Vermont House OKs Hemp for State's Farmers

[Prophet Saddam]

What about hemp?

And sure enough, the Feds will be raiding family farms in no time.

VT House OKs Hemp for State's Farmers
Trouble Is Feds Still Ban 'Marijuana Cousin'
POSTED: 4:48 pm EST February 8, 2008
UPDATED: 6:36 pm EST February 8, 2008

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The Vermont House of Representatives gave overwhelming final approval Friday to a bill which sets up procedures for farmers to begin growing hemp. Its provisions, however, hinge on a policy reversal from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which has banned domestic hemp production since World War Two.

Hemp is a biological cousin to marijuana, though it contains only trace amounts of the chemical THC responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effect. Hemp was widely harvested into the 1940s, and the U.S. government encouraged its cultivation.

The plant is used to make textiles, fuel and food. Hemp seed oil is found in a range of cosmetics manufactured outside the U.S.

"It's very popular," said Colleen Kinney, assistant manager at The Body Shop in downtown Burlington, referring to a hand creme she has trouble keeping in stock. "It's one of the most popular items we have in the store."

For now, Americans can buy imported hemp-derived products, but cannot legally grow the plant.

Rep. David Zuckerman, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, foresees the possibility of a policy change in Washington.

"If the DEA changes its mind, or with a new administration in January, if they make that change, farmers would potentially be ready to grow hemp last year," Zuckerman said, adding he wanted procedures already in place so Vermont could act quickly.

North Dakota has also passed hemp legislation and is asking the Bush administration to change its position on cultivation. Farmers there have called it a matter of agricultural economics.

Zuckerman's committee heard testimony from Canadian experts who noted the value of the crop to industrial farming in that country. The committee also heard from Canadian law enforcement. Committee members approved the bill on an 11-0 vote last week.

With final House passage, the bill now moves to the Vermont Senate.

Republican Gov. Jim Douglas downplayed interest in the hemp legislation, noting the possibility its effects may be nothing but academic. He has not taken a formal position, adding in his Thursday news conference, "I know you're all focused on this. I'm really not."