Industrial hemp should be legal to grow

Dear Editor:

Many are unaware that industrial hemp has a legendary, provocative and exaggerated history in U.S. agriculture.

Unfortunately, for the American farmer, misinformation and continued misguided agendas are the causes of these obstacles that are only slowing the progression of the inevitable.

Although industrial-hemp, a variety of the same species, has no psychoactive potential as does marijuana hemp, 72 years later the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, continues to make no distinction between the two. This policy is absurd and the DEA does not apply the same standards to other agricultural products with similar characteristics.

Take, for instance, poppy plants. Understandably, it may make sense to prohibit growing and cultivating certain varieties of poppies producing psychoactive compounds. But the DEA allows the growth of these genera, including several varieties of ornamental flowering poppies. Ironically, the papaver somniferum, or "opium poppy" is not prohibited and is grown and cultivated for poppy seeds used for food products.

One may ask, why the double standard? The history is elaborate, but is based in the 1930s and is centered around Harry Jacob Anslinger, one time commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, now the DEA, Dupont and William Randolf Hearst. "Critics allege that Anslinger, Dupont petrochemical interests and William Randolf Hearst together created the highly sensational anti-marijuana campaign to eliminate hemp as an industrial competitor." (Source: Harry J. Anslinger, Wikipedia) Though Congress expressly expected the industrial-hemp industry to continue and flourish, Anslinger made certain it did not.

Today, 31 countries, including Canada, England, the European Union and China permit industrial-hemp agriculture and manufacturing. Their hemp industries are thriving with progressively increasing markets, including: textiles, paper, plastic compounds, composite building materials, geotextiles, oils, auto parts, food products, and literally hundreds of other examples.

As in 1937, many industrial hemp products are superior in characteristics to products currently on the market.

Additionally, most Bibles are made with hemp paper because it has superior properties to other paper products, and does not yellow over time.

Today in the U. S. industrial hemp products, and even raw materials, are legally imported from several other countries. Our industries are permitted to manufacture and sell hemp products, but our farmers are not yet permitted to grow the crop and produce the raw products.

However, I encourage you to support two legislative bills that would strongly benefit our agricultural industry. They are the U.S. House Bill, HR 1866, The Industrial Hemp Act of 2009, and a Missouri House Bill, HB 1130.

It's time we give this cash crop back to the American farmer that was unjustly taken by corrupt individuals some 70 years ago. It's time we give industry a more competitive playing field eliminating the necessity to import raw materials from other countries. It's time we take a harmless native plant and use it to it's full potential as it was intended.

Industrial hemp has the potential of being an outstanding cash crop for the American farmer, creating numerous industries, creating needed eco-friendly products, and of creating necessary jobs for individuals.

Can you say, "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT"?

Sincerely,

Rick G. Amos

Ozark, Mo.