Hemp Farmers Receive Investment to Heighten Exports

PRESS RELEASE
Source: marketwatch.com

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, Nov 21, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Canadian hemp producers will benefit from a boost to their marketing brand abroad thanks to the support of the Government of Canada. The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment of more than $55,000 to the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) as it kicks off its national convention in Winnipeg.

"Hemp food products are a rapidly growing market with great versatility, ranging from high quality flour and pasta to nutritional bars and even ice cream," said MP Fletcher. "Our Government is proud to help this industry capitalize on its successes and further enhance its competitiveness in international markets while bolstering the Canadian economy."

With this investment, the CHTA will promote the high quality of Canadian hemp to international markets. This will include placing the Canada Brand and new CHTA logo on promotional materials as well as a trade show booth. This investment will enable the Alliance to increase participation in key trade shows as well as invite international speakers to make presentations at its two-day national convention in Winnipeg, which began today.

"The funding support available to the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance through the AgriMarketing Program has allowed us to undertake projects that would otherwise not be possible," said Kim Shukla, executive director of the CHTA. "These are projects that support the growth of the hemp sector, a sector with tremendous range of market opportunities encompassing green, healthy living from food to biofibres."

In 2010, exports of hemp seed and hemp products were valued at more than $10 million. This represents an increase of about 200 per cent from 2007. The CHTA is a national organization, representing those involved in Canada's hemp industry, which promotes Canadian hemp and hemp products globally.

The Government of Canada has also developed the Canada Brand strategy to help the Canadian agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sector distinguish itself from key competitors in international markets. The Canada Brand encourages buyers overseas to link Canadian products with quality, commitment, trustworthiness and the clean land and water for which Canada is known.

Tools and promotional products, including a stylized maple leaf logo, are available to registered Canada Brand members to help them develop marketing strategies and activities adapted to their own circumstances.

To find out more about the AgriMarketing program or the Canada Brand international strategy, visit: www.agr.gc.ca/agrimarketing or www.marquecanadabrand.agr.gc.ca .

Petition Circulating To Legalize Marijuana In State Of Missouri

by Kevin Murphy
Source: websterkirkwoodtimes.com

A petition now circulating in Missouri would place a constitutional amendment on the November 2012 ballot to legalize marijuana for those 21 or older.

The "Show-Me Cannabis Initiative" calls for a sweeping repeal of criminal prohibitions against marijuana in Missouri.

The measure would regulate cannabis in many of the same ways the state now regulates alcohol. Marijuana would be legal and could be sold by licensed vendors or grown at home for personal use. Medical cannabis would be made available to those with a physician's recommendation, including those under 21 with parental consent and physician supervision. Retail sales would be taxed by the state (up to $100 per pound).

The petition, approved Nov. 7 for circulation by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, goes further in requiring the release of those incarcerated on non-violent, cannabis-only offenses, and would expunge all records related to such offenses.

The measure would also allow for the cultivation of low-potency (non-smokable) hemp, allowing for the return of a hemp industry that flourished in this country up until World War II.

The petition was submitted by Columbia attorney Dan Viets. Viets is Missouri state coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and a long-time advocate for drug law reform in both Missouri and on the federal level.

"We are now closer than we've ever been to repealing the criminal prohibition of marijuana," Viets said.

Prevailing attitudes about the legalization of marijuana are changing, and changing rather dramatically, according to Viets. He points to a recent Gallup poll that shows, for the first time in this country's history, that a majority of Americans favor the legalization of marijuana -- 50 percent agreeing with legalization to 46 percent opposed. Some of the strongest support comes from the Midwest.

Just five years ago Gallup reported that 60 percent of U.S. citizens opposed the legalization of marijuana, with only 36 percent in support.

"The greatest support is still among the youngest groups, with the lowest level of support coming from among the older folks. The simple fact of the situation is that demographics are changing. Dramatic increases in support will continue in the years to come," Viets said.

Signatures on initiative petitions, about 150,000 are needed, are due to the Secretary of State's office by May 6, 2012.

Sixteen states have already legalized marijuana for medical use, and 14 states have decriminalized marijuana for personal use. In addition to Missouri, five other states are at some stage of considering similar actions.

"We are squandering massive amounts of tax money on police, and on prosecution and prison for people who don't need to be treated like criminals," Viets said.

Even if the required number of signatures are collected, and voters approve the measure come November, a federal prohibition against marijuana would still be in place. Viets concedes that retail marijuana sales in Missouri could be subject to federal prosecution since the federal government collects taxes on retail sales.

He predicts, however, that the federal government will do little to stop marijuana reform laws at the state level.

"We don't have to sign on to the federal government's prohibition against marijuana. If the federal government wants to march in and round up marijuana smokers, they could, but they won't," Viets said.

Viets also predicts that the Missouri Legislature will not be on board should marijuana be legalized. Lawmakers, however, cannot pass legislation repealing a constitutional amendment.

Earth Protex Hemp Textile Company

Source: cantiva.com

Earth Protex is a vertically integrated converter of textiles utilizing organic, recycled, and sustainable raw materials. We are based in Dalian, China with production sites from the Shanghai region north to the Russian border. For 15 years we have been a pioneer in the sustainable textiles trade, and have had the honor of supplying to dozens of multinational brand-name companies worldwide.

We are a wholly owned division of Hemp Textiles International Corp. of Bellingham, Washington USA (also known as Hemptex), founded in 1994. Hemptex also owns the tradenames GreenChina Textile Group, and TexOrganix Seed to Loom Group.

Earth Protex designs, develops and manufactures knit and woven textiles on a wide range of equipment located at over 25 North China contract manufacturing facilities. Our available spinning equipment includes OE, ring, siro, compact, woolen, worsted, linen dry and wetspinning, and synthetic filament. We have 1" to 118" width weaving capabilities and can make in plain, dobby and jacquard constructions, with weights ranging from 80 g/sq m to 800 g/sq m.

Our finishes include solid dye, cross dye, yarn dye, dope dye, print, enzyme wash, tumble softening, waterproof coatings, waterproof/breathable laminates, and oil/water resistant washes. According to our client's needs we can dye/finish according to Oekotex or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) criteria. We control the manufacturing process from the fiber level forward and this allows us to create unlimited fabrications including customized fiber specs, yarn blends, mixed plied yarns, interweaves, and cross weaves.

We have hundreds of eco-textile fabrications, and the potential end uses include sports apparel, casual apparel, intimate appare, formal apparel, business apparel, home textiles, headwear, footwear, bags and accessories and some technical/industrial applications.

Earth Protex ships from Dalian, Qingdao and Shanghai ports and airports. We sell in US$ for export customers, but can also sell domestically within China in RMB and can support Chinese VAT tax invoices.

Raw Materials - Hemp

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES OF HEMP

2300 years ago hemp was already considered an environmental fiber, for its ability to conserve resources. In this case, the Yellow emporer advised the citizens of China to choose hemp, a vegetable fiber, over animal-based clothing, because as a vegetable fiber, hemp was acknowledged to be more renewable and able to serve the needs of the people of China. In today's world, hemp continues to be a choice for sustainable textiles not just as an alternative to leather, but also as an alternative of oil-derived synthetic fibers, and an alternative to conventionally grown cotton.

Hemp is part of a family of fibers called, "bast fibers". The word bast means that the fiber comes from the bark of the plant. Cotton, by comparison, comes from the flower of the plant. The flower of any plant is much more prone to severe pest damage than the bark. Therefore, bast fiber plants normally do not need the same amount of chemical useage as cotton.

Hemp and other bast fibers such as flax can grow well outside of the over-used cotton belt. As many have reported, the soils of the cotton belt are highly contaminated from the intensive chemicals needed for cotton cultivation, and many aquifers have been depleted badly from irrigation used on much of this crop. Hemp and flax, on the other hand do not need this prime farmland, require little or no chemicals, and normally are not irrigated.

Hemp grown for fiber has other very special characteristics which contribute to sustainable agriculture. Hemp for fiber is seeded with a very high density. After seeding there is normally no additional tilling. The plants quickly form a total leaf canopy over the surface of the ground. This coverage of foiliage shades out competing plants, and has been noted to be an effective natural way to clean up fields of persistent weed problems, as well as proving any herbicide application unnecessary. This leaf canopy also shades the soil beneath from direct sun contact, thereby keeping more moisture in the ground below. This shaded, moist environment promotes biodiversity by providing a suitable habitat for small animals, insects and other micro-organisms.

Hemp's deep taproot has been proven to be good for preventing soil erosion during the growing season, and continuing post-harvest until the next growing season.

HEMP FIBER PROPERTIES
Hemp has long been known to be a strong and longlasting fiber. Although the individual "elemental" fibers within the plant's bark are shorter than cotton, the fibers naturally bond together to form long fiber "chains", actually as long as the plant is tall. In the finest, strongest pure hemp yarns, the fibers can be several feet long. The extreme length of the fibers helps to add to the overall strength of the textile. There are a variety of lengths of shorter fibers which are by products of the long fiber production. These shorter fibers may not create textiles quite as stong, but they often result in a softer handfeel, and also can be blended and spun with fibers such as wool, cotton, or polyester.

Hemp has inherent UV resistant and mold and rot resistant properties. The shape of the fiber helps deflect the sun's rays. The fiber's relatively smooth surface does not provide the same nooks and crannies for bacteria and fungus to lodge and grow, compared to cotton. Also hemp retains a high degree of strength when wet. These properties made hemp a top choice throughout history for marine applications such as rope, sails and oakum. But for the same reasons, creates added-value for many home textile and apparel applications.

Because of its high moisture absorbency, and moisture transfer properties, hemp is known to be an ideal apparel fabric for hot summer weather and tropical climates.

Hemp is purported also to be an effective radiation barrier. We were told by some Polish researchers that the Russians use hemp as an undergarment for their cosmonauts as a protection against radiation.

Hemp and linen share almost identical physical properties, and can only easily be identified when studying the direction of the fiber's twist when wet.


For all your eco-textile needs please contact us as follows:

CHINA - Dalian, Liaoning
Phone: 86-411-6278-6550
Fax: 86-411-8762-6476

USA - Bellingham, WA
Phone: 1-360-650-1684
Fax: 1-815-642-8585

Chinatown Capitol Hemp to Reopen, Charges Dropped

By Martin Austermuhle
Source: dcist.com

The City Paper has the scoop -- Capitol Hemp's Chinatown location, which recently feared that it would have to close for good if it couldn't get its merchandise back, will re-open next week. Not only that, but all charges against employees stemming from the October 27 raids have been dropped.

Three employees were arrested at the Chinatown location and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. As we wrote recently, there have been longstanding debates in the District over what constitutes drug paraphernalia.

Hemp underwear prompts jokes, questions, comfort

by Neal Augenstein 
Source: wtop.com

WASHINGTON -- No, you don't get high wearing hemp underwear.

Skivvies made of the natural fiber have a lot going for them. They're soft, dry easily and have anti-bacterial properties. One problem -- it's illegal to grow hemp in the U.S.

Owner of Capitol Hemp Clothes & Accessories and hemp activist Adam Eidinger believes the U.S. is falling behind the rest of the world, and points to a pair of underwear designed for the Chinese military as an example.

"The Chinese believe industrial hemp is anti-microbial, which means you can wear underwear longer without washing it," Eidinger says. "It's a natural fiber. It's softer, it's more comfortable, and you know a happy soldier is a more effective soldier," he says. The reason it's illegal? Marijuana and hemp are different varieties of the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa L.

"No, you're not going to get high wearing hemp underwear, it's impossible. Industrial hemp usually has THC levels below 0.3 percent. You need about 3 percent to have a psychoactive effect. For some, underwear made from the same plant used to manufacture rope sounds a bit scratchy. "You can make hemp into rope for sure, but if you really break down the fibers and cottonize them you can get extremely soft fibers. "This fiber right here looks and feels like a cotton ball," Eidinger says, holding up an off-white sample of processed hemp.

Currently, most hemp is grown in Canada, China and Europe, but many companies make hemp products in the U.S. Eidinger, and other members of the Hemp Industries Association believe The Industrial Hemp Farming Act would create jobs.

"Too many (American) farmers are begging to grow this crop. They're growing 48,000 acres of hemp in Canada, and their law enforcement has no problems with people growing hemp. And they're exporting their products to the United States.

"In China they have 100,000 (hemp-related) jobs. They've now developed the most modern textile mill in the world, and it's designed specifically for hemp," Eidinger said.

WTOP's Neal Augenstein takes a pair of hemp underwear for a test drive. Don't worry. It's a family-friendly video.

Torchons, or kitchen cloths from France

By S. Irene Virbila
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Whenever I see the handwoven French kitchen towels called torchons at the flea market for a good price, I snatch them up. Most have a red stripe running down the sides. Some are plain weave. Others are woven in old patterns such as herringbone or bird’s eye. Some have initials embroidered in a corner. Most have loops for hanging.

I treasure the ones I have. And almost lost it the other day when I found my husband had gotten beet juice and tomato on one of my favorites. I tried to explain: These are handwoven. They're not meant to wipe your hands on or mop up spilt sauce.

Use them to cover dough while it's rising, or to dry plates that don't go in the dishwasher. Line a basket with one and wrap warm bread in its folds.

I love the hand of these vintage textiles and I know they won’t be made again. But I didn’t know much more than that until I came across a wonderful post from British textile collector and dealer Elizabeth Baer. 

She explains that torchons are "used in French kitchens to dry, clean and wrap china, cutlery, glass, iron pots and pans, as well as preserve bread, meat and fish, and keep flies off.  Most kitchens in old France had open fires for cooking, with hobs and chains to fix the saucepans at different heights as well as spits for roasting and any ovens were mostly used for bread baking.... Washing up was done in big flat stone sinks and of course the soft, creamy pottery soon became cracked and chipped.  The drying cloths came in many weights and patterns -- coarse and dark hemp for black pots, lighter linen for china and very fine for glasses -- with special ones for cutlery as well. They were hung to dry from rows of hooks and sometimes you find enamel racks with the different labels printed on them.  Hemp, linen and cotton were used in varying mixes and amounts, depending on local crops and weavers, and you can still find masses of them at any good linen stand at antique fairs and brocantes."

Also, now when you see foie gras au torchon on a menu, you know that it means foie gras wrapped in a cloth and poached.

Fairbanks City Council: 'Yes' to legalized hemp

Source: alaskadispatch.com

According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, on Monday, the Fairbanks City Council voted 4-1 to approve a resolution that "emphatically" encourages the state of Alaska to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp.

The resolution, submitted by council member Lloyd Hilling, also petitions the president and the Drug Enforcement Agency to prove that the U.S. ban on growing non-psychoactive industrial hemp is constitutional, and if not, to nullify it.

Council member Bernard Gatewood cast the only "no" vote. Gatewood is the superintendent of the Fairbanks Youth Facility and said that he didn't feel comfortable voting for the resolution because the illicit drug marijuana and industrial hemp are too closely associated in people’s minds.

Fairbanks City Council member Lloyd Hilling is seen between an assortment of hemp products on Monday evening, Nov. 14, 2011, at City Hall. Fairbanks City Council Resolution No. 4497, which was introduced by Hilling, urges the Alaska State Legislative and Executive Branches to make expressly legal the cultivation of industrial hemp in the the State of Alaska. John Wagner/News-Miner

Frank Turney points to an assortment of hemp products while voicing his support for Fairbanks City Council Resolution No. 4497 on Monday evening, Nov. 14, 2011, at City Hall. The resolution, introduced by City Council member Lloyd Hilling, urges the Alaska State Legislative and Executive Branches to make expressly legal the cultivation of industrial hemp in the the State of Alaska. John Wagner/News-Miner

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - City Council will urge state Legislature to legalize industrial hemp cultivation 

Full Story:

FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks City Council passed a resolution Monday “emphatically” urging the state to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp. 

The resolution, introduced by Councilman Lloyd Hilling, also urges the state “to petition the president of the United States and his Drug Enforcement Administration either to justify constitutionally its ban on hemp or to nullify its restriction on its cultivation and distribution in the United States.

The cultivation of industrial hemp is illegal in the United States, even though its importation and use in products is not. Hemp fiber and oil can be used to make a variety of products such as textiles, plastics, paper products, animal bedding, rope, essential oils, medicines and food. 

Industrial hemp and marijuana are closely related, but unlike marijuana, hemp does not contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol to be used as a recreational drug.

The resolution passed 4-1, with Councilman Bernard Gatewood casting the only no vote. Gatewood, who is the superintendent of the Fairbanks Youth Facility, said marijuana and hemp are too closely associated in people’s minds for him to feel comfortable voting yes on it.

“I can separate the two, and see the value of a hemp product. I want to support the resolution, but I’m struggling because I just can’t afford to be associated with the legalization of marijuana in any shape or form,” Gatewood said.

Councilman Jim Matherly said he supported the measure because of the research he had done into the topic, and because he feels that it could benefit the state and the country if hemp were legalized.

“I’m not saying legalize pot, I’m saying, let’s get hemp growing,” Matherly said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Frank Turney, a long-time proponent of industrial hemp, displayed some of the many items that can be made from hemp and urged the council to vote yes on the resolution.

HEMP Weapons

Blogger's comment:

If any single thing can be considered diametrically opposed to cannabis hemp in every way, it well may be the H.E.M.P. weapon. In this context, HEMP is an acronym for "High altitude ElectroMagnetic Pulse" and is described in the article below.

"High Energy Radio Frequency" (HERE) and "Electromagnetic Pulse" (EMP) weapons

By Robert Tilford
Source: examiner.com

Electromagnetic Pulse bomps are scary weapons which have the 
potential to fry computers and sensative ekectronics,

Credits: DIefense Intelligence Agency

They are called "High Energy Radio Frequency" (HERE) and "Electromagnetic Pulse" (EMP) weapons - I know very "exotic and futuristic" names but they do pose a serious threat to the entire world. Especially in terms of lethality.

An electromagnetic pulse (sometimes abbreviated EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field. The resulting rapidly changing electric fields and magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging current and voltage surges.

In military terminology, a nuclear bomb detonated hundreds of kilometers above the Earth's surface is known as a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) device. Effects of a HEMP device depend on a very large number of factors, including the altitude of the detonation, energy yield, gamma rays output, interactions with the Earth's magnetic field, and electromagnetic shielding of targets.

They are sometimes referred to as "Directed Energy Weapons" (DEW's) which basically use electromagnetic radiation to deliver heat, mechanical or electrical energy to a target to cause various sometimes very subtle effects.

These weapons are being designed to be used against humans, electronics equipment and military targets generally dependant on technology like command and control centers.

EMP LASER WEAPONS

An electromagnetic pulse laser weapon can be used from up to 1.242 kilometers or over a mile away from a human and kill them with precise accuracy. Others are taser like weapons that effect motor effect in a human being.

PULSED ENERGY PROJECTILE (PEP) ROUNDS - THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES!

The purpose of PEP (Pulsed Energy Projectile), the LIP (Laser Individual Plasma) weapon and last but not least the Active Denial System (ADS) to induce pain although the PEP and has lethal capabilities.

When used as directed electromagnetic energy (DE) weapons can operate similar to omni-directional electromagnetic pulse weapons.

Potential military uses of such weapons are scary and include 1) the capability of inlfuencingan enemy force (or population) to flee rather the to stand and fight 2) instill dread and deny the enemy of sound and sleep - essentially driving people crazy.

Such weapons have redefined the word "terror" when you think of what could happen if such weapons ever fall into the hands of terrorists.

On-line you can read of amateurish attempts to created portable weapons, other are viable attempts to seem to point to a new trend in terms of terrorism in the near future. One site in particle gave all the information you need to make a HERF gun off the shelf, using a 800 watt Microwave oven that had a range of 50 ft that was demonstrated in a field tests and photographs to take out video cameras at 20 feet. (Source: "How to make a HERF weapon" www.topsight.net/article.php/20021115142933894) .

The author explains and photographs all his experiments and shows that even an idiot can make their own HERF gun by simply taking apart a microwave and fitting a wave-guide and cone around the magnetron.

HERE guns could be made and aimed at anything electronic would permanently destroy it.

PROTECTING AGAINST EMP

The only way to protect your computer from such radio weaponry or HERF is by using the Faraday cage method. This can be done by wrapping metallic shielding on and around the entire system. To completely protect it you need to cover the keyboard, mouse, all wires going in and out of the system and even the case of the computer (which alone cannot because of the gaps in the steal, a problem we have identified as a security problem). The other security measure often overlooked, in protecting computers from EMP is "unplugging the machine when not in use.

HOW REAL IS THE THREAT - THERE ARE 30 MILLION REASON WHY!

"In a blink of an eye, electromagnetic bombs could be thrown civilization back 200 years and terrorist can build them for less $400.00. (And kill an estimated 30 million inside of one year)." National Security Agency employee - speaking off the record for this exclusive allvoices report.

WHAT IS EMP?

According to the Institute for Telecommunications Sciences, Electromagnetic Pulse is 1) "The electromagnetic radiation from a nuclear explosion caused by Comton recoil electrons and photo electrons from photons scattered in the materials of the nuclear device or in a surrounding medium. The resulting electrical magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic system to provide damaging current and voltage surges. MAY ALSO BE CAUSE BY NON-NUCLEAR MEANS? 2) A broadband high intensity short duration burst of eltro magnetic energy. Note: In the case of a nuclear bomb, the EMP consists of a continuous frequency spectrum - most of the energy is distributed throughout the lower frequencies between 3 Hz and 30kHz."

In plain language, it is Electro-Magnetic shockwave that is released nuclear and non-nuclear means that can seriously damage only electrical components in its wake or path. China and Russia posses the ability to launch EMP attacks, which are classed in some reports as a "weapon of mass destruction" because of how dependent our society is one electronics and computers.

EMP can travel either through air or through conductive pathways such as electrical phone lines. It can affect electric equipment regardless of if the equipment is switched on or off.

E-BOMBS for under $400 DOLLARS

The more serious threat is from EMP bombs, which can be built off the shelf using around $400 dollars in supplies. Physicist Arthur H. Compton first proposed the theory behind the E-bomb in 1925. Since then they have been like a Frankenstein monster on the loose threatening everyone.

"E-Bombs use a bank of capacitors. Some copper wire and explosives to create an EMP which would wipe out all integrated circuits and other such things", according to Popular Mechanical magazine, which said "only diesel engines will work after a blast".

E-bombs are sometimes called "flux compression generator". They sound nicer that way.

US HAS THE MOST EMP BOMBS - according to the "Tarzan yell" (underground) newsletter publican Phx, Arizona.

The US military has such E bomb and is thinking about using them against anti ship missiles and similar things, which could render sophisticated computer electronics and render them useless. E-Bombs have a "blast range"...and pose a serious threat to unsecured electronics. (Source: http://popularmechanics.com/science/military/2001/9/e-bomb/).

Now circumstantial evidence suggests terrorists are also expressing interests in such weapons. Moreover, we can just imagine how they can adapt them for use in indiscriminate attacks against people in crowded cities.

"Funding for EMP defense should be a national priority - it isn't for some reason?", says Tom Newan of Charlotte, N.C

See useful information on EMP weapons @ http://www.huachuca-usaic.army,mil/contleaming/infrastructure/medical/Mipb/janmarch97/merkle.html

Robert Tilford

Charlotte, N.C.

Hilling to push legalization of industrial hemp

by Dorothy Chomicz
Source: newsminer.com


FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks City Council member Lloyd Hilling will introduce a resolution at the next council meeting urging the state government to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp in Alaska. This is Hilling’s first resolution since regaining the council seat that he lost to Emily Bratcher in 2008. 

Hilling said he has several reasons for writing the resolution.

“Well, I’ll tell you, my primary motive is that this is something that should be legal, and should be investigated and should be explored. It should be experimented with openly and possibly be developed into something relatively big for Alaska,” Hilling said.

Hemp, or Cannabis sativa, has only minute quantities of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannot be used as a recreational drug. Hemp grows quickly, and the plant and fibers can be used for many purposes such as paper products, textiles, plastics, animal bedding, rope, essential oils, medicine, food and construction. 

Cannabis indica, commonly referred to as marijuana, is not suitable for industrial use and is cultivated almost exclusively for recreational or medicinal drug use. The cultivation of marijuana, and consequently its close cousin hemp, has been illegal in the U.S. since the 1930s.

Even though it is illegal to grow hemp in the U.S., it is not illegal to use it industrially.

“You realize of course that we import it freely — in other words it gets imported without the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) batting an eye because of the fact that it’s non-psychoactive. The entire United States is deprived of growing their own, and there certainly are places where it would compete with imports,” Hilling said.

Hilling said he hopes Alaska will “join with other states and make enough of an outcry to perhaps get the United States people to realize, hey, this is not a drug.”

Hilling said he also hopes to send a notice to the federal government.

“Well, it’s partly a state’s rights thing — it’s an endeavor to assert our right as a state to grow industrial hemp. The states are sovereign — the federal government has no right to prevent us from growing an agriculturally useful product,” Hilling said.

Currently 10 U.S. states — California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia — have passed laws legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp, but it is still against federal law to do so. According to the North American Industrial Hemp Council website, “While it is theoretically possible to get permission from the government to grow hemp, DEA would require the field be secured by fence, razor wire, dogs, guards, and lights, making it cost-prohibitive.”

Hilling said the resolution is a way to introduce an item he is knowledgeable about.

“Frankly, well, it’s something to do. I’m not up to speed on what the council is doing yet, and this is something I am up to speed on.”

Hilling said his interest in the issue was inspired by local hemp advocate Frank Turney, and after looking into it on his own he became convinced that its production should be made legal. 

Mayor Jerry Cleworth says he has not read the resolution yet, but he’s not surprised Hilling wrote it.

“Lloyd is very open to stuff from constituents. That’s one reason I think everybody kind of likes Lloyd — he’s not afraid to go out on a limb, and not afraid to look at things and explore.”

Hilling said he also is in favor of legalizing marijuana, but that strict safeguards would have to be put in place to ensure that children did not have access to it.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Hilling to push legalization of industrial hemp 

Adult Swim’s Flash Game Hemp Tycoon Crops Up on Facebook

by Randy Nelson

Source: insidesocialgames.com

Adult Swim’s video games studio has launched what it is calling its most ambitious social title to date, Hemp Tycoon. Based on its popular Flash game of the same name, Hemp Tycoon is a farming simulation that has players planting, harvesting, and selling hemp. For the jump to Facebook, the title has received a number of additions and updates for its Facebook debut.

A look at the title in our AppData traffic tracking service indicates that Hemp Tycoon hasn’t completely made the switch to Facebook’s new active user accounting method. The game’s Facebook page reports 30,000 monthly active users.

In Hemp Tycoon, players assume the persona of Hempy, a hemp leaf who grows hemp. With the assistance of his grandfather, Hempy starts out his fledgling hemp empire growing plants inside of his tree house. Players start with an initial allotment of cash, using it to purchase seeds that can be planted in pots. They can then harvest the hemp after a period (various types require differing amounts of time before they’re fully grown) and sell it for more cash.

Boosts, including grow lights, and fertilizer can also be purchased. Seed types range from a run-of-the-mill hemp plant to zombie hemp, which looks like it sounds, and bacon. Once they have more money, players can purchase businesses that allow them to transform their harvested hemp into ice cream, textiles, and more. The game has several dozen quests to complete, which reward players with experience points. Levelling up enables players to purchase higher-level hemp plant seeds and items. There are 60 different plant types in all. From an overhead world map, players can move between their grow locations and businesses. 10 businesses are currently in the game.

This version of Hemp Tycoon differs from the original Flash release in a number of ways. For one, the Facebook release features monetization. The Flash version also lacked many of the seed types, boosts, and deco items. New to this version are quests and the businesses which convert hemp into other items for sale. The title has also received a significant visual upgrade for its debut on the social gaming platform.

Hemp Tycoon’s social features include sending friend requests, posting accomplishments to the player’s Wall, and sending gifts to friends. These include free fertilizer, which can be gifted every time the player completes a quest.

Adult Swim is monetizing Hemp Tycoon primarily through the purchase of additional cash, the game’s soft currency, as well as premium boosts. Players can also use the soft currency and Credits to purchase garden decorations.

Though not as explicit in theme, Hemp Tycoon falls under the marijuana-themed game sub-genre of farming sim pioneered by Pot Farm and most recently expanded in Weeds Social Club and Cheech & Chong’s Animated Game. Hemp Tycoon is a lot more like Pot Farm than the latter two because its primary objective is to be funny — compared to the brands driving Weeds and Cheech & Chong. It’s not immediately clear how big of an audience there really is for this sub-genre; however, Pot Farm is still going strong with 550,000 MAU, Weeds enjoys 80,000 MAU, and both Cheech & Chong and Hemp Tycoon currency have 30,000 MAU. At the risk of making a pun, this could be an area of growth on Facebook.

You can follow Hemp Tycoon’s progress using AppData, our traffic tracking service for social games and developers.

The Governor Did What?!

Cultivation of industrial hemp for fiber and for grain in france.


by by STEVE LEVINE
Source: independent.com

Brown Vetoes Industrial Hemp Bill

The Governor of California, who allegedly represents his state and is by law a defender of the state’s medical cannabis industry, has vetoed the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act because he is afraid of federal intervention. It saddens me greatly that half a lifetime ago I revered Governor Jerry Brown as a political hero in the mold of Tom Hayden, Cesar Chavez, and even Robert Kennedy. It’s tragic what time can do to a man, and Jerry Brown is no longer worthy of anything other than pity and anger. He has lost his courage.

Industrial hemp has great promise as a renewable, alternative raw material to petrochemicals in composite and textile products. Its seed, as a food source, is second to none nutritionally. With a perfect balance of omega three and six essential fatty acids, it is a nearly complete, easily digestible protein. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps – an organic, free trade, and progressive company – currently imports 20 tons of hemp oil annually from Canada for use in their soaps. It is their goal to source this hemp oil from hemp grown on American soil. This is the case for many California companies.

Industrial hemp is not capable of producing any kind of high whatsoever, yet our government continues to block re-commercialization of industrial hemp by conflating it with medical marijuana. On October 9, Governor Brown of California used his voice to call the federal ban on industrial hemp farming “absurd” while at the same time hypocritically using his pen to veto the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act. The corporate stranglehold and hysterical drug warriors’ lock on cannabis/hemp policy continues unchecked under President Obama.

In a state that is floundering in a massive debt with high unemployment and, apparently, no leadership, the Governor has vetoed a bill that promised to give jobs to its citizens while growing an eco-industry that is sorely needed in this country. Moreover, it would not have cost the taxpayer a dime! Corporate members of the Hemp Industries Association – including Dr. Bronner’s, Nature’s Path, Nutiva and several others – have pledged to jump in and sponsor this amazing opportunity for California and the entire country at no cost to the government and its citizens. While every product derived from the industrial hemp plant is legal, we are the only industrialized country in the world that does not grow this versatile and durable plant. What the hell is wrong here?

As I see it, our government – state, federal and otherwise – is broken. It has become incumbent upon the people of this country to get involved and take back the freedom and power they have relinquished. This is a good place to start. If you also believe that industrial hemp is a unique plant that can help build a green economy in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, please make yourself heard. For more information on industrial hemp and how to bring it back to our farmers, please go towww.votehemp.com and www.hempindustries.org.

The veto of SB676, the California Hemp Farming Act, borders on treason. It will harm both the citizens and the environment of this country, respectively facing rising unemployment and disastrous global warming. At the very least, this veto by Brown was highly irresponsible and callous.

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “To stay experimentation in things social and economic is a grave responsibility. Denial of the right to experiment may be fraught with serious consequences to the nation. It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.”

It’s up to us now, as it always has been.

Steve Levine is currently president of the Hemp Industries Association and on the Board of Directors of HIA and Vote Hemp. He produced the S.B. Hemp Festival from 1999 to 2007.