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No reason for raising hemp

 
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Jan 14, 2008 - 04:05:24 CST
By JEANETTE McDOUGAL
N.D. farmers

are being used

Osceola, Ark.

North Dakota's congressional contingent wisely declined to lobby for hemp, no doubt realizing that North Dakota farmers are being used as a front to legalize the ultimate "cover crop," hemp.

To paraphrase Canadian hemp researcher David Marcus: "In order to overcome government reluctance to legalize industrial hemp, it is necessary to present the image of conservative, 'solid citizen' support." What group is perceived as more "solid" than America's farmers, especially North Dakota farmers?

Cover is needed because, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the legalize marijuana (hemp) movement "has largely been spurred by ... Jack Herer (marijuana advocate), whose 1985 book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes," has been instrumental in reviving interest in hemp and has helped create the grass-roots movement for marijuana reform," that is, legalization.

The 1985 launched legalization movement predated farmer involvement, according to key hemp legalization strategist, Chris Conrad. By 1994, as part of the pro-drug strategy to legalize hemp, farmers had been drawn into the hemp movement. Conrad is quoted in High Times as saying that he and his (marijuana legalization activist) network "linked voters, ecologists, farmers, businesses, doctors and average citizens into an alliance that knows hemp is here for good ... pot smokers need to come out of the closet to win their equal rights."

This inclusion of "average citizens, groups and organizations" lines up with Marcus' statement that "... Strong support from business and farm groups is indispensable; support from pro-marijuana interests and what are perceived of as fringe groups is generally counterproductive."

The statements of French hemp expert and research scientist Hayo M. G. van der Werf are being ignored in the push to "sell" hemp as a crop to farmers. Van der Werf said: "(M)any claims (about hemp) are made ... many of these claims are inaccurate; some of the overestimation of hemp's benefits may be due to the emotional commitment many individuals have in making this a viable crop."

Neither the case that hemp production provides solid economic benefits, nor that hemp cultivation will not detrimentally affect the enforcement of marijuana legislation has been made.

Would-be hemp farmers are being used.

(McDougal is chair of the hemp committee of Drug Watch International and notes her past positions in the Minnesota Farm Bureau. - Editor)

No reason for

raising hemp

By JOHN COLEMAN

Clifton, Va.

In rejecting the demand for hemp legislation, the North Dakota congressional delegation has recognized the obvious charade by the pro-marijuana legalizers, and this, more than anything else, is a great sign that our nation's legislators finally are becoming aware that they have been swindled in the past by drug proponents masquerading as compassionate advocates for the needs of the sick and dying or, as in this instance, ailing North Dakota farmers.

The fact is that farmers are not ailing but getting wealthy from the weak dollar that makes their exports that much cheaper for foreign markets. Hemp is available and abundant throughout the world and can be purchased elsewhere for a fraction of what it would cost to produce in the United States.

In Europe, hemp farmers receive annual cash subsidies from the European Union, suggesting that European hemp production is unable to compete with cheaper synthetic fibers and imported hemp. Why create a similar welfare state for farmers in the U.S. when cash crops like corn, wheat and soybeans are in high demand around the world and sales of these commodities can benefit our economy and our farmers?

Lastly, the observation that producing hemp will undermine the enforcement of our marijuana laws, which is, of course, why the pro-drug groups support hemp in the first place, is as good a reason as any to keep this genie in the bottle. For those who would dispute this, ask yourself this question: If hemp resembled corn, soybeans or wheat, would we be having this discussion?

(Coleman signs himself as president of Drug Watch International. - Editor)
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No reason for raising hemp
Comments

monte wrote on Jan 19, 2009 10:16 AM:

" I wonder if these people are as opposed to alcohol and tobacco? My guess is they are not. To bad...just shown real lack of judgment. "

monte wrote on Jan 19, 2009 10:12 AM:

" All of the comments are right to an extent. William Hearst did have a lot to do with hemp being made illegal. But let's not forget John D. Rockefeller, who owned 85% of all oil in the late 1890's.
And not only can you make paper, construction products, food products, and cloths from industrial hemp, but it is also the best product to make ethanol from.
Industrial hemp makes 4 times the ethanol that corn does. We are currently pouring lots of corn into ethanol production instead of food. The oil companies are also opposed to industrial hemp because it would rivial their gas supremecy. "

john wrote on Jan 3, 2009 7:21 PM:

" wow they dont subsidise corn and soybeans.I thought they did. How is hemp subsidies in Europe worse if that is the case than subsidising corn and soybeans since you seem to want to mislead here in the interest of making hemp look bad. "

Nina wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:58 AM:

" Well I found out that Mitt Romney has been getting contributions from DOW Chemicals and Dow chemicals along with Solvay make the synthetic /cannabis? or thc component drug Marinol. You can read about political contibutions at newsmeat.com

I mention this because he has a video where a man in a wheelchair is asking if Mitt will lock him up for using medicinal marijuana? Mitt suggests that he use a synthetic form of the drug. I thought it was strange that someone would promote a synthetic drug over a natural safe plant that has hurt no one. SO I did the research and found out that Mitt gets money from the drug companies.

So my guess is these people are getting paid in some way or another by either the tobacco or alcohol or legal drug companies. It all goes back to money because they can not be that stupid.

Do the research learn the truth and it generally leads back to money. "

Matt wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:54 AM:

" Hemp is a profitable crop in Canada "WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES"!!!!! HOOORRRRAY! Eric Pollit, is that true? If so, Double HOOOORAAAY! In addition to the other reasons, you are probably more closer to the mark as to why growing it is not allowed. Too profitable for farmers. I was wondering if Canada was subsidizing it or not. When a way to wedge it into the farm program is found, then maybe our congressional delegation will support it. Unfortunately that is how these things work. That way THEY will be able to claim credit for it. "

To FREEDOM: wrote on Jan 19, 2008 6:27 PM:

" Good points, but again, this is about hemp, not marijuana. As the Sioux say, stay focused. "

FREEDOM wrote on Jan 19, 2008 12:41 PM:

" The pharmaceutical companies want to keep us hooked on chemical drugs. They do not want us peasants to grow a herb that might help our medical condition, whatever that may be. Uncle Saps legal drugs alcohol and tobacco products kill nearly 500,000 Americans annually and they could care less as long as they get the tax money to pour down Washington, DC Rat Holes. "

To Bono wrote on Jan 19, 2008 8:34 AM:

" NO. Once again, marijuana growers would NOT want hemp fields near theirs, due to the high risk of cross pollination. If you hide your weed crop in your hemp crop, you aren't going to get very good weed, so you would never do it. Is there ANYONE who STILL doesn't get this?? There's public debate and then there's an inability to read and process facts, even if they are stated over and over. "

Bono wrote on Jan 18, 2008 9:33 PM:

" Isn't the point not that people would smoke hemp - but that it could be used to HIDE marijuana growing operations? Since it does look alike? I'm just wondering. "

Brad wrote on Jan 18, 2008 2:19 PM:

" Will, Ms. McDougal is not unaware, in fact she is fully aware and is nothing more than an anti-hemp lobbyist. If you check where her cash comes from you will find green...from the forestry industry. "

smoke it wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Hemp is not pot. You would have to smoke a joint the size of a telephone pole to get high, so that is a little unrealistic. Now reasons for growing hemp: Have you ever used a piece of paper? Did it come from a tree? Probably. Hemp can be used to make paper (renewable resource). Have you ever used a rope, could have been made out of hemp. Hemp is an industrial product. If we could grow hemp in ND and possibly manufacture some of the products that it is used for it would be a very viable option for farmers. It would also help out the job situation.
"

LeRoy E. Graf wrote on Jan 17, 2008 12:33 PM:

" The only reason hemp is not legal is the forest industry doesn't want it to be. My guess is they are lobbying our Congressmen heavily to keep it illegal to prevent it from being used for the same things wood is used.

If hemp were legal, wood products and future carbon credits would be cheaper. "

maNDan Jim. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:14 AM:

" George Washington grew hemp at the whitehouse. "

maNDan Jim. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:12 AM:

" This is insane! Do these people not understand there is no intoxicating value to hemp? So much money could be made by our farmers by growing hemp. Its so sad that people continue on with ancient ideaology and ignorance on the topic. "

Voice of Reason wrote on Jan 16, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Aren’t we fortunate to have attracted so much national interest from “experts” like these two who apparently don’t understand the difference between hemp and marijuana and use 23 year old books and High Times magazine to bolster their arguments. What I couldn’t help but notice is that both of these comments were submitted by out-of-state residents. Why should people in Virginia and Arkansas have any interest in an obscure political issue in North Dakota like the proposed hemp production initiative? It’s also curious that they both belong to the same organization, Drug Watch International, an organization obsessed with preventing any research into potential medical benefits of marijuana or THC. Just wondering.
"

To MsRepublicanDimWit wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:25 PM:

" Again, hemp and marijuana are NOT the same. We are talking about hemp. People don't smoke that. "

Dumb Montanan wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:03 PM:

" To MsRepublicanWIt:

Sorry to burst your bubble, but please tell me you know we are talking about hemp and not weed? You can't get high on hemp. And please tell me you aren't a true Republican. It's people like you who make us conservatives look bad.

To Sam Sharp:

Weed is illegal and I think it should be. I don't care what people do at home, but it's already hard enough now to keep weed out of the workplace. If people were more responsible and not overindulgent we wouldn't be here in the first place. "

MsRepublicanWIt wrote on Jan 16, 2008 10:49 AM:

" Idk..except maybe that kids my age dying of cancer get to use it to live their last few days in a little less pain. Maybe there is a reason for growing it??? "

Sam Sharp wrote on Jan 16, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Let's say the farmers like to smoke hemp and that they were allowed to grow hemp for sale into industry. Fine, they could smoke some of there own crop (far cheaper than Camels). They can't possibly get high from smoking the hemp because there is virtually no THC in hemp. I'm having a little trouble figuring out why this should be illegal. Also, the idiots who want hemp banned maybe don't know that if there was a lot of hemp grown, any cannabis sativa or cannabis indica (the good stuff) in the area would be ruined by cross-pollination coming from the much larger crop of hemp.

However, since the ignorant masses have no common sense they will simply let our fundamentalist "holier than thou" a------- in the government enforce their morals (oh my God, someone might get high, the horrors of it all) on everyone in sight.

What a bunch of crap. I will continue to smoke whatever I want and the government can kiss my bottom (oh, soo sorry to offend).

Sam Sharp
"

HBIC wrote on Jan 16, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Hemp production and wind energy will save our world. Unless uneducated, close-minded, and mis-informed people destroy it before it has a chance to prove itself. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Jan 16, 2008 7:01 AM:

" Distortions and lies Jeanette, distortions and lies. Lets do all we can to keep North Dakota as backwards as we can. Hemp is a cash crop, It was made illegal in the 30's by none other than Mr. Randolf Hearst. He wanted to eliminate any competition to his paper mills. Maybe hemp will become our leading export instead of it's young people. Do you still churn your butter? "

To MJhempMJ wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:49 PM:

" Actually Hemp is a very viable crop that is used internationally as well as here in the US. And it is getting bigger because of it's uses and cost-effectiveness. And, growing Hemp doesn't lead to smoking marijuana. The two are totally different in their THC content and uses. It seems that only the "reactionaries" such as those writing these uneducated articles see this as a threat to the USA from within. This is the type of meaningless reactionary prattle that will be the downfall of this nation - not Hemp growth "

ND Farmer wrote on Jan 14, 2008 6:07 PM:

" Well.....ya know....Hemp was farmed right here in ND during WWII. We didn't have any problems then, and we won't have any problems now. I looked up what Mr. Boucher had to say, and he's right. I also found that Mercedes Benz, BMW, and even Chrysler is using hemp in their carparts. Heck, there's even a manufacturer in Fargo ND that's makin door panels out of it for the chrysler sebring. I tried to find info to collaborate what MJhempMJ had to say.... not only did I not find any, I found that what MJhempMJ had to say was FALSE! Why are you trying to make this a drug issue? We didn't grow it to smoke in 1940, we grew it for the war effort, we grew it to help our country, and we grew the seed that our government gave us! You couldn't smoke hemp back then, anymore than you can smoke it now. It's an Agricultural crop for gosh sakes! WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT DRUGS HERE!!!!! "

Dumb Montanan wrote on Jan 14, 2008 4:20 PM:

" To MJhempMJ:

You said "" The first thing people who smoke marijuana and people who don't will tell you is that marijuana has a way of making liars out of many of the people that smoke it."

So are you saying marijuana makes you a liar? I know plenty of liars that don't smoke weed. You can't smoke hemp and get high. I don't advocate smoking weed, but at least let's have a legitimate debate. "

Who cares about hemp? wrote on Jan 14, 2008 4:05 PM:

" MJhempMJ is exactly right. To Heck with hemp, let's just get some really sticky, red-haired 'kind' bud legalized so that everyone can mellow out. People don't rob liquor stores or beat their wives and kids when they're baked. "

MJhempMJ wrote on Jan 14, 2008 3:33 PM:

" The first thing people who smoke marijuana and people who don't will tell you is that marijuana has a way of making liars out of many of the people that smoke it. It's obvious that these stories have attracted many of marijuana's advocates and they will do and say pretty much anything to get this latest leg up in their fight to legalize marijuana. What's obvious is that society has a fight on it's hands to keep marijuana from becoming mainstream. It's OK to be a loud voice in opposition to these marijuana advocates. It's OK to study this issue and learn the true status of hemp. What you'll find is that it's being utilized as a "wedge issue" by marijuana advocates to legalize marijuana. The only thing responsible people need to know is that nothing in these follow up blogs to these insightful stories on hemp (marijuana) have any truth to them. Nothing. There is no competitive value to hemp. No market in Canada, No potential here or anywhere else, No promise, Nothing. If hemp is legalized here in the U.S. the only profitable crop that will result from that mistake will be marijuana. So why give dopers any edge against law enforcement, responsible parents and community leaders. Dopers can be bought. Their "enlightened" statements cannot be taken at face value, their "research" is shallow, untruthful and at best uninformed. Hemp is better left as Canada's embarrassment. "

Chris Boucher wrote on Jan 14, 2008 3:17 PM:

" McDougal should update her rethoric and research. Currently Ford Motor Company, Wall Mart, Target stores, Timberland Shoes, Qucksilver Clothing, Adidas Shoes, Walt Disney and many more companys have and are using and selling hemp materials. Ms McDougal should remember her Kentucky Govoner Hemp Task Report from 1994. She was working against the will of the Kentucky People and farmers, according to University of Kentucky Research center found over 77% of Kentuckians strongly favored legalizing industrial hemp as a cash crop. Over the years this has been her tactic and misinformation campaign. being funded by ?
The People of North Dakota are being denied their rights. Under the USDA, Hemp is a vegtable. Hemp Food is the fastest growing food catagory in USA Natural Health food industry. She is clearly against the American Farmer with her consperacy theory. "

VOICE OF AMERICA wrote on Jan 14, 2008 2:59 PM:

" It looks like all of the comments voice the will of the people. HEMP!...a renewable resource! If you do any basic research into this plant, you can only come to one conclusion as reflected not only in comments here but anywhere else on this planet. How dare one try to persuade people with false information? The real swindle are the lies and deception being said by a few to our congressmen and government officials. It is time for the evolution of knowledge and truth to prevail on this matter. "

Dumb Montanan wrote on Jan 14, 2008 1:08 PM:

" First, Canada is different than us when it comes to marijuana laws. The Canadians are more lax on it's use. Or at least they were till the U.S. government got involved. You also have to realize that they let 18 year olds drink, and don't seem to have the problems we have. We as Americans love to over indulge.

Second, I do believe there are good products that come from hemp. My mom even sells lotion made from hemp (and it does show a hemp leaf on the front). Not to mention The Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted on hemp paper. However, I don't think it's viable for us yet since the demand isn't that high and it is cheaper to import. I say let the market decide. If it becomes economical to grow hemp the farmers will be the ones to want it legalized, and they do have a lot of influence in Washington. "

Nord Dukotuh Congrissmun wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:37 PM:

" I don't want to hear no more about this hemp business. Hemp is a drug. Economic necessity and scientific fact have no place in this debate. The big corporations want me to stand against hemp so I'm gonna. Didn't I already tell you that hemp is a drug? These farmers want to make some money from this hemp? I'm in congriss to make sure the farmers I represent do no such thing! What would happen to this country if you could turn corn into alcohol? That's all people would do! Raise corn to turn into booze! Good thing that's not possible. I hope you will vote me back in for my stance against the drug hemp. "

Eric Pollitt wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:36 AM:

" Guess what? Hemp is one of the most profitable crops grown in Canada -- all without the support of subsidies. Farmers such as those in Illinois grown corn and soybeans at the expense of taxpayer subsidies and to the benefit of Big Agra.

If you had any knowledge, you'd understand that fact that true marijuana activists actually are against hemp as the pollen shed from hemp drifts great distances and pollinates marijuana crops. This pollination creates seeds and severely decreases the potenceny of the marijuana crop. That said, no one in their right mind would grow marijuana anywhere near hemp. Rather, marijuana growers would continue to grow in forests and corn crops.

Support industrial hemp and visit GlobalHemp.com "

Rob Robinson wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:07 AM:

" I was curious about these two, so I did a google search and read some of their work. First, McDougal is listed nowhere as "chair" of anything. Her research quotes are outdated (1999 and 2000 respectively) And Colemans claims that "producing hemp will undermine the enforcement of our marijuana laws" are ridiculous. RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) have had zero problems with the Hemp Industry in Canada. Are we so foolish as to believe that the RCMP aren't as smart as our police officers? "

The Value of Hemp! wrote on Jan 14, 2008 11:07 AM:

" The very first step to bring the D.E.A. under compliance with the Hemp situation is to contact your U.S. Congressmen. They decide what the D.E.A. can and cannot do. The buck stops with the U.S. Congress. They need to establish new guidelines that the D.E.A. is forced to act upon. Without the backing of our illustrious(?) Congress, there is nothing anyone, anywhere, can do to change these old archaic laws. That whole situation may take years to change the Congress minds. They are financially so much "in Bed" with Dupont, Dow Chemical and other chemical/synthetic/oil goods companies that it probably will never happen.
"

Dennis wrote on Jan 14, 2008 10:48 AM:

" This article is written as if the enforcement of marijuana laws stops anyone from indulging in marijuana consumption in the first place. Psychotic paranoia of hemp shows the true yellow cowardice and hateful prejudice against marijuana consumers. Hey chicken littles of the world, the sky is not falling. LOL "

Chavez wrote on Jan 14, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Good comments. But now, the question has to be asked: where are Dorgan, Conrad, and Pomeroy on this issue? For politicians who give so much of themselves to the farmers of this and other states, their silence is positively deafening. Of what are they afraid? C'mon fellas, stand up and be counted! "

Will wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:33 AM:

" Jeanette McDougal is clearly not aware of the fact that industrial hemp is quite different than it's notorious marijuana cousin, and does not contain significant amounts of the active THC chemical. Her statement that "M)any claims (about hemp) are made ... many of these claims are inaccurate" I believe is itself inaccurate. Hemp is truly a versatile crop, and has value both as an industrial crop for fiber, paper pulp, and thousands more, and as a food product.

In response to John Coleman's comment " If hemp resembled corn, soybeans or wheat, would we be having this discussion?", it does in fact resemble these crops in that it is a superior source of high quality protein, and contains essential fatty acids (omega 3's) not found elsewhere. In addition, unlike corn and soybeans, it does not require large amounts of fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides.

So the contention that somehow North Dakota's farmers are being used by people advocating marijuana legalization cannot be supported by the facts of the usefulness of industrial hemp to farmers, the environment, and to consumers.



"

More Sensationalism with No Basis wrote on Jan 14, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Another Sensationalist Group trying to Scare everyone into thinking their way. Anyone who has reviewed the production of Industriail Hemp realizes that it is the antithesis of growing marijuana. It's just not logical. In addition, I find the phrase "farmers are growing weathly" ludicrous. I challenge either of these geniuses to live one year as a farmer so they can learn just how unwealthy we really are. The farmer doesn't make the big bucks guys!!! And, government subsidies? What do you think the Farm bill is all about. Without the subsidies we wouldn't grow anything in this country. A Farmer just plain can't make an even dollar. 99% of the farmers I know (and I know a lot) work 2 to 3 additional jobs so they can get cash to pay the bills. They may have land, crops, and/or livestock - but no cash. And at the end of the year? After expenses? They net 0. Most farm because they love farming. It's not for the millions of dollars they don't make. These folks need to learn the truth first and then make comments second. Our Congressional delegation should support hemp - it's what the ND people want and they are our employees - they're just too afraid to step out and be noticed!!! "

evb wrote on Jan 14, 2008 7:38 AM:

" Hemp and "grass" are two different things. Suggest researching in more detail. "

Oh Please wrote on Jan 14, 2008 7:10 AM:

" One really does not know where to begin when a person reads the misinformation being spouted by the agents of misinformation, McDougal and Coleman. These were the same arguments made in the 1930's when marijuana (the drug) and hemp (the industrial crop) were made illegal via taxation: grow hemp and pot will be hidden amongst the hemp. As Mr. Barth has rightly pointed out, if a person is stupid enough to plant pot amongst hemp, the cross pollination between the male (hemp) plant and the female (marijuana) plant utterly ruins the drug potency of the latter. Beside this, there are many corporations who do not want hemp to be legalized because it provides a legitimate, clean, and renewable crop to compete with other textiles, oils, cloth, and fibers. Every other major industrial nation--including Canada--allows it to be grown and have not reported any problems whatsoever. It is just more of the same insanity, this time backed by fanatics at the DEA but now joined by the corporations and sadly, alleged representatives of the farm community. Truly shameful and dishonest. "

russell barth wrote on Jan 14, 2008 5:13 AM:

" a hemp field is the last place you'd want to grow pot. the hemp would pollinate the pot, causing it to go to seed. the pot would be useless as a drug, and the seeds they'd produce would produce hybrid plants that would be too short and bushy to be hemp and too raggedy to be pot.
Of course, criminalizing pot just subsidizes organized crime, which is the real reaosn governments won't legalize it "

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