House OK's Hemp farms

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fabzilla
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House OK's Hemp farms

Post by fabzilla » 03-25-2005 03:20 AM

House OKs hemp farms

By NORMA LOVE

Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. -- The House voted Wednesday to allow farmers to grow hemp -- a close relative of marijuana -- despite federal hurdles to planting the controversial crop.

Supporters argued that hemp, which has a very low content of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, has unfairly been characterized as the same as marijuana.

"This is not marijuana. This is hemp," insisted Hopkinton Democrat Derek Owen, who added that hemp has been grown for thousands of years.
Hemp, known for its strong fiber, is used in a wide range of products, including clothing, canvas, rope, fiberglass, insulation, automobile clutch- and brake-liners, cement and paper. It can be grown legally in other countries, including Canada and China.

"Hemp is one of the oldest, most useful plants known to man," said Owen.
Owen argued it would provide a niche crop for the state's farmers.

But opponents said hemp should be considered as dangerous to children as marijuana and remain outlawed. When young, hemp leaves can cause a similar hallucinogenic effect to marijuana, argued Merrimack Republican Peter Batula.

"We don't need fields of this marijuana plant out there for picking at harvest time," said Batula.

Milford Republican Ryan Hansen argued New Hampshire should wait until federal rules are changed to permit the crop.

"The problem with this bill is it isn't going to allow farmers to grow hemp," said Hansen.

Hemp can be grown only with permission from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Last fall, a hemp research project in Hawaii was shut down after it ran out of money and turned in its permit to the DEA.

The bill would let farmers grow hemp after obtaining a permit. The state would issue licenses to grow hemp and be the sole supplier of the seed. The state also would regulate the industry. People with criminal records involving drug offenses within 10 years would not qualify for a permit.

The 199-168 vote sent the bill to the Senate.

http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413, ... 80,00.html



Not that the senate will approve it, but it is a step in the right direction.

fab
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Post by mudwoman » 03-25-2005 03:36 AM

Good luck New Hampshire! Will see what the Feds do about this. Not very hopeful on that front.

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Post by fabzilla » 03-25-2005 03:44 AM

MW, it is nice to see some states standing up for themselves against the almighty fed.

It's about damn time people started with their regional authority and promoting change.

fab
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Post by mudwoman » 03-25-2005 04:02 AM

Agreed Fab, but the feds are still arresting people, or confiscating their stash of medical pot. So the state laws are not protecting us all that well. The feds are telling the states what to do every day. Marriage, buying medication from other countries, the right to die, and all sorts of other things. Under the current King Bush, the states are going to have to push back very hard to just maintain.

So, I applaud NH for taking this baby step, and wish them good luck. ;)

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Post by fabzilla » 03-25-2005 04:06 AM

The feds are out of control indeed.

I saw somewhere Portland was trying to opt out of the Homeland Security network.

Interesting, and a few are rebuking the Police State Act , I mean Patriot Act, maybe more will join in the fray.

hmmm, alot going on....

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Post by mudwoman » 03-25-2005 04:12 AM

fabzilla wrote:

hmmm, alot going on....

fab
And a long way to go...

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Post by fabzilla » 03-25-2005 04:14 AM

At least there is progress happening, although in little pockets, it's a start.

Maybe too little too late, but I do maintain hope.
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Post by GravityThrillz » 03-26-2005 11:02 PM

Maybe too little too late, but I do maintain hope.

without hope,what is there?
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Post by Linnea » 03-26-2005 11:11 PM

Go New Hampshire!!!

Thanks for posting this, fab

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