Industrial
Hemp
Making
Strides
Worldwide
9/18/98
This week, industrial hemp supporters won major victories in three different parts of the world. The Rand Corporation pledged 25 million dollars for a five year project to develop a strong South African Hemp industry, Gov. Ben Cayetano, governor of Hawaii, came out in favor of industrial hemp, and a North Dakota State University (NDSU) study says industrial hemp has great potential and should be grown in the U.S. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald asked candidates to give their positions on a number of issues for its election guide. Cayetano went as far as to tell the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, "I wear occasionally a product made of hemp." "Hawaii is in a severe economic slump. Industrial hemp can provide a viable substitute for failing crops," said Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R-Kenoehe) "I believe Governor Cayetano is the first governor in the nation to support it and we are delighted. Now, it's time for the federal government to get out of the way and let our state farmers make money again," Thielen told The Week Online. David Kraenzel, of the NDSU agriculture economics department, presented his study to the legislative Interim Commerce and Agricultural Committee last Thursday at the State Capitol. The Bismarck Tribune reported a favorable reception to the idea of allowing hemp cultivation by the committee. Since Canada has recently legalized industrial hemp, Tim Petry of NDSU believes progress will be easier in a year when there is better data available. Businesses seem very interested in getting involved with South African Hemp. James Wynn of the South African Hemp Company (SAHC) told Engineering News that "Demand for hemp products worldwide has increased by 233% over the past two years." Unfortunately there are some legislative hurdles that may impede the viability of this plan. The Department of Health must issue permits for growing hemp. But, it only meets once every six weeks and hemp permits are often pushed aside for more pressing matters of business. "A whole season can be missed because it takes months before a permit is cleared," said Wynn. Chris Conrad, president of the Business Alliance for Commercial Hemp, told the Week Online that Canada has "set the tone for competition." "The developments of this past week are a good example of how economics and science are slowly but surely taking precedence over the politics of marijuana," said Conrad. The office of National Drug Control Policy has a very different view of industrial hemp. Its official statement on the subject says that "legalizing hemp would send a confusing message to our youth... and may lead to de facto legalization of marijuana cultivation." The statement goes on to say that the "production of hemp appears to offer no relief to farmers or manufacturers of textiles or paper as an alternative crop or product."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
