HEMP BILL FACES TOUGH OPPOSITION IN HOUSE

ST. PAUL - Legislation aimed at making industrial hemp an
alternative farm crop was given preliminary approval by the Minnesota
Senate on Monday, but the bill could face tough opposition in the House.

Hemp is a weak relative of marijuana. The plant was grown extensively
in western Minnesota about 50 years ago, before it was banned as a
controlled substance by state and federal officials.

Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL-Erskine, has been trying for
years to resurrect hemp as an alternative crop for Minnesota farmers,
many of whom have been besieged by crop disease and low commodity prices.

"It's not going to replace wheat, barley or sugar beets in the Red
River Valley," Moe said, while promoting hemp as a niche crop that
could help some farmers.

The Legislature must look at alternatives, he said, when farmers can't
get a decent price for their traditional crops.

Moe's bill would allow hemp to be grown on an experimental basis for
about two years. If the experiment proves the crop worthwhile, the
Legislature could be asked to legalize the wholesale production and
processing of hemp.

Worldwide, hemp's popularity has been rebounding.

In Europe, the acreage devoted to hemp production has swelled from
10,000 acres in 1994 to 40,000 acres in 1998. The crop already is
grown in 29 countries.

Last year, Canada harvested its first hemp crop in 60 years. And Moe
said North Dakota also is looking at legalizing hemp production.

"I think this would be an excellent way for our farmers to supplement
their income," said Sen. Becky Lourey, DFL-Kerrick.

Sen. Kenric Sheevel, R-Preston, said the crop has widespread support
in the agricultural community. He said farmers see hemp as a far more
versatile crop than soybeans.

In World War II, hemp was harvested for rope, but the crop fell into
disfavor. Today, it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, clothing,
shoes, paper, cars, paints, fertilizer and construction materials.

Sen. Charlie Berg, I-Chokio, said the crop already grows wild in fence
lines throughout western Minnesota.

"This is not something new," he said. "I don't think there is going to
be any dire results from this at all."

But law enforcement officials are wary, and have lobbied against Moe's
efforts over the last three years to reintroduce hemp into farm production.

Last year, legislation authorizing the University of Minnesota to
conduct a study of hemp production was vetoed by former Gov. Arne Carlson.

This year, the legislation could die in the House, where two
legislators have authored bills to legalize hemp production.

Before the bills can reach the House floor for a vote, however, they
must go through the Crime Prevention Committee, a committee that is
chaired by Rep. Rich Stanek, R-Maple Grove, a Minneapolis police officer.

Even though hemp is too weak to have the hallucinogenic qualities of
marijuana, law enforcement officials worry that legalizing the plant
sends a bad message to young people and makes it harder for them to
enforce the nation's marijuana ban.