Controversy

THE LEGAL TIES THAT BIND HEMP FARMING

Shoes, socks, lip balm, paper, twine, coffee filters, snack bars, dog
collars, soap, jeans, wallets, candles, insulation, paints, cosmetics,
plasters, blankets and fuel are just a few things that can be done
with hemp other than smoking it.

The environmentally friendly weed, which is used around the world for
its fiber, seed and oil, requires little fertilizer and pesticides to
grow. It can be used instead of trees to make paper and is a source of
biomass fuel. So why aren't we using it?

Hemp is banned in the U.S. because law enforcement and the federal
government have long identified it with a distant cousin: the
mood-altering marijuana plant. Although it is legal to possess hemp
(you cannot be arrested for sporting hemp Adidas sneakers), it's
illegal to grow hemp.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy insists legalizing hemp
would send the wrong message. But times are changing.

States are leading the way in this change. On Saturday, North Dakota
became the first state to permit the growth and sale of industrial
hemp, although growers will still need permits from the Drug
Enforcement Agency. Virginia and Montana have formally called for an
end to the federal ban, and Hawaii recently voted to allow 10-acre
test plots. New Mexico recently approved funding for hemp research,
and the Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Assn. is working to
reestablish the crop there. New Hampshire, Montana,Vermont, Iowa,
Maryland and Tennessee are also considering pro-hemp legislation, and
the California Democratic Party adopted a resolution supporting hemp
at its state convention in March.

And why not? Sales are booming. In 1993, worldwide retail sales of
hemp were only a few million dollars. In 1997, sales surpassed $75
million, according to HempTech, a Sebastapol, Calif.-based hemp
research organization. HempTech President John Roulac explains: "Hemp
is making a comeback for several reasons--because the product
attributes are superior; it's sustainable and can be grown without
pesticides; and people are fascinated with why a crop that's so
versatile is banned by the federal government."

Industrial hemp advocates are pleased because the campaign to legalize
hemp seems at last to be moving away from the counterculture. "The
North Dakota legislation was not the work of activists. It was North
Dakota farmers listening to Canadian radio stations and hearing about
the success of this amazing crop," says advocate Don Wartshafter.
Advocates hope the momentum will lead to the Justice Department
lifting its ban on hemp farming within the next year. For more
information, log on to http://www.hempseed.com/