their profits in these new industries. Hemp was too versatile. They didn't want hemp stealing from their sales. They mounted a campaign which worked hand in hand with the Reefer Madness propaganda. If the article was right, their lobbying efforts effectively banned hemp farming in the US.
We're still fighting that battle today. Things have eased up a bit. You can make products from hemp in the US but you cannot grow it.
I remember reading an article in Vegetarian Times about 20 years ago about how hemp became illegal. In the 1930s, synthetic fiber production was becoming profitable. Some of the major players which I think included Getty, Rockefeller, and someone else saw hemp as an impediment to their profits in these new industries. Hemp was too versatile. They didn't want hemp stealing from their sales. They mounted a campaign which worked hand in hand with the Reefer Madness propaganda. If the article was right, their lobbying efforts effectively banned hemp farming in the US.
We're still fighting that battle today. Things have eased up a bit. You can make products from hemp in the US but you cannot grow it.
#6
Posted 17 June 2012 - 11:15 AM
I didn't know that hemp was grown in the US before. I learn something new every day on this website. 
It seems silly that you can make a product out of hemp and sell it legally in the US but you cannot grow it. I think the association to marijuana is the only reason it is banned. There are a lot of religious voters in the US so I don't think politicians will take the chance on voting to lift the ban anytime soon.
It seems silly that you can make a product out of hemp and sell it legally in the US but you cannot grow it. I think the association to marijuana is the only reason it is banned. There are a lot of religious voters in the US so I don't think politicians will take the chance on voting to lift the ban anytime soon.
#7
Posted 17 June 2012 - 11:24 AM
dissn_it, on 17 June 2012 - 11:15 AM, said:
I didn't know that hemp was grown in the US before. I learn something new every day on this website.
It seems silly that you can make a product out of hemp and sell it legally in the US but you cannot grow it. I think the association to marijuana is the only reason it is banned. There are a lot of religious voters in the US so I don't think politicians will take the chance on voting to lift the ban anytime soon.
It seems silly that you can make a product out of hemp and sell it legally in the US but you cannot grow it. I think the association to marijuana is the only reason it is banned. There are a lot of religious voters in the US so I don't think politicians will take the chance on voting to lift the ban anytime soon.
koch bros too.
#8
Posted 17 June 2012 - 01:26 PM
North Dakota and Vermont are the only two states to legalize hemp. This why I find this fascinating. North Dakota is a conservative state. They are heavily tied into fracking right now. The oil industry is booming in North Dakota. Yet, North Dakota has legalized hemp farming. How were they able to legalize hemp farming if the oil industry is so powerful in their state? I think there must be more factors at play.
I think sometimes in the US we pass laws for another era and then we continue to renew them as if the original issues are still relevant 40, 50 years later. And, we get a little bit stupid. Most politicians don't want to seem soft on crime, so they continue to renew the anti-marijuana laws even though they ban hemp farming, too. I bet there are a few elected officials who think hemp and marijuana are the same thing.
I think sometimes in the US we pass laws for another era and then we continue to renew them as if the original issues are still relevant 40, 50 years later. And, we get a little bit stupid. Most politicians don't want to seem soft on crime, so they continue to renew the anti-marijuana laws even though they ban hemp farming, too. I bet there are a few elected officials who think hemp and marijuana are the same thing.
#9
Posted 17 June 2012 - 03:37 PM
The entire thing sort of hurts my hair when they talk about the drug phobia they have. They go to the medicine cabinet and take out a bottle that one advertiser states, "if you have an erection that lasts longer than four hours, see your doctor". Other bottles that you are warned may give you a heart attack, a stroke, or if by chance you have died, get in touch with our law firm, we can help. A little liberty, but almost word for word. It is the craziest thing, the legal drugs will kill you, but we don't want you getting high on hemp. You can't handle it. Gees and crackers.
#10
Posted 17 June 2012 - 11:12 PM
Artistry, I know of a couple of people who firmly believe that if a drug is sold with a prescription it must be safe. It seems the warning labels about side effects are completely lost on them.
I wonder if any country has ever done a study to see how many problems (car accidents, shootings, financial problems, etc.) are caused by an addiction to prescription or over-the-counter medications. I bet we would be surprised by the results.
I wonder if any country has ever done a study to see how many problems (car accidents, shootings, financial problems, etc.) are caused by an addiction to prescription or over-the-counter medications. I bet we would be surprised by the results.
#11
Posted 18 June 2012 - 01:08 PM
Many who call themselves conservative are actually libertarian. That is, fiscally conservative, socially liberal. Libertarian John Stossel on Fox actually advocates decriminalizing pot and prostitution as well. Ultimate freedom for the individual while eliminating the criminal prohibition element.
The funny thing is, many who call themselves liberal are also libertarian. They are very pro abortion, etc. but also want responsible economic policy.
I also think legalization would solve a lot of social ills. Also, release for those busted for posession only.
The funny thing is, many who call themselves liberal are also libertarian. They are very pro abortion, etc. but also want responsible economic policy.
I also think legalization would solve a lot of social ills. Also, release for those busted for posession only.
#13
Posted 19 June 2012 - 05:04 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, you are so right. The underlining story here, would probably shock the country. The medicine cabinets around the country are filled with drugs that are potent, poison for your body. But as long as you bring the script to the counter, you may get as many refills as you want. Heaven help us. I don't think that legalizing illegal drugs, is the answer either.
#14
Posted 19 June 2012 - 08:26 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 16 June 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:
Hardison, yes, it was a basic crop in the colonies and in the US through the 1930s. Hemp was banned in the US in 1937 when the Marijuana Tax Act was passed.
I remember reading an article in Vegetarian Times about 20 years ago about how hemp became illegal. In the 1930s, synthetic fiber production was becoming profitable. Some of the major players which I think included Getty, Rockefeller, and someone else saw hemp as an impediment to their profits in these new industries. Hemp was too versatile. They didn't want hemp stealing from their sales. They mounted a campaign which worked hand in hand with the Reefer Madness propaganda. If the article was right, their lobbying efforts effectively banned hemp farming in the US.
We're still fighting that battle today. Things have eased up a bit. You can make products from hemp in the US but you cannot grow it.
I remember reading an article in Vegetarian Times about 20 years ago about how hemp became illegal. In the 1930s, synthetic fiber production was becoming profitable. Some of the major players which I think included Getty, Rockefeller, and someone else saw hemp as an impediment to their profits in these new industries. Hemp was too versatile. They didn't want hemp stealing from their sales. They mounted a campaign which worked hand in hand with the Reefer Madness propaganda. If the article was right, their lobbying efforts effectively banned hemp farming in the US.
We're still fighting that battle today. Things have eased up a bit. You can make products from hemp in the US but you cannot grow it.
Good grief. That is so tragic and unfortunate. I honestly thought the ban on hemp had been lifted because I see hemp food products in grocery stores. I have also seen hemp clothing. This site is so informative.
#15
Posted 19 June 2012 - 10:47 PM
Hardison, I remember buying a bag made of hemp a few years ago. I thought that they had lifted the ban as well. But, you can't grow it in the US.
I don't suppose we would ever study other countries to see if farming hemp has led to these social ills that people are afraid of. That would probably make too much sense.
Artistry, it seems to me that people point fingers at illegal drugs, some of which are harmful, but they will take their sleeping pills, depression pills, heart pills, and whatever else without flinching. If it comes from the pharmacy then it must be good for you.
I don't suppose we would ever study other countries to see if farming hemp has led to these social ills that people are afraid of. That would probably make too much sense.
Artistry, it seems to me that people point fingers at illegal drugs, some of which are harmful, but they will take their sleeping pills, depression pills, heart pills, and whatever else without flinching. If it comes from the pharmacy then it must be good for you.
#16
Posted 20 June 2012 - 03:05 PM
I think it's more political than anything else. The government is either afraid of the economical shift that it entails and the uncertainty that it will bring, or they know exactly what will happen and are trying to prevent it either to protect us, themselves, or their financiers. It's tough to know for sure what is the reason, but you are right, we are over the reefer madness and we now know that reefer isn't the main reason. If you ask me, the core reason is almost always about money.
#17
Posted 20 June 2012 - 05:22 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, how right you are. If it is promoted on telvision and written up by a doctor, they feel priviliged to be able to swallow crap that could very well over time, have their liver cooked. It is really pitiful the way people think. Do you notice the ads for the lawyers who want to take people's cases, whose bodies have been ravaged by legal drugs, which have nearly killed them? Just amazing.
#18
Posted 20 June 2012 - 10:46 PM
Artistry, yes, I've seen those. The more the FDA relies on pharmaceutical companies to provide the research data for drug approvals, the more of this we will see I am afraid.
Sometimes I watch the commercials for prescription medications with doubt. After I hear the list of possible side effects, I wonder if they are worse or the original problem you are trying to heal.
Sometimes I watch the commercials for prescription medications with doubt. After I hear the list of possible side effects, I wonder if they are worse or the original problem you are trying to heal.
#19
Posted 21 June 2012 - 02:09 PM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 19 June 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:
Hardison, I remember buying a bag made of hemp a few years ago. I thought that they had lifted the ban as well. But, you can't grow it in the US.
I have Hemp Plus granola in my cupboard. It's delicious by the way. My sister drinks Hemp Milk. I haven't summonded up the courage to try it yet. I use a hemp reusable grocery bag. The hemp that is used to make these products are all imported? That really doesn't make sense. I'm going to be writing someone about that.
#20
Posted 21 June 2012 - 11:21 PM
Hardison, yes, it's imported. Silly, isn't it? We could grow it here in the US except for the archaic laws.
You know, some poisonous mushrooms look exactly like edible mushrooms. Maybe we should ban mushrooms in case someone accidentally eats the wrong one. I think I'll get that campaign going.
You know, some poisonous mushrooms look exactly like edible mushrooms. Maybe we should ban mushrooms in case someone accidentally eats the wrong one. I think I'll get that campaign going.
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