Industrial hemp may be one of the most versatile and environmentally benign crops out there, but because of its relationship to marijuana, the cultivation of this crop has been banned in the United States since the late thirties. Last week, a group of farmers, along with David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, staged a protest in front of the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington, DC, and were promptly arrested for planting hemp seeds on the agency’s front lawn.
The farmers’ arrest highlights the contradictions surrounding hemp cultivation in the US: it’s perfectly legal to sell products made from the plant, but growing it can get you in trouble. As such, American farmers are missing out on an economic opportunity. Hemp’s economic and environmental value stems from a number of relatively unique qualities:
- Its versatility: hemp’s fiber and seeds make it ideal for a wide range of products, including paper, edible oil, biofuels, plastics, and textiles.
- Its pest resistance: Hemp is resistant to most known agricultural pests, and even provides ground cover to prevent the growth of weeds. Generally, no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides are necessary to grow it as a cash crop.
- Its ease on soil: Hemp cultivation helps fix nutrients in soil because the plant concentrates such elements and compounds in the leaves and roots… and the latter stays in the soil after harvest.
- Its ease on water supplies: Hemp requires about half the amount of water for cultivation compared to crops like cotton.
While several states have legalized the cultivation of hemp, federal law has the upper hand here. The unlikely duo of Ron Paul and Barney Frank introduced legislation last Spring that would legalize the farming of non-psychoactive industrial hemp.
This one seems like a no-brainer: shouldn’t we allow our farmers to grow such a beneficial (and potentially profitable) crop? Let us know what you think…
via Chelsea Green
October 23rd, 2009 - 11:18 pm
i am in total agreement, how may i help? by signing petitions, how to educate others, job opportunties, volunteer etc…. naturestears@yahoo.com
bless be
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kate stewart
October 23rd, 2009 - 11:23 pm
That’s just dumb. “Non-psychoactive”? What’s the point in arresting anyone for a plant that’s NOT A DRUG?
October 23rd, 2009 - 11:47 pm
Industrial hemp was an important crop for George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. No known reports they tried to smoke any. Is our government really this stupid? OK, please don’t answer that.
October 24th, 2009 - 7:22 pm
Once again, Congress doesn’t want to involve government in our lives, thus they don’t want to “demand” the insurance companies treat us fairly. However, they will shove government into our lives when it comes to raising a financially feasible and valuable crop that unfortunately bears a name similar to a plant that is a — wait for it, wait for it: DRUG. Government has become nothing more than big business under the guise of “citizen protectors.”
October 29th, 2009 - 4:29 am
Perhaps you should give us full information instead of half information ;tell us whats the government’s side of argument-why do they want it grown?May be there are side effects but if what youve said in this web page is the whole picture personally I dont see why the government should resist-the plant is bringing opportunities.But give us the full picture first so that we are able to judge.
October 29th, 2009 - 1:18 pm
cyrus– would love to give you the government’s side of the argument, but, so far, have been unable to find it. I do know that its legal to sell products made from hemp in the US (including food products such as hemp oil). I did take a look at the Controlled Substances Act’s section on evaluating a substance for control, and can’t see how industrial hemp fits any of the criteria… but judge for yourself.