Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Hemp-growing rules take step forward in North Dakota

Hemp-growing rules take step forward in North Dakota

Nov 16, 2006 - 16:57:43 CST

By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- State rules for growing industrial hemp are close to taking effect, although federal drug agents will have the final say on whether farmers may cultivate it, Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson said.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued a letter Wednesday saying the proposed rules comply with state law. A legislative committee that reviews North Dakota agency regulations still must go over them before they take effect, Johnson said.

Industrial hemp is a relative of marijuana, but does not have the hallucinogenic chemical that provides a "high" when the leaf is smoked. It is used to produce an assortment of goods, including paper, rope, clothing and cosmetics.

Industrial hemp cultivation is legal in Canada and other countries, but it is banned in the United States, a situation that Johnson and North Dakota lawmakers have been working to reverse. Johnson and other state agriculture officials met with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials last February in Washington, D.C., to discuss the issue.

North Dakota farmers who want to grow industrial hemp must undergo a criminal background check, provide their fingerprints, and let law enforcement officials know the exact location of their fields, the proposed Agriculture Department regulations say.

Farmers must document the amounts of harvested hemp they sell, and to whom, and show that their hemp seeds have less than three-tenths of 1 percent of the hallucinogenic chemical THC.

Even if the state conditions are met, the Drug Enforcement Administration must agree to allow hemp to be grown before any state license is issued, Johnson said.

Hemp has a number of benefits for producers, Johnson said. It grows rapidly, generates a great deal of usable fiber, and does not require much, if any, pesticide, he said.

"I think from an agronomic standpoint, it will be very attractive ... assuming that there's a decent market for it," Johnson said. "The reason it will take a while to develop is because it's been illegal in this country for a long time."

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Comments

toodle do wrote on Dec 2, 2006 10:58 AM:

" www.hemphasis.net...and..http://naihc.org ..the use for industrial hemp will grow further if americans have the chance to develop it.The jute back carpet under my feet.The sub flooring particle board. Oriented strand board [OSB],on my roof and walls. "

riffraff wrote on Nov 29, 2006 1:53 PM:

" Did anyone else notice that the recreational marijuana measure in Nevada was about 7% of the vote away from passing in November? http://www.regulatemarijuana.org Called for a system of regulation and taxation and everything, although it would have been interesting to see how that panned out with the federal laws and all. That's up 5% from their effort in 2002. So, in a few years, possibly in 2010, that's more than likely going to pass. Meanwhile, I believe California and Michigan have already announced similar measures for the 2008 ballot. If the politicians in this state wanted to do something truly innovative that would attract plenty of intelligent and hard working residents (responsible marijuana users), they should do everything they can to pass a similar law as soon as possible. It's going to happen at some point in this country anyway. Why don't we lead the way, while addressing our binge drinking, meth, and "brain drain" problems at the same time? But alas, ND will most likely be the last state in the nation to legalize it when it happens. Oh yes, so as to not be totally off-topic, I support industrial hemp in North Dakota. hooray for good strong rope and omega 3 fatty acids. "

RopeAdope wrote on Nov 28, 2006 9:21 PM:

" Sorry, I did not mean to end any discussion in this area. I am not a DEA agent and no one is going to get arrested for comments. I did work in Narcotics Rehab for several years and things get complicated. The scheming and sad stories could fill up a library. Hemp seeds imported to this country are supposed to be sterilized. Unfortunately imported products are seldom perfect. Young people curious about hemp learn what to look for to spot fertile seeds in a birdseed bag. When you see someone looking closely at birdseed bags and selecting only one or two then maybe they are interested in more than health of the bird? Then they find out it is only good for fabric. But when the Hemp Leaves look like marijuana leaves then there's temptation to add a little smokable dope to a cigarette and claim it is a new hybrid. Every generation thinks they invented sex, drugs, and scheming. Like in college hazings things can go bad quickly. If someone gets something like LSD, and puts a little on some hemp, claiming a new marijuana hybrid.... And if the victim thinks he is a bird and flies off a tall building... Then you have the suicide counselors passing out information on spotting depression and all that confusion from the good daytime people who have little understanding of the night big city problems. Nighttime is that time when the teenagers and the parolees seem to be in the majority in big city streets. Big cities bring problems to little cities. Hollywood and the internet rub it in everyone face. If you want to know how to grow marijuana or where to buy water pipes then watch the movies and check the internet. But the more a person goes down that road the more he or she will waste their lives hurting the people they love the most. By the way, my friend that planted the hemp crop at the local shotgun range later became a narcotics counselor. I read that hemp makes very good fibers for clothing and rope etc. "

RopeAdope wrote on Nov 26, 2006 10:26 PM:

" In another place an acquaintance learned that store bought birdseed has hemp in it (somebody read the label). He and a friend planted several at the local shotgun club where sprinkler system did the watering for them (he says it's the big round seeds in the bag). He said because it looks like marijuana they sold a bunch and made some cash. Then when their clientele found out they were smoking rope, not dope, they had to move out of town in a very hasty manner. Farmers need not worry about midnight harvesters. First the word gets out about the rope smoking. Then the word gets out about the 50-50 rope & dope mixers increasing their profit margin. Then people start showing up at the local hospital who claim to have either fell down stairs or fell off ladders. "

Deb wrote on Nov 26, 2006 7:51 PM:

" I'm an expert on weed now? Uh, cuz, feel free to edu-macate me. If you'll notice on this thread I do not make myself out to be a hemp expert, but a friend of a man who owns a hemp textile company. Feel free to keep the mary-jane themed posts coming, as most are over my head. Would you call that "high?" "

cousin it wrote on Nov 26, 2006 5:40 PM:

" I see Deb is an expert on this one too. Surprise surprise. When will it end "

Today wrote on Nov 25, 2006 9:16 AM:

" Yesterday my daughter told me that hemp was a natural pesticide. Anyone know if that is true? So I am thinking you could surround your fields with hemp, and the hoppers would stay away. Any thoughts? I like nature, but the less pesticides in our food supply chain the better it seems to me. "

zelda wrote on Nov 25, 2006 2:25 AM:

" ummm, I didn't think it sounded threatening (sorry if my comments threatened YOU)I do not have an agenda. I'm only attempting to put a bit of humor into a topic that could be very easily ramped up into an "us" vs. "them" argument. Dearie, I KNOW that this is not Jane Fonda country and I KNOW that this is not Joan Baez country,but I also know that North Dakota is not an island unto itself.Shalom "

still disillusioned? wrote on Nov 25, 2006 12:09 AM:

" To: Don't Need It: Here is a website that describes all the uses for hemp. Hemp has been used for thousands - yes, I said thousands of years. Do yourself a favor - READ IT and GET EDUCATED! http://www.hemphasis.net/chart.htm "

Dave Bundy, editor wrote on Nov 24, 2006 10:26 PM:

" To Don't Need It: All the counting is automated, and I believe it only counts the number of comments made in the last seven days. That's how stories eventually fall off the list, when they are no longer commented on regularly. Otherwise, the Bobcat strike stories remain on the top of the list forever. It's not a perfect system, but it is the best we can do. "

don't need it wrote on Nov 24, 2006 10:20 PM:

" This one's for the Tribune. I appreciate the opportunity you have provided for opposing opinions to be posted and heard. Just one concern: your current blog count in response to this article is sorely undercounted. I think it's over 55 and counting. The only reason I mention this is because I obviously think this story and the further discussion it has generated should get more attention. The number of blogs submitted might just be the trigger that invites others to read what's been presented and help them form an opinion on this important issue. "

don't need it wrote on Nov 24, 2006 10:08 PM:

" To (S)moker, not one mention of hemp. Looks like I "smoked out" your true intention. Pushing for the legalization of marijuana. Thanks for making my point that this is the real agenda here. You want to talk about a movie that is unbelievable. How about "Fast times at Ridgemont High". It's sad to say there are already too many of todays youth that are real life examples of those underachieving potheads. To Still Disillusioned: I'm not on the side making the claims like "hemp's 25,000 uses". Thank you at least for revising that figure down by 22,000. I think you still have a ways to go. You might be closer if you cited just the two mentioned by "Zelda", rope and clothing. Except that you would be citing two byproducts of hemp likely to get their butts kicked in head to head competition with the real market place, you know ...where people without a marijuana legalization agenda shop. And please Zelda. "Law enforcement military industrial complex". While you tried to make that sound as threatening as possible I have to tell you..this is North Dakota. Joan Biaz and Jane Fonda don't live in America's heartland. Instead let me be the first to thank you for mentioning in five words some of the people working the hardest to keep this great country, safe, strong and free. "

rbeesh wrote on Nov 24, 2006 9:57 PM:

" wow i thought news reporters were supposed to be pretty knowledgeable. first of all hemp is a very durable and reliable way to make things that people can use for many years. second it is a relative of marijuana. and Wetzel, you do not smoke marijuana leaves, you smoke buds off the plant. the drug in marijuana is not a hallucinogenic chemical, its called THC and it is a stronger version of the kind of buzz or high you get from a ciggarette. research. "

zelda wrote on Nov 24, 2006 3:00 PM:

" Jeepers! I don't know what all the fuss is about... We the People could have access to a product that would benefit us in many ways (rope, clothing etc.)and the law enforcement military industrial complex could still have access to federal funds to fill their coffers in order to surveil farmers' fields! It's a win win proposition. But then it wouldn't be very exciting for them to bust a field of stationary plants only to find that there was not enough thc in them to have warranted it in the first place. "

Moker wrote on Nov 24, 2006 2:57 PM:

" OK, "don't need it," the RACISM comes into play because those who used marijuana in the 20's and 30's were primarily Mexican immigrant workers and southern blacks, as well as the non-puritanical "riff-raff" that appreciated and performed that evil new "swing" music. Marijuana was made illegal because of misinformation spread by the Federal government (ever seen "Reefer Madness" before? UNbelievable.) and racist attitudes toward Mexicans. About the same time marijuana was banned in the USA, possession and use by Mexican immigrants inside our borders became a deporting offense. It was a good way to get rid of excess Mexicans. Well, 75 years later or so, the weed is still illegal, and we're up to our eyeballs in Mexicans. It seems racism is no longer en vogue with Uncle Sam, but believing myths about marijuana certainly IS. Another poster says marijuana is indeed hallucinogenic. Again, the fact is that it's NOT. It's in a class of its own. It's "technically" classified under the "H" class simply because it has non properties of a depressant, stimulant, or other classes of drugs. If you hallucinate after smoking marijuana, beat the person who provided it, because it was laced with something else. And highly addictive? NOT! There are no physically addictive traits to the stuff. WHY do people buy into all this false BS without even attempting to check the FACTS? "

still disillusioned? wrote on Nov 24, 2006 11:17 AM:

" To: don't nsed it. How long have you been an agent for the D.E.A.? Your statements are gross exaggerations and merit little if any consideration. Your kind, are blatantly incorrect in your accusations. Hemp has been used for over 3,000 items, from cosmetics to paper to medicinal purposes. It would be a positive shot in the arm for the famers of N.D. for a lucrative cash crop like the farmers are enjoying in Canada. "

obey the law wrote on Nov 24, 2006 10:30 AM:

" Marijuana is illegal because it is a hallucinogen. Marijuana is illegal because it is highly addictive. Legalizing it does not eliminate its addictive or hallucinogenic qualities. It only makes it readily available to people who currently obey the law and dont use it. "

don't need it wrote on Nov 23, 2006 10:28 PM:

" Gene dakota farmer.. You argue for hemp yet you admit you only use one of it's byproducts..rope "very seldom" Now that's a glowing endorsement. You then tout hemp and say it would be a huge industry for "all it uses". You don't site any other uses and then I think you try to equate hemp's promise to ethanol. Please... but since you brought it up, honest business persons will tell you ethanol production is only currently viable in the U.S. because of U.S. GOVERNMENT subsidies that have been paid to ethanol producers for perceived reasons of national security and not profitability. Nobody has bothered to site glowing statistics for the worldwide production of hemp because the TRUTH is it's pitifully insignificant even in countries where it's been legal for years. And lastly it's curious that you know that cross pollinated marijuana looses some of it's potency. Notice I correctly said some but not all of it's potency. Most people don't know that and don't care. Apparently you do. hum... "

gene dakota farmer rancher wrote on Nov 23, 2006 11:26 AM:

" I'm a real slow typer so please read slowly!First off is the fact that as a farmer and cattle rancher my use of hemp rope is limited to "very seldom", although i have some on hand and use it when needed.Has any one seen a large round bale of hay?, and wondered how it keeps it's shape and hauled without falling apart? Four things can be wrapped around a large round bale to hold it till hauling, feeding or grinding time.Net wrap is one product used that is a petroleum product that is plastic and has the appearance of a minnow net. Most commonly used is twine made of plastic. Also a plastic which is photosensitive to the sun and will disintigrate after a few years exposure in the sun,and good old HEMP,which is treated so we dont have to worry about our twine getting smoked!That stuff is imported to the USA by the ship loads.The plastic twine cost us about $22. for a box, I dont know what sisal costs but there arent as many feet per ball.The cost for about 2000 bales of hay would be about$900, worth of twine for a medium size producer.There are pros and cons to the use of any of the twines.The growing and using of hemp in the USA would be a huge industry,not just for one one product of twine,but all the uses.Think of the ethanol being produced by putting a dent of about 3%in the gasoline being burned in this country.Growing of Hemp with marijuana would cause the pot to loose almost all of its strength through cross pollination.And crossing would not make the hemp become pot,so no worries.If someone raided my future field of hemp by the road,they may get busted for possession.My laughing would make me higher than anyone smoking a whole field of marijuana that reached full maturity while being grown with hemp.By the way, I do not smoke,or chew tobacco or illegal stuff. And neither do I drink alchohol before or after its turned to ethanol.My only fault with addiction is a small glass of home made wine about twice a month.Please don't ask me to reply cause this took me about 50 minutes to type.Thanks to the paper for allowing the comments,and to all of you that contribute to my entertainment and further education in the thoughts of other citizens of the United States of AMERICA. "

don't need it wrote on Nov 22, 2006 9:34 PM:

" I'm still waiting for some good arguments to justify the cultivation of hemp in the U.S. I agree with "to the uninformed" please read every blog before deciding which bloggers are more likely re-hashing (pun intended) thin arguments they might have read in old issues of "high times" and which are "common sense" counter opinions. to (S)moker: I would venture a guess that a large majority of hemp's supporters are onboard simply because of what you pointed out was marijuana's CLOSE association with marijuana. (S)moker's are hoping some day to achieve marijuana's legalization and are closely supporting and tracking hemp's progress through this process in hopes that one day they may be able to exploit that "CLOSE" relationship. And I have to take issue with your statement: The "illegal controlled substance" status of marijuana is due to gross misinformation and RACISM on the part of the federal government. RACISM??? I think you need to further explain the use of that word or risk being totally irrelevant to the conversation. "

What? wrote on Nov 22, 2006 7:30 PM:

" seeds have less than three-tenths of 1 percent of the hallucinogenic chemical thc???? thats a quote by the way. Hallucinogenic? Are these people insane? Hemp is a fantastic material for clothing and hundreds of other items. The land of the free huh? I think not. I will take this a bit father by saying LEGALIZE THE PLANT. Folks lets be serious here for oh about a minute. If thelagalized heroin tomorrow would you be in line to buy some? The answer is no because if you wanted to do heroin you could do it right now. This country needs to get over itself. Our free country gets less and less "free" everyday. In a free country I should be able to drive without a seatbelt. Who other than myself is at risk there? No one,just like who is at risk from growing hemp? If you legalize drugs you take the criminal element out of it. "

Moker wrote on Nov 22, 2006 3:55 PM:

" Yes, hemp and marijuana are different plants. I pointed out the relationship between them, and noted that hemp is banned simply because it's CLOSE to marijuana, and that the overall reasoning behind the "illegal controlled substance" status of marijuana is due to gross misinformation and racism on the part of our Federal government decades ago. "

Eb wrote on Nov 22, 2006 3:19 PM:

" LOL, Deb -- I thought you were going to say that you only smoke week on days that end in "y". :) "

Deb wrote on Nov 22, 2006 1:25 PM:

" I only smoke weed in Amsterdam. Oh wait, I've never been there. "

Eb wrote on Nov 22, 2006 1:21 PM:

" Deb -- wear it?...or smoke it? "

Deb wrote on Nov 22, 2006 12:50 PM:

" Actually, hemp clothing manufacturers have gotten great at making it "wearable." The Boutrous family from Bis has two sons that got into it: twostardog.com has their clothing line - really high end, great clothing. I've found that even the lower end hemp clothes are much better these days. I wear mine all the time. "

to the uninformed wrote on Nov 22, 2006 11:14 AM:

" has anyone read this blog from start to finish? idiots who think that hemp and MJ are on in the same - put down the pipe! Read the lengthy posts from "Truth Be Told". . . I want to ask "don't need it"; are you either a member of law enforcement or an oilman or possibly employed by the petrochemical industries. Also. . .synthetic fibers have the potential to be hazardous to the environment - something that the petrochem industries, cotton industries and any other industries opposed to hemp want you to believe. this is not a conspiracy. . . also. . . everyone. . . READ THE ENTIRE BLOG BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR OPINION OUT THERE - OTHERWISE YOU LOOK JUST PLAIN UNINFORMED. (dare i say stupid. . .) "

Eb wrote on Nov 22, 2006 9:28 AM:

" Why are the only people that are proponents of hemp the same ones that smoke pot? "

NoDak John wrote on Nov 22, 2006 8:13 AM:

" Unfortunately, I seriously doubt that DC will allow the growing of hemp. Hemp wears like cast iron and makes a fabric which lasts for years in tarps and canvases. It was outlawed in the first place at the behest of the cotton farmers. The petro chemical industry which now rules DC does not want competition from the hemp industry. There were thousands of facts supplied to the ND legislature concerning hemp, and it is a worthy read. For those who like the drug argument, you will find that modern hemp plants are on a par with rag weed as a drug. The hemp residues left after processing for fibers are also valuable. Check it out, it is an interesting story. "

Crazy Eddie wrote on Nov 21, 2006 11:56 PM:

" I don't want my pilot stoned or drunk. What he does on his time does not affect me in any way unless he comes to work in a less than fully functioning state. It is proven over and over that smoking a joint is no worse than sucking down a beer. It is funny that one blog is about stopping minors from drinking, and the one below it is for legalizing hemp growing. How ironic! "

don't need it wrote on Nov 21, 2006 10:40 PM:

" Miller...and anyone else with an unbiased opinion and no agenda... please don't so quickly and easily credit "truth be told" or any of the other disingenuous debaters with doing any meaningful research. "truth be told"'s argument that it's easy to tell MJ from Hemp (thanks for the website, I got one for you getaclue.com) doesn't take into account the difficulty picking out a relatively small patch of THM laden MJ in a 100 acre field of Hemp. Obviously didn't think out the problem. The article itself had me shaking my head. I laugh at the reguirement that a person must submit to a background check and submit fingerprints. It's obviously better than nothing, but please consider how many people are walking around smoking MJ, ingesting methamphetamine, snorting cocaine, etc. frequently, and have never been arrested. I would suspect the number is big. The argument that people in ancient times expoused the virtues of hemp and the quotes attributed to them was laughable and exactly the point I will try again to make. It's based on long ago technologies. It would be like me telling you that we should back people who want to sell cathode ray tubed TV's (black and white) with the 10" diameter screens based on an argument they were all the rage in the 1950's. I could probably dig up a few quotes from leading scientists and prominent people of that era if I did my "research". FACT IS: They wouldn't fare so well against todays 50" plasma's. The most laughable statement of all was the claim of hemps "25,000 uses". I supposed if I rolled up, partook of hemp's sister "mary jane", and became "enlightened", I might get to a few thousand uses after considering the possibilities of such things as hemp toilet covers, hemp toothpicks, hemp hubcaps, hemp football stadiums, hemp booster rockets, but most importantly hemp suppositories to rid us all of the stuff you're asking us to swallow. "

Deb wrote on Nov 21, 2006 1:28 PM:

" Like your oh-so-civil posting on the "we must fight the terrorists" blog, Miler? Me thinks miler doth protest too much. Seems as though when he has no answers, he just attacks other posters. Thanks for the logical posting "Truth Be Told" - keep it up! Hemp could be a financial boon for our state! "

miler wrote on Nov 21, 2006 12:07 PM:

" To Truth be told: Although we may appreciate the fact that you have done your homework and seem to have an educated viewpoint on this subject, it is important you keep something in mind. Just because someone doesn't agree with YOUR viewpoint does not give you the right to use such words as narrowminded uneducated preconceived perceptions. When you start to come off as a jerk instead of a logical person with a good debate, it really takes away the credibility of your posts. "

MM wrote on Nov 21, 2006 11:58 AM:

" to "dont need it" you have got to be kidding, right? "

Truth Be Told wrote on Nov 17, 2006 3:24 PM:

" To don't need it, Your "outdated" uneducated preconceived perceptions have obviously obstructed & clouded your view on this subject. The "same old rhetoric" you shared within your post is testament to such. Not to worry, your error can be self remedied. Simply do some research and the realization that will come with the wealth of fact based information available will free you from your narrow minded, short sighted view and broaden your vision. The truth is Hemp has vast unequaled progressive potential. To answer in part how to distinguish Hemp from Marijuana please also refer to the following web link: http://naihc.org/hemp_information/content/hempCharacter.html (peruse within for further enlightenment) I for one truly appreciate & am very proud of the broad progressive vision and great works of Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, and North Dakota's lawmakers on this intent. "

LISTEN to Truth Be Told! wrote on Nov 17, 2006 11:20 AM:

" This person is wise and knows what they are talking about! "

to clear head wrote on Nov 17, 2006 10:57 AM:

" The same is true about alcohol but that is legal. America is all about choices and I truly believe that between the two, marijuana is the lesser of two evils. I am NOT endorsing it and saying it is good, no drug is, but in that case, they should prohibit alcohol too. Of course, that is just my opinion but, hey, this is America and we are entitled to that right? "

to everyone wrote on Nov 17, 2006 10:53 AM:

" This argument is not about the legalization of marijuana, it is about growing hemp, do not lose site of that. A person cannot get "high" off of hemp but it can be used to manufacture over 25,000 products without the use of pesticides and with considerably less water than is needed for crops like cotton. I did a complete life cycle analysis of cotton v. hemp in graduate school and know what I am talking about. To the skeptics, do the research, get informed and realize that growing hemp in the U.S should, and I believe one day will, be the wave of the future. "

cls wrote on Nov 17, 2006 2:33 AM:

" Hey Herb, where do you live. I'm sure the task force or your local law enforcement would love to "see your house"!!!! "

Clarifying things... wrote on Nov 17, 2006 1:25 AM:

" Pharmaceutically, THC and similar cannabinoids are classified as hallucinogens. In practice, it would take an extremely large ingestion of very strong marijuana to produce hallucinogenic effects. And contrary to the claims of 'don't need it', it's pretty easy to discern hemp from other varieties of Cannabis grown for smoking. Also, while synthetic materials have supplanted hemp in some applications, those replacements came from the need to find an alternative to hemp due to it's outlaw status. Finally, your claims of potent THC-laden marijuana being highly addictive and destructive is simply not supported by facts, especially when compared to the legal alternatives of cigarettes and alcohol. Propoganda swings both ways on every issue and it seems you're in the grasp of it yourself. "

open-minded wrote on Nov 17, 2006 12:44 AM:

" TO: don't need it wrote on November 16, 2006 10:12 PM. You sound like, with your rhetoric, that you have been a civil servant of the D.E.A FOR 20 years, spinning the old government yarn that introducing the hemp plant as a farmer's cash crop will lead to the destruction of this country's youth or whatever. Have you ever seen the federal government propaganda movie made in the 1930's called: "Reefer Madness?" That is misinformation propaganda running parallel to your spiel on growing hemp for clothing, paper, cosmetics and the the list goes on and on. Let's give the farmers in N.D the ability to increase their profits legitimately with the production of a commodity that has a demand all over the world. Our farmers should have the ability to compete with the Canadian farmers in this matter. "

paul wrote on Nov 17, 2006 12:17 AM:

" God created it and I'm going to partake in it. "

don't need it wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:12 PM:

" Same old tired retoric for legalization of hemp. The real truth is that half of what was made to sound like legitimate argument has actually become outdated by current technologies that have rendered hemp a comodity that would be cost prohibitive if it even could competitively find a niche. Honest business people know this. Example is the argument that Hemp has value today because it was used extensively by the military during WWII. Truth is that hemp was principally used by the military to make rope. Today go ask a military person or any other climber what they would bet their life on if they were using the rope to climb/repel. Hemp or synthetic rope? I dare say the answer would be unanimous and apologies to cheech and chong but it wouldn't be Hemp. That's because technology has produced an alternative with much greater strength. Forget most of the half thought out and outdated arguments that place a market value on hemp. It's mostly not a competitive commodity that would survive in todays market place if it wasn't subsidized by people with an agenda to get all forms of marijuana legalized. The real problem with growing hemp legally in North Dakota or anywhere else in the U.S. and every dope smoker knows this and hopes you will buy their outdated logic, is that it would be impossible for law enforcement to determine visually what was being grown, hemp or high grade THC laden marijuana... without great effort and expense to do selective eradication and testing of samples. A cost that would probably be passed on to hardworking, honest taxpayers. Truth is we don't need industrial hemp and we certainly don't need THC laden, highly potent, highly addictive and highly destructive marijuana. "

Truth Be Told wrote on Nov 16, 2006 5:59 PM:

" The industrial hemp plant has a variety of uses, including textiles, paper, food, paint, bio-fuels, bio-composites, automobile parts, plastics, and fiberboard. In ancient times, people added handfuls of hemp fiber to their clay to strengthen the bricks used for building. In France today, houses are being built from hemp that are fire- and termite-resistant. Tree-free hemp paper can be made without dioxin and can be recycled 10 more times than tree-pulp paper. An acre of hemp produces more pulp than four acres of trees. In 1916, USDA Agriculture Bulletin 404 reported that our forests were being cut down three times faster than they grew. It called for alternatives to the use of timber and recommended using hemp pulp for paper instead of tree pulp. For textiles, an acre of land will produce two to three times as much hemp fiber as cotton, and hemp requires little to no pesticides or herbicides. Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition (even removing heavy metals) for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise be a problem. Hemp anchors and protects the soil from runoff, and during reforestation tree roots will follow the paths loosened by hemp roots, so trees grow more quickly. Hemp seed plays an important role in nutrition for humans, livestock, and birds. Hemp seed is a complete source of protein, second only to soybeans, and contains the highest concentration of essential amino and fatty acids found in any food. It contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids at the optimum 3:1 ratio and contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Hemp seed could replace the animal protein fed to livestock at far less cost to the health of people and our planet. It is also perfect for a vegetarian and vegan diet. By using a renewable resource, the hemp industry has the potential to help move our economy in a direction that is more sustainable and more socially and environmentally responsible. Since hemp grows well in most climates and offers amazing product versatility, it has the potential to stimulate commercial activity that benefits both humans and the ecology. "

Rebecca wrote on Nov 16, 2006 5:28 PM:

" If grown for industrial purposes it is impossible to smoke hemp and get a high. The plants are a)related but not the same and b) can only contain THC if they are malnourished and grown in dark places. Its not as though its impossible to get weed now, but if we legalize hemp the floodgates of marijuana use will burst open. ND used to produce hemp and it is a much better alternative to trees as a renewable resource. Just the environmentalist in me talking. Anyone who doesn't want it legalized is just misinformed or the victim of unfounded scare tactics in this country run by fear. "

Clear Head wrote on Nov 16, 2006 5:00 PM:

" To "Moker": Re-read what I wrote. Before accusing others of having a narrow mind you need to get a clear head. One too many tokes before you wrote a response I suspect. I did not make any accusations of any of those people or professions being "stoned" or "stoners". Those were strictly YOUR words and assumptions. I asked if you would want a user or one who had used. Your clear headed response should have then been somewhere along the line of discussing whether or not one who did a doobie is as clear headed as one who drank a can of beer. And I still ask the question. Would we want people who use mariquana in these professions? And would you want your co-worker, as you put it, to "be lazy maybe. Not crazy"? "

Okay wrote on Nov 16, 2006 4:06 PM:

" Legalize Marijuana. "

Truth Be Told wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:28 PM:

" Hemp poses no danger to public health or safety. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species Cannabis sativa L. that contains less than 1% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive chemical that gets people "high." According to David West, Ph.D., "... THC levels in industrial hemp are so low that no one could ever get high from smoking it. Moreover, hemp contains a relatively high percentage of another cannabinoid, CBD, that actually blocks the marijuana high. Hemp, it turns out, is not only not marijuana; it could be called anti-marijuana." Article 28-2 of the UN Single Treaty Convention on Narcotic Drugs states, "This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fiber and seed) or horticultural purposes." The United States is a signer of this convention. "

Truth Be Told wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:23 PM:

" During America's Colonial days, hemp was a cornerstone of civil development, and its production was considered necessary. Hemp has always been important to the U.S. economy and was exchanged as money throughout most of the Americas from 1631 to the early 1800s. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were drafted on hempen paper. Colonial women sewed soldiers' uniforms and flags from the tough hemp fibers, and bagging, cordage, twines, ropes, and sails were all made with hemp. Oil for lamps and for paints was pressed from the seed. As the American Revolution approached, patriot Thomas Paine insisted that the colonies were strong enough to break free from old King George's oppression and rise to their own greatness, in part "because hemp flourishes here." After Pearl Harbor, when hemp imports to the United States were cut off, the U.S. government asked farmers to grow hemp once again, although growing it without a permit had been prohibited since 1937. USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation contracted with War Hemp Industries, Inc. to produce planting seed and fiber, and 42 hemp mills were built across the American Midwest. The USDA film, "Hemp for Victory" was shown in theaters and Grange halls across the land. USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 1935, entitled "Hemp," was issued to farmers in January, 1943. Hemp was used to sew millions of pairs of boots for American soldiers, hemp twine was used for tying and upholstery, and thousands of feet of hemp rope were supplied to each battleship. In fact, the parachute that saved George H. W. Bush's life during World War II was rigged with hemp. Even 4-H clubs in Kentucky planted their own hemp patches "to serve their country in wartime." By war's end, nearly a million acres of hemp had been cultivated to support the war effort. Hemp is part of a sustainable economy that will help wean us from dependence on foreign energy sources. This new economy will help ND farmers to be an integral part of the restoration of rural America. "

to the uninformed closed minds wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:22 PM:

" typical republican stances Eb and Clear. I suppose you support RJ Reynolds though, right? The petroleum, paper and tobacco industries are to blame for the prohibition of this "evil weed". They see the direct threat that hemp poses and continue to lobby for their own interests on the hill. (that's Capitol Hill - where a number of reforms get turned down due to said lobbyist and industries.) Labeling these informed citizens is just showing your ignorance. Free your mind and your you know what will follow. (not brought to you by the partnership for a drug-free America). "

jc wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:06 PM:

" are the two plants similar in appearance? hemp and marijuana? just thinking if this "legal" hemp crop is allowed by all the government departments and food and drug, which i'm having a problem understanding the why of if it's legal to begin with that it needs all this approval, than i'm wondering how will the illegal one be detected in a field if the plants are similar in appearance? "

Wait wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:06 PM:

" Thanks Moker "

just so you know wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:55 PM:

" I checked my Hempz lotion bottle today and it states that it is THC drug free. Darn. "

Moker wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:55 PM:

" Hey, "clear" head: Nice generalizations. Let's take that exact same group of people and ask the same questions regarding alcohol use. Would you want to be a passenger in a plane with a drunk pilot behind the yoke? Of course not! But would you think any less of that pilot if he went out on his own time and tipped a few beers? Would you want a school bus driver removed from his or her job because he or she was seen Friday night at the tavern doing shots of Jaegermeister and drinking mugs of beer? Use your head. Of course we don't want stoned doctors and nurses, emergency workers, or any other profession on the job. We don't want them drunk on the job either. But in your narrow mind these people are "stoners" if they smoke a joint. Are they all "drunks" if they drink alcohol on their own time too? "

What???? wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:28 PM:

" this is clearly debatable and understandable why it is so difficult to just legalize it. Where do you draw the line? Do I want my kids to be able to legally smoke pot when they turn 21? If it is illegal, maybe it helps deter people from using it. Look at how alcohol is abused. Once you legalize something like this, you open another whole can of worms. How do you control it. O.k. so, it's o.k. for me to go have a beer. would it then be o.k. for me to go out and smoke a joint. Better yet, can I just take my pot into the bar and sit and have bongathongs with all my buddies? I don't understand the push to legalize this. Will it take the gangs and the drugs off the street or would the problems esculate? People that are "high" have altered judgement. some may hallucinate, some may not. Which kind do you legalize? plain marijuana? enhanced marijuana? What do you legalize next, meth? cocaine? How much is o.k. before you can legally drive? We already can't handle the drunks that drive all the time. Do you legalize just for industrial purposes? Are tax payers willing to spend more money to "police" this? All you people with all the answers, please, put down your pipe and speak. "

Moker wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:01 PM:

" To "wait"--Hemp and marijuana are quite similar. Hemp has far less (barely any, but enough, I guess) THC content, and more fiber content in the stalks. But the limited amount of THC that's in hemp is enough for Uncle Sam to put it under the same asinine umbrella as marijuana. "

Clear head wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:00 PM:

" To those that think there is nothing wrong with marijuana: Would you want to be a passenger in a plain piloted by a pilot who just smoked marijuana? Would you want the bus driver to be a user? Or how about a fireman, police officer, emergency room doctor, or any doctor or nurse for that matter? The list goes on. Or, how about your co-worker who as "Moker" claims, would be "Lazy, maybe. But not crazy"? "

Eb wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:55 PM:

" I'm surprised so many stoners are up in the morning to read the TribOnline. "

Wait wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:10 PM:

" So Hemp is not a hallucinogen but yet still illegal to harvest b/c it is related to 'Mary Jane'. May I ask Why? "

Truth Be Told wrote on Nov 16, 2006 12:50 PM:

" "Make the most of the Indian Hemp Seed" -President George Washington(Library of USA Congress 1794 vol. 33 p.270). President Jefferson called hemp a necessity and urged farmers to grow hemp instead of tobacco.(1791) "Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control mans' appetite through legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not even crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our Government was founded" -Abraham Lincoln (December 1840) "

Moker wrote on Nov 16, 2006 12:03 PM:

" Hey Doober, I'm simply stating facts. Not opinions, but facts. Look it up for yourself. And, I'm not a "pot-head" at all. I just use common sense and don't necessarily swallow what's spoon-fed to me. But I'd rather be called a pot-head than a drunk any day. "

o_O wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:50 AM:

" Legalize, legalize, legalize! "

Richard Schense wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:42 AM:

" I own a business that uses Hemp fabrics as an upholstery material. Our products are sold the world over, with every item stamped "North Dakota, USA". It is simply a fact that the development of industrial hemp, in North Dakota, would directly support the underlying philosophy of our business: Family owned, hand-made, supportive of renewable energies and resources, and in direct support of the cultural foundations of American society. We endeavor to fulfill the last item by building the world's best guitar amplifiers, for the hands and souls of artists creating American Blues, Rock and Country music. e-mail: lastfrontiermusic@yahoo.com "

Doober wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:09 AM:

" To "Moker". Sounds like a pot-head rant. Let's "moke" some more! "

Observer wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:43 AM:

" You posters seem sure of what your talking about and I am not a pot-head, so I did my own investigation on THC http://www.afm.mb.ca/Learn%20More/documents/Cannabis-Eng-new.pdf This is just one site and In my non- expert opinion, I would say it is a hallucinagen because marijuana is produced from Cannabis. Just my thoughts. "

Darwin wrote on Nov 16, 2006 9:49 AM:

" To the editor: You need to fix your statement about THC being a hallucinogenic. Please do your research because THC is not a hallucinogenic "

SECOND THAT wrote on Nov 16, 2006 9:21 AM:

" So "un" educated....... "

Moker wrote on Nov 16, 2006 9:04 AM:

" Too funny. Hemp is illegal to cultivate because it's SIMILAR to marijuana. And marijuana is illegal because of a racist US government using it as a tool to deport Mexican immigrants through a propaganda campaign of lies, deceit and outright racism. And "Herb" is right. THC is not a a hallucinogen. How sad it is that our government has perpetuated lie after lie after lie to keep marijuana illegal. If enough people would do their research and find the FACTS about marijuana, and the FACTS about what our lovely government has done, pressure would mount to have it legalized. But too many people have blinders on and see it as the so-called "gateway drug" or as some evil substance that makes people crazy. Lazy, maybe. But not crazy. "

Herb wrote on Nov 16, 2006 8:43 AM:

" First of all - THC is not hallucinogenic! Second, this country needs toget its head out of its you know what and legalize it. "

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