HEMP FARMING: LEARNING FROM THE PAST--SAVING THE NEXT GENERATIONS' FUTURE

Hemp is happening--Canadian farmers are growing it once again! This
versatile crop could also help American farmers and create thousands
of jobs.

Industrial hemp was grown in the thirteen colonies, even George
Washington grew it. Today, its economic potential is being
rediscovered. Bills allowing test plantings were introduced in
Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii. A North Dakota bill (HB
1428) would reclassify industrial hemp (with a maximum three tenths
of one percent THC) as a oilseed crop, and allow its
cultivation.

The U.S. and Canada both grew hemp in the past. It was falsely labeled
as marijuana and outlawed about 60 years ago due to a misinformation
campaign funded by the oil, timber and other industries threatened by
competition from industrial hemp. According to HEMPTECH, a global
network of hemp industry consultants, more than 25,000 products can be
made from hemp!

Unlike its counsin marijuana, industrial hemp is not a drug because it
lacks enough THC to produce a high. " Industrial hemp and marijuana
aren't the same thing," said Jeff Gain, chairman of the board of the
U.S. Agriculture Department's Alternative Agricultural Research And
Commercialization Corp.

Gain, who also worked for the Illinois Farm Bureau and National Corn
Growers Association said hemp could give Midwest economies a boost. "
There are concerns about the enviroment. We must have diversity crops
like hemp that grow without pesticides," he said. Hemp also out grows
persitent weeds like Johnson grass.

Ed Saukkooja of Washington State assessed logs for Weyerhauser for 22
years. He worked in logging camps and mills throughout Washington,
Oregon and Alaska. His grandfather Wally was also a logger. As
executive director of HempLobby, Saukkooja travels around the country
speaking about hemp. Hemplobby provides online lobbying materials and
maintains a database of hemp information. Its mission is to inform the
public, business community and government about hemp's economic and
enviromental benefits. Hemplobby's motto is, " Promoting the economy
while protecting the enviroment."

As Hemplobby points out, " Washington State's major industry is
logging and timber products including paper pulp. This industry is
non-sustainable and has been fading in recent years. Hemp is a natural
to replace wood as raw fiber in many products made with wood. Further,
hemp growth is beneficial to reclaim and restablize lands which have
been over-logged, eroded or over-fertilized." The group educates law
enforcement about the difference between industrial hemp and marijuana.

" The Economic Impact of Industrial Hemp in Kentucky," an eighteen
month study, was co-written by economics professor Mark Berger,
director of the University of Kentucky' Center for Business and
Economic research. Berger said Hemp ia a viable crop which can be used
in paper products, textiles, cosmetics, pharaceuticals and as a
fiberglass substitute. Returns per acre could range from $220 for hemp
grown for grain or straw to $600 for raising certified seed for other
hemp growers. Though less than the $1000 per acre return from dark,
fine-cured tobacco, hemp yeilds higher returns than soybeans, hay,
corn, wheat and grain sorghum.

Horse bedding is a lucrative hemp product now manufactured in England.
If only ten percent ot thoroughbred owners bought American-made hemp
horse bedding, a yearly market for 55,000 tons would be created in and
around Kentucky and 300,000 tons in the U.S.

Urge your legislators to legalize non-narcotic industrial hemp-for
jobs and our enviroment!

Hemp Resources:

* Hemp, Lifeline to the future" by Chris Conrad

* Consolidated Growers and Processors: www.congrowpro.com

* HempLobby: www.hemplobby.com

* HEMPTECH: wwwhemptech.com

* North Americam Industrial Hemp Council: www.naihc.org

* Hemp Industries Association: www.thehia.org