Delaware Hemp bill could create research opportunities

By Jen Rini
Source: delaware.newszap.com









Legislation circulating through the Delaware General Assembly looks to set the 
groundwork for industrial hemp research at higher education institutions and 
through the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Hemp can be used for a variety 
of sustainable infrastructure from apparel to automobiles to wind turbines. Here is 
a piece of raw hemp, which grows in fibrous tall stalks. (Submitted photo) 

 DOVER — Delawareans would be able to research the potential of industrial hemp for innovations such as plant-based cars if a new bill clears the legislature.

Sponsored by Rep. Dave Wilson, R-Bridgeville, the prospective legislation would allow colleges, universities and the Delaware Department of Agriculture to create and operate pilot programs to study the growth, cultivation or marketing of industrial hemp.

“Hemp is a versatile plant that should grow well in Delaware and may hold the promise of sparking economic development and diversifying agricultural operations in the future,” Rep. Wilson explained in a news release.

According to professor Richard Wool with the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials, hemp has been abundantly used as a natural fiber since the 1800s for paint canvas as well as for nautical sails and ropes.

“Hemp is one of the worlds greatest agricultural crops,” Mr. Wool said.

However, the federal government has prohibited its cultivation since the late 1930s since hemp belongs to the same genus of plants as marijuana — cannabis — so major research has been stalled.

Hemp, contains THC, the same cannabinoid psychoactive compound found in marijuana, but less than 1 percent, so it does not produce any mood-altering effects.

“I think we need to get over the (strife) in drug wars and realize (hemp) is very valuable,” Mr. Wool said.

In modern times, he said that hemp fiber-based materials were often replaced by synthetic fibers, which are petroleum-based.

However, with the risks of climate change, the switch to hemp materials has become more attractive.

“With climate change and the need for materials from renewable resources, hemp presents an excellent opportunity to make very high composite materials,” Mr. Wool said.

The need has become prevalent on the federal level. The 2014 omnibus, five-year Federal Farm Bill, signed by President Obama in February, lessens some of the restrictions on hemp production. It contains a provision that allows states to facilitate pilot hemp research programs.

Twelve states, including Maine, Kentucky and West Virginia, currently have laws that allow hemp production, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nine of those states have programs to promote the growth and marketing of industrial hemp.

Hemp can be used to make clothing, paper, auto parts and wind turbines as well as for bio-fuels and chemical cleanups.

The automobile industry in particular, Mr. Wool said, could be reinvented with hemp. Industrial hemp composites can be used to replace nearly all interior auto parts, and literally reduce the weight of cars, which in turn allows them to be more fuel-efficient.

A standard car could get up to 50 miles per gallon, while a “green” car, like a Prius, would be able to go even farther, Mr. Wool said.

Additionally a majority of the components of a wind turbine could be made with hemp.

“We’re talking about new industries in support of the renewable energy infrastructure,” Mr. Wool said.

Locally grown hemp would not only be sustainable, but convenient for research purposes, he added.

However, though the Delaware Department of Agriculture is aware of the proposal, Dan Shortridge, a spokesman for the department, said officials would need to study it further. The department currently does not have a program or staff in place to conduct hemp research, nor are they aware of any specific interest from Delaware farmers or companies in growing hemp, he added.

Still, Mr. Wool thinks the legislation could spur discussion and continued interest from scientists and farmers.

“It would be very, very nice to have it integrated in our agronomy,” Mr. Wool said.

“It has very good fiber qualities and it grows quite rapidly and great abundance and it doesn’t impose very strong chemical requirements on the farmer. Hemp is, I understand, quite resilient. ... I think this should definitely be pursued.”

The bill is expected to be introduced when the legislators reconvene from the budget markup break this week.

Staff writer Jen Rini can be reached at 741-8250 or jrini@newszap.com. Follow@DSNJen_Rini on Twitter.