WHAT'S MATT SMOKIN'?

A State Assemblyman Explains Why Our Columnist Is Wrong About
Legislation That Would Legalize the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp

I enjoy Matt Smith's wit and humor as much as he seems to enjoy my
legislative work. His unique perspective is not always one that I
share but is consistently intriguing, intelligent, and bemusing. At
times, Matt is perfectly confounding. Take for example his piece "Dumb
as a Potted Plant" (April 6). One has to chuckle at Smith's incessant
use of the terms "reefer freaks," "potheads," and "memory-impaired
losers" in what purports to be a critique of my bill to allow for the
production of industrial hemp in California. Though Matt clearly
articulates his accurate understanding that marijuana and industrial
hemp are distant biological cousins, with hemp having only trace
amounts of THC, he misses no opportunity to confuse the issue
throughout his article. Relax, Matt, we all know how you feel about
pot.

Matt makes the supposition that "the most ardent advocates of the
claim that the legalization of hemp cultivation is an 'important
issue' happen to be people who also believe, passionately, that they
should be free to smoke pot recreationally." In fact, the most ardent
national advocates for the legalization of hemp production are the
children and grandchildren of hemp farmers who are presently desperate
to get out of farming the killer weed tobacco. Yes, white,
middle-class, Christian folk from Kentucky, Virginia, and other points
southeast have hired lobbyists in Washington, D.C., to have Congress
take action. No "reefer freaks" there -- just good ol' boys and gals
who are looking to make an honest living working the land without the
blood of cigarette tar on their hands.

What "memory-impaired" Matt forgets to share with his readers is that
hemp farming is nothing radical or new for America. George Washington
and Thomas Jefferson were hemp farmers, and our Constitution was
written on hemp paper. The crop has been used historically for so many
purposes because it is a multifunctional, very useful, sustainable
crop.

Industrial hemp grows pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide free. Hemp
renews itself every 90 days and grows with less water than most other
crops. From it can be manufactured over 25,000 products. Imagine
growing a plant from which can be produced food, clothing, shelter,
paper, and fuel. Just about anything that can be made using
petrochemicals can be made from industrial hemp -- all biodegradable.
Since the United States banned hemp production in the 1930s in the
midst of its Reefer Madness era, the crop has had a tough time finding
respect. The good news is that things are beginning to change. Over 30
countries are now growing hemp, including almost all of our Western
trading partners. The international markets reflect its
ever-increasing demand.

Case in point is Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, based in Escondido for
over 50 years. Since adding hemp oil to their list of product
ingredients in 2000, retail sales doubled to over $20 million a year.
Today Dr. Bronner's is the top-selling natural soap in North America
and Japan. This single company, one of 50 hemp companies in
California, spends over $350,000 a year importing hemp oil from
England for soap and hemp seed from Canada for their Alp Snack, an
organic hemp seed energy bar. That is revenue from just one company
that could be going directly to California farmers. Has Matt not yet
heard of our nation's growing half-trillion-dollar trade deficit?

The global market for hemp has come a long way since Canadians first
legalized growing the plant. This year over 13,000 acres of hemp will
be farmed in Canada, 5,000 more than in 2004. Demand for hemp fiber is
increasing and being used in a variety of products, including interior
parts in cars made by Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW. Over 40,000
acres of hemp was grown in the European Union in 2004, primarily to
supply the auto industry and other fiber markets. Canadian farmers
make $200 to $250 (Canadian) per acre growing organic hemp for the
food and body care industries. Farmers in the U.K. garner $350 per
acre when they harvest seed and fiber simultaneously.

Thirty years ago soy farming was considered strange when the market
was just emerging. Today, it's a staple crop used in thousands of food
products. Hemp might seem to be a niche market today, but why should
we stifle development of this crop because it's popular with vegans
and health food consumers and unpopular with Matt Smith? In total the
Hemp Industries Association conservatively estimates more than $200
million in hemp products is sold in the United States each year. The
potential for growth is enormous. At the very least, why is our
government preventing our farmers from growing this incredible plant?

My bill, AB 1147, simply legalizes agricultural production of hemp so
California farmers can benefit from this already-established market.
With any luck, we may create a new career option for Mr. Smith.

Mark Leno