Illinois Farmers May Be Allowed to Grow Hemp

There seems to be critical mass accumulating around the legalization of industrial hemp this year. It is about time. Only 74 years after the initial prohibition was wrongfully foisted on American farmers via an ignorant congress and corrupt lobbying effort.

If several more states pass laws allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp, will some bold and visionary farmer finally put in a crop to test the feds? Will this set up another states rights battle? And how long can the feds use the courts to hold back the inevitable green cannabis tide? Stay tuned for exciting developments.

As 'Exhibit A' in the battle against ignorance around industrial hemp, check out State Rep. Norine Hammond's laughable comments below. I suggest she do a little reading and educate herself before making such an absurd comment.



Illinois Farmers May Be Allowed to Grow Hemp

by Carol Daniel

March 2, 2011 2:47 PM 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.(IRN)–An Illinois House committee has passed a measure that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp for commercial purposes, such as to make rope, clothing and other accessories. 

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) acknowledges he’s not the leading authority on agriculture issues, but realizes agriculture is Illinois’ biggest business. He says adding hemp to the list of crops farmers can grow would go a long way to diversifying the state’s agriculture industry. 

House Bill 1383 says farmers wishing to grow, produce, or sell industrial hemp or related projects must be licensed on a yearly basis through the Department of Agriculture. State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) was one of two representatives to vote no on the measure. Her Western Illinois district is mostly farmland, most of which she says is already spoken for. 

“Particularly our Asian markets are clamoring for our soybeans,” she explains. “We can’t possibly grow enough soybeans to export on the market.” Hammond is also worried some hemp would be stolen and misused as a hallucinogenic drug. 

The Illinois Farm Bureau is on record as supporting the measure, but other agencies such as the Illinois State Police have not weighed in. Hammond says the only way she’d support the measure is if the state police back it. 

Source: CBS News St. Louis 





Representative Norine Hammond (R) 94th District

Springfield Office: 213-N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL   62706 (217) 782-0416 District Office: 311 N. Lafayette Street P.O. Box 170 Macomb, IL  61455 (309) 836-2707 (309) 836-2231 FAX McDonough County

Years served: December 2010 - Present

Committee assignments: Aging; Agriculture & Conservation; Appropriations-Higher Education; Consumer Protection; Human Services.

Biography: State Representative 94th District. Appointed Dec 9, 2010 to fill the vacancy of the late Rep. Rich Myers. Served as Legislative Aid to Rep. Myers since 1999. Born September 21, 1952 in Berwyn, IL . Attended Western Illinois University, Macomb. Emmet Township Trustee 2004 - 2006, Township Supervisor 2006 -2011. Served on Macomb Planning Commission.