HEMP-LEGALIZATION BILL DIES IN HOUSE

SANTA FE -- A proposal to legalize the production of industrial hemp, a
relative of the marijuana plant, failed in the House on Sunday amid
criticism that it would be the first step in drug legalization.

The measure would have allowed New Mexico farmers to grow hemp that was
certified by the state Department of Agriculture, said Rep. Pauline
Gubbels, R-Albuquerque.

Gubbels said industrial hemp under the regulated program would contain
scant traces of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol — called THC — the most
active ingredient in marijuana.

Marijuana normally contains 3 percent to 15 percent or more of THC, the
psychoactive ingredient, while hemp has 1 percent or less.

Gubbels said hemp is a "great crop" that can be grown with little water and
would provide struggling New Mexico farmers with an alternative to more
traditional crops. The plant could be used in a number of products,
including fuel, paper, plastics, textiles and food, she said.

"Industrial hemp is a product that was very important to our country many
years ago," she said. "If we were allowed to grow industrial hemp, we would
cut back on the number of trees we cut down to grow for paper."

Opponents of the measure, which failed 37-26, said growing hemp is
prohibited by the federal government. They also said the crop wasn't
economically viable and could be tinkered with to produce enough THC to
produce a high if the plant was smoked.

"There is ample evidence that hemp has no marketable value in this country,
and the push to legalize hemp is nothing more than the first step in
growing of hemp that has far greater THC capacity," Rep. Ron Godbey,
R-Albuquerque, said.

"This plant has virtually no economic value to this country and has
potential danger that is enormous," he added.