By Alexander Armani-Munn
Source: uncmirror.com
In the last year, advocates of marijuana reform have had ample reasons to celebrate. The prospects of increased tax revenue, decreased spending on enforcement and incarceration and depleting criminal activity have warmed a considerable portion of the population to the idea of legalizing recreational marijuana.
I appreciate the legislative reforms that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana in some form in 21 states across the United States. Still, I believe the greatest appeal of cannabis lies not in its psychoactive effects, but rather in its cultivation for biofuels, textiles, food products and many other consumer goods.
As the discourse on marijuana reform moves forward and gains prominence on the national stage, I encourage advocates and opponents alike to consider the multi-faceted nature of this issue
The appeal of cannabis extends far beyond the bong, and as such, we should not limit the dialogue around its regulation to its consumption as a psychoactive substance.
Industrial hemp thrived as a leading cash crop in America until the 20th century.
The end of the golden age of industrial hemp cultivation began with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, and despite a brief resurgence fueled by government subsidies during World War II, industrial hemp production essentially ceased in America by the 1950s.
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to House Resolution 1947, which allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp at colleges and universities in states where it is already legal without fear of federal interference. The cultivation of industrial hemp at colleges and universities will allow for important research on the use of cannabis in textiles, building materials, food and biofuels.
On Nov. 6, Colorado officials unveiled a proposed framework for the regulation of industrial hemp in the state. The regulation will require farmers to pay a $200 annual fee with an additional $1 for every acre of hemp planted. Commissioners in the Colorado Department of Agriculture must now approve the regulations.
It is unlikely the federal government will interfere with the development of the industrial hemp industry in Colorado, but hemp itself is still a schedule one substance and no federal bill has yet been approved decriminalizing hemp production on a broad scale.
The U.S. Senate is currently sitting on the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013, which would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. Essentially, hemp would no longer be coupled with marijuana as a controlled substance and accordingly be subject to separate regulation. The bill requires farmers to grow industrial hemp in accordance with state law and to maintain THC levels in their crop not exceeding 0.3 percent.
The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 is compelling legislation with great bipartisan support-a democratic sponsor with two republican sponsors and an independent. Regardless of their preference for pot, I encourage all people to research the benefits of industrial hemp and to support legislation that allows for the cultivation of hemp.
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