I ran across this article in my files and thought I would pass it on. I cannot remember the source. This is a thumbnail of info on Hemp production from 1998. What I find interesting is that current activity to legalize industrial hemp cultivation is NOT NEW. The problem is, Washington has stonewalled any action in this regard. Moreover, 100% of hemp products sold in the U.S., which, oddly, is perfectly legal, IS IMPORTED! To make matters worse, the imported hemp has a very high tariff! This is preposterous! Tariffs are usually placed on imported products to inhibit its competition with U.S. produced products. This is not the case with hemp products, since there is NONE in the U.S.! It is time Washington listens and uses Hemp to help us out of the economic mess we are in! Let's flood Congress with letters, emails and phone calls! Let's make this issue a priority!
1998 Hemp Production
State Study Findings
Each of the three 1998 studies focused on different
aspects of supply and/or demand. Since
a major producer of certified hemp seed in the past, it
is one of the main markets mentioned in the 1998
study. Also, the horse racing industry in the State
could be a significant buyer of hemp hurds for animal
bedding.
Thus, the
largest market opportunity for the State may be hemp
seed oil. The
because of the pulp and paper industry in the
reports are in Appendix III.)
All three of the studies do mention hemp’s benefits as
a rotation crop. As stated in the
hemp may provide an excellent rotation crop for
traditional crops to avoid outbreaks of insect and disease
problems or to suppress weeds (Ehrensing). The
and conditions soils by replacing organic matter and
providing aeration through its extensive root system
(Kraenzel et al.).
The Kentucky Task Force had a broad mandate to
examine legal, agronomic, and economic aspects of
hemp production. In 1995, the majority of the
Kentucky Task Force concluded that legal prohibition
of Cannabis cultivation was the overriding obstacle to
reintroduction of fiber hemp production in
Significant progress on agronomics, marketing, or
infrastructure development is unlikely, and of relatively
little importance, unless legal issues are resolved
(McNulty).
The
Since industrial hemp may have potential as an alternative
rotation crop, the report recommends that the North
Dakota Legislature consider action that would allow
controlled experimental production and processing.
This would allow collection and analysis of necessary
baseline production, processing, and marketing data. At
the same time, the concerns and costs of law enforcement
agencies could be addressed (Kraenzel et al.).
YES!!!! LET'S DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IF.......Could it be that the Medical Marijuana issue will bring Industrial Hemp Production up in priorities? WOW! Just imagine......
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog here and knew you would produce other articles worth reading, great work. I'm looking to see more.
ReplyDelete