Virginia Is About To Legalize Hemp. Their Leaders In Congress Aren’t Too Thrilled About It.

BY RICK SINCERE 
Source: ijreview.com

Last week, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly approved bills to allow the licensed cultivation of industrial hemp, following the lead of legislatures in Kentucky and North Dakota.

Libertarian activist Nicholas Cote, who heads up an advocacy group called Right Way Forward Virginia, told IJ Review that the bipartisan nature of the support for these bills is heartening. But he’s disappointed that Virginia’s congressional delegation has not stepped up to the plate:

“During World War II, growing hemp was mandatory for farmers as part of the national war effort. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, and it was one of the first crops planted by the colonists at Jamestown.”

“The United States is the largest consumer of hemp products in the world, but it is the only industrialized country that prohibits farmers from growing hemp.”

Currently, the federal government permits the growing of hemp only on a limited basis – largely for research purposes. In January, Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) introduced the “Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015,” which would exempt industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. The bill has 52 co-sponsors but none of them are from Virginia.

Hemp production is prohibited as part of the drug war. The Drug Enforcement Administration opposes widespread growing of hemp because, as part of the cannabis family, it can be mistaken for marijuana, even though it cannot be smoked or used as a narcotic.

The Virginia legislature’s action has found a broad range of support.

Also, the Charlottesville Daily Progress came out in support of the legislation:

Advocates have made compelling arguments that hemp is a useful plant and that its cultivation could allow Virginia to further diversify its agricultural base.

Barring equally compelling arguments — which have yet to emerge — against the proposal, we’re inclined to let the commonwealth launch its research on the plant and prepare for the day when commercial cultivation can commence.

Cote said he is confident that an industrial hemp bill will land on Governor Terry McAuliffe’s desk, and that the governor will sign it into law.

Rick Sincere is a writer and consultant based in Charlottesville, Virginia. His reviews and essays have appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, and other publications.