HEMP BILL KILLED BY SENATE PANEL

A proposal to legalize industrial uses of the marijuana plant hemp went up
in smoke Thursday, but state lawmakers are still considering whether to let
Arizona State University study its agricultural production.

Sen. Darden Hamilton, R-Glendale, submitted an amendment that would have
changed a bill regarding the transportation of groundwater to one
legalizing industrial hemp production, possession and use. It also would
let ASU conduct the study.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee stripped the legalization portion
out of the bill and passed the study provision on a 7-0 vote. The revised
bill now moves to the Rules Committee before action by the full Senate.

"I see total merit in the study at ASU," said Sen. Elaine Richardson,
D-Tucson. But Richardson said she was not interested in changing the legal
definition of marijuana to allow possession of hemp.

Hemp supporters say the plant can be used to make paper, clothing, rope and
more. They presented committee members with an American flag, soap, candles
and other products made from hemp.

"This is not about medical marijuana or the recreational varieties of
hemp," said Noel Hebets, an attorney for Mesa-based Fuel and Fiber Co.

While hemp is a marijuana plant, it has a lower level of the chemicals that
make other varieties popular as a drug.

"Some of the unsmokable stuff may hit the streets and some people get
ripped off, but not the other way," Hebets said.

There are 30 countries that grow hemp for food, fuel and other products,
Hebets said.

"They do not have the problem with the illegal side that we do. Maybe we're
doing something wrong," he said.

Prosecutors opposed legalizing hemp, arguing that the change would blur the
lines regarding prohibitions on drug use and create enforcement problems.

"Yes, it's a low percentage, but marijuana with this low percentage (would
have been) legalized," Special Assistant Maricopa County Attorney Jerry
Landau said.

"This can be smoked," he added, noting that the concentration of drug
chemicals in hemp is close to that of the pot smoked in the mid-'70s. "This
drug should not be legalized in Arizona."