Jan 05, 2007 - 04:03:57 CST
Businesses looking to process industrial hemp for uses ranging from canvas to hand lotion have found an ally in state Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, who's sponsoring a bill allowing his agency to permit and regulate such businesses."This is something that could grow very quickly," Johnson told lawmakers Thursday during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing.
The bill to allow industrial hemp processors in North Dakota is part of an ongoing effort to bring down the regulatory barriers for farmers who want to grow this lucrative cash crop.
"It's a crop that a lot of organic farmers would like to grow because it grows quickly and crowds out weeds," Johnson said.
Currently, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency places tight restrictions on the growth of industrial hemp because of its close genetic relation to marijuana.
Industrial hemp seeds are nearly identical to marijuana plant seeds, distinguishable only by their differing levels of THC, the chemical that gives marijuana its relaxing, mind-altering power.
North Dakota residents who want to farm or process industrial hemp would have to go through an extensive permit process with the DEA. It involves a fee, background check, fingerprinting and inspection of the proposed growing site.
"There is no problem in North Dakota," said Rep. David Monson, R-Osnabrock, who testified at the hearing. "It's an issue of the DEA dragging their feet on the issue of whether there's a difference between marijuana and industrial hemp."
Johnson believes that the DEA might be willing to waive these restrictions if North Dakota proves it can adequately regulate the growing and processing facilities.
Adding processing to an existing state statute allowing for the growth of industrial hemp could help in this effort, he said.
In this case, industrial hemp could be grown and processed into its benign fiber form all within the borders of North Dakota.
The Senate Agriculture committee will issue an opinion on the measure and the full Legislature will vote on it later in the session.
Still, Johnson admits, the final say lies with the DEA.
(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)
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