DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR SENSE ABOUT HEMP

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill to legalize the growing of
industrial hemp as a valuable -- and non-intoxicating -- cash crop is
a perfect example of federal control run amok . . . as if we didn't
have plenty examples of that in California already.

The legalization of hemp makes sense for a lot of reasons, both
economically and environmentally. It grows in all kinds of conditions;
serves as a rotational crop, refreshing soil nutrients; and requires
no pesticides or herbicides.

Hemp products are common -- it's in clothes, paper, food, and even
auto parts. America's Declaration of Independence is said to have been
written on hemp. But much of it is imported from China and Canada.
North Dakota is the only state that allows its growth for that purpose.

Studies have estimated that yields of $320 to $600 an acre are
possible with hemp cultivation -- nothing like the profit margin
estimated from the illegal grows for which Humboldt County is so
famous (or infamous).

But then a hemp farmer shouldn't risk a prison term -- except that the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has convinced the governor that
there is no legal distinction between hemp and marijuana, which
contains THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols), which provide the euphoric
effect of pot.

"Unfortunately, I am very concerned that this bill would give
legitimate growers a false sense of security and a belief that
production of 'industrial hemp' is somehow a legal activity under
federal law," said Schwarzenegger in vetoing the bill.

(It was clear from his comments that he believed in the vast benefits
of the bipartisan measure for California's farmers, but was
intimidated by the knee-jerk drug-war lobbyists. It has become clear
that any common sense in changing the hemp laws must come at the
congressional level -- but don't hold your breath.