Hemp Farming In California Even Closer To Reality

By Johnny Green
Source: theweedblog.com

Assembly Committee on Agriculture Passes SB 676 on a Vote of 6 to 0

We are very happy to report that SB 676, the industrial hemp farming bill, passed out of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on a 6 to 0 vote! We have been able to attend each of the hearings in the Senate and Assembly and do some lobbying, too. Your support for our work has paid off very nicely. Thank you!

There is one more committee hearing yet to come and we are very optimistic that SB 676 will pass the full Assembly and go to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

We have been able to do this thanks to your generous support, but we need your help to reach the finish line. Please like us on Facebook and share our posts with your friends and follow us on Twitter and retweet our posts.

You can also help us by forwarding this email to your friends and family so they can follow our progress and consider making a donation, too. Thank you in advance for all that you do for the cause.

Regards,

Eric Steenstra
President
Vote Hemp

Americas Founding Fathers Loved Hemp

Posted by Johnny Green
Source: theweedblog.com

With the Fourth of July weekend in full swing, I can’t help but reflect on how vital hemp was to the success of this country. There was obviously the goods that were made from it such as rope, clothing fabric, paper, etc. Where would America have been without hemp? Would the literature that hyped up the masses have been as widely distributed? Would the Revolutionary army have been able to use supplies made out of other materials and still won the war? I did some browsing around the internet and found some items that I have included in this article. If you have anything else to add, please do, and let others benefit from your research!

Below is a page from George Washington’s diary, where he gives instructions to his gardener for growing hemp

Look at day 7 (August 7, 1765), it clearly reads “began to separate the male form the female .. bit to late”

Another famous George Washington quote is:

“Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.”

Famous Thomas Jefferson quotes include:

“Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.” -Thomas Jefferson

“Some of my finest hours have been spent sitting on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see.”
-Thomas Jefferson

Of course, Thomas Jefferson also drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper as well.

Benjamin Franklin started the first Hemp paper mill. This allowed America to have its own supply of paper (not from England) for the colonial press. Thomas Paine’s patriotic literature, which helped spark the revolution, was printed on hemp.

City of presidents has its own hemp candidate for 2012

by David Montgomery, Journal Staff
Source: rapidcityjournal.com

Ed Maddox is running for president of the United States as an Independent. Maddox said he doesn't want to be like most politicians. To be different from them, he said he'll tell the truth.

Ed Maddox, industrial hemp advocate (Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff)

Forget Barack Obama, Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin. As the 2012 presidential campaign heats up, a Rapid City man is making an independent run for the highest office in the land.

Ed Maddox, 51, has launched an independent campaign for president. A cook, bartender, security guard and former cab driver, Maddox knows independents have a dismal record at winning the presidency; arguably, only George Washington, the first president, was elected without being affiliated with a political party.

But Maddox is taking his campaign seriously and plans to raise money and to campaign in all 50 states.

"We're in a nation where people have their own way of thinking," Maddox said. "In other nations, the leaders tell the people what to do. Here in America, we have a free-thought process. I hope that people take me seriously."

Even if Maddox's effort falls short, he hopes his campaign will draw attention to his primary issue: industrial hemp.

"My platform is roughly industrial hemp for the rebirth of our industrial nation," Maddox said. "Industrial hemp is a 90-day crop. That makes for a lot of turnover. Turnover produces more cash. Cash flow helps people in the agricultural industry, as well as this incredible debt that our nation has at the moment."

He says he wants to educate people about hemp and dispel "the impression that hemp is a product that is psychoactive."

"There's absolutely no THC content in industrial hemp," Maddox said.

While he jokes that "I did inhale," Maddox said he isn't pushing for drug legalization, citing the voters' firm rejection the last time they saw an initiated measure to legalize medical marijuana.

Maddox says so far, hemp is his only real issue. He plans to develop a full platform later and has firm feelings on some of the major issues of the day.

"I think it would be more important that our military protect our soil than it would be to protect the soil of other nations," he said. "We wouldn't lose one person to a military battle if we protected our soil."

Maddox has gotten advice from another South Dakotan with experience running as an independent: B. Thomas Marking, who received 6 percent of the vote in a three-way race for U.S. House last fall.

"He was a member of my campaign group and helped me out whenever he could," Marking said. "I want to encourage him taking on something that big. I had a hard enough time just working on the state level as an independent."

Marking said raising money was by far the greatest challenge he faced running as an independent.

"If you don't have the money to get up and use the media the way the major parties can, it's tough to compete on an equal basis," he said.

In a country where the 2008 election saw close to $2 billion in campaign spending by presidential candidates, Maddox knows he is going to face difficulty getting his message out. He hopes to get financial support from other supporters of industrial hemp throughout the country.

Maddox comes to the presidential race from an unorthodox background. Although most of the major candidates for the 2012 election have experience as members of Congress, governors or business leaders, Maddox has bounced around.

He spent more than a dozen years taking classes at community colleges but never received a degree, ultimately graduating from high school with a GED. He studied practical subjects such as welding and automotive mechanics, as well as general subjects including English.

A Texas native, Maddox spent years as a cab driver, where he had an encounter that he says planted the idea of running for president in his head.

While carrying a carload of Secret Service agents away from a hotel where an ex-president was staying, Maddox pulled forward at the wrong time and found himself surrounded by other agents with guns drawn.

"That incident made me think about how well protected ... the president of our nation is," he said. "I thought that was a really neat position."

Maddox has been married and divorced four times and has four adult children. His most recent marriage brought Maddox from Texas to the Black Hills.

"I met a young lady online, and we got married," Maddox said. He moved here to be with his wife, and despite their recent divorce, he plans to stay.

"It's beautiful here," Maddox said. "It's a presidential city."

When not working or campaigning, Maddox likes to camp, collect old cars, golf -- and cultivate his impressive beard. He is the vice president of the local Beard and Moustache Society.

In the few weeks Maddox has been campaigning, he says he has received a positive reception.

"I introduce myself as Ed Maddox, candidate for president, and I tell them what my single issue is at the moment. That seems to be something that the people are interested in," he said. "Even travelers that I don't know have been responsive to my talking to them."

As the 2012 election nears, Maddox says he is focused on doing what it takes to be competitive.

"Right now, there's 174 (independent) people that have signed up to become candidates for the next election," he said. "Out of those, the serious will emerge. The others will fall by the wayside. It should end up being six to eight people at the beginning of (2012), and I hope to be one of those candidates."

Contact David Montgomery at 394-8329 or david.montgomery@rapidcityjournal.com

Physician group advocates for plant-based diet (including hemp seed and hemp oil)

By Linda Ann Chomin
Correspondent
Source: hometownlife.com

Caroline Trapp had already toyed with the idea of becoming a vegetarian by the time she picked up on of Dr. Neal Barnard's books. As founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), he has promoted a plant-based diet and conducted clinical research on its ability to prevent and reverse heard disease, diabetes and cancer since 1985.


One of his studies found that although the standard American Diabetes Association effectively treats the disease, plant-based, low fat meals dramatically reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in addition to promoting weight loss. 


Barnard has written several books on topics that include reversing diabetes with a diet of grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. His recent book, 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart, promises to boost metabolism, lower cholesterol and dramatically improve health. 


Trapp had health concerns when she learned about PCRM while attending a nursing conference. She had ordered a vegetarian plate and “was surprised by how good it tasted.” Shortly after, she started e-mailing Barnard who invited her to spend a day at the PCRM office in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit organization provides educational materials as well as diabetic and Cancer Project cooking classes aimed at prevention. 


“It gave me confidence to talk to my patients about type 2 diabetes. I suddenly realized I was not alone,” said Trapp, a nurse practitioner at Premier Internists in Southfield. 


Before long, Barnard invited her to teach curriculum he was using and then offered her a full time position as director of diabetes education and care in 2007. 


“Patients are coming to the practice because they've heard of the intensive lifestyle change,” said Trapp. “Blood sugars have gone from 300 and 400 to 100. Diabetes medications prolong people's agony. It's not a cure and has known side effects. We have to use what is known about nutrition. One major concern is fat and animal protein. 


“Everybody is clear that dietary fat is linked to heart disease, but also insulin resistance. Dairy foods are high in fat, with a speck of calcium in a package full of hormones, injected and natural, and antibiotics which are increasing antibiotics resistance in humans,” explained Trapp. 


Trapp has done research to back up her claims. These facts were presented in her written testimony for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry field hearing May 31, at Michigan State University.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29.6 percent of Michigan's population is obese and some 9 percent are suffering from type 2 diabetes. A recent study estimated that between 1998 and 2000 obesity-related diseases cost Michigan nearly $3 billion in health care expenses. More than 60 percent of all deaths in the U.S. are from diseases linked to unhealthy diet: heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, liver disease, and high blood pressure. 


Diabetes prevalence will increase to 1 in 3 adults by 2050, compared to approximately 1 in 10 today. Approximately one-third of children born in 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetimes. Research has shown that meat and dairy consumption significantly increases diabetes risk. An estimated 70 percent of colorectal and prostate cancers and 50 percent of breast, endometrial, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancer are diet-related. 


While Trapp came to her decision to eat a plant-based diet strictly based on health concerns, she says, “it's very gratifying that the way I eat doesn't support cruelty to animals and environmental pollution, the amount of oil it takes to get food to your plate, what it takes to produce a hamburger.” She has a problem with eating fish as well.


“As a health care professional I developed recognition of the bigger picture,” said Trapp. “A good example is fish. Fish get Omega 3 fatty acids from eating plants. Humans can get Omega 3 from eating walnuts, flax seed, hemp milk, and green, leafy vegetables. “Fish is full of saturated fat. Salmon is 50 percent fat.” Fishing impacts the environment, too, said Trapp. “The oceans have been so over-fished they have to go further and further out. How much oil does it take to fish?”

Rope: The original multi-tool

BY DAVE BROWN, THE OTTAWA CITIZEN
Source: ottawacitizen.com

With summer camping ahead of you, there's absolutely one item you shouldn't be without. The rope.

Ask any outdoor enthusiast what they bring on their outdoor camping trips, and they'll tell you a rope is must. It can assist you in countless ways you're sure to appreciate. Let's unspool a deeper look.

HISTORY

Ropes have been used for hunting, pulling, fastening, carrying and climbing. They were even used during prehistoric times. Originally plant fibres or vines would have acted as ropes, but as far back as 28,000 years ago there is evidence of twisting and braiding techniques. As the years progressed, it appears the early Egyptians were the first civilization to develop special rope-making tools. The use of such ropes pulled by thousands of workers allowed the Egyptians to move the heavy stones required to build their monuments. Around 2800 B.C., rope made of hemp fibres was used in China, and, ropemaking spread throughout Asia, India and Europe over the next several thousand years. 

MATERIALS

Most of the time, when using rope for a practical purpose the type of rope doesn't much matter. Except for certain specialty applications, like climbing or sailing - which required specially made ropes - you can generally use any rope for numerous applications.

When shopping, you can choose from natural or synthetic fibres.

Natural ropes are generally softer and more pliable than synthetic ropes and often more esthetically pleasing. However, as much as these natural fibre ropes hold knots very well, they also wear out much faster than synthetic ropes.

Natural fibres commonly used today include: cotton (like clothesline rope, soft and pliable); sisal (bristly and splintery, less costly, but may be stiff and develop kinks); and hemp (the strongest of natural ropes with good flex, it is soft and pliable but can decay quickly).

Synthetic ropes come in a wide variety of sizes, colours and constructions. They are strength-rated so you can tell how much load they can take before breaking. However, many synthetic ropes are very slippery, have trouble holding knots, and are usually stiffer than natural ropes. Synthetic fibres commonly used today include: nylon (the first synthetic fibre used to make ropes and is stretchy, pliable, and strong, but weakens when wet); polyethylene or polyester (similar to nylon, but maintains strength when wet); and polypropylene (good for waterrelated purposes).

PRACTICAL USES

Here's a list of uses where a rope can be used to make your hiking or camping easier:

Hanging food: When camping, you always want to hang your food about 30 metres downwind from your campsite. A good polyester rope is perfect if you're tying your food up to keep it out of a bear's reach. It's strong and abrasion resistant for hoisting the food over branches.

Clothesline: If you're on a multiday camping trip you'll probably have to wash your clothes at least once if you want to maintain any semblance of friendship. Just tie both ends of a rope to two trees and you'll be able to safely hang anything and everything on the line.

Shelter: A sturdy nylon rope will allow for some give when your tarp is weighted down by water or snow. As well, tie the rope between two trees and lay your tarp over top. Secure the edges to the ground and you have a makeshift A-frame tent.

Travel aid: If somebody in your group is having troubles navigating challenging terrain or crossing a stream, a rope comes in handy. Send out a confident member to lead the way, and have them secure the rope when they reach the others side. All the followers can then grab hold of the rope for support.

Backpacking: Consider a polypropylene rope for its light weight and low cost.

Towing Device: When you have something heavy to haul or move, tie the rope around the object and get the team organized to pull together. If you're cross-country skiing, it's a solution when towing a sled of gear.

Tie downs: If you're tying your canoe or kayaks to the roof of your car you want a rope that's both strong and resistant to abrasion. A polyester rope will do the trick.

So, when you're camping this summer, remember that if you find yourself in a dire situation, having a rope with you is better than none. Whether you're tying a tourniquet, building a raft or stretcher, or rappelling down a cliff face, you'll be happy you brought a rope.

Dave Brown is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine - www.ottawaoutdoors.ca. To comment e-mail Brown at editor@ ottawaoutdoors.ca.

Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson in 'Hempsters'

By (no author listed)
Source: celebstoner.com


Top CelebStoners Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson make a strong case for legalizing the industrial cousin of cannabis in Hempsters. Director Michael Henning combines interviews and archival footage to tell the story of hemp's continued prohibition. Watch the trailer below

The main focus is Harrelson and the Lakota Sioux, both of whom got into trouble for planting hemp in the '90s. Harrelson's case took place in his home state of Kentucky, where we meet perennial gubernatorial candidate Gatewood  Galbraith and farmers like Joe Hickey and Craig Lee. Harrelson eventually wins his case.

The Lakota of Pine Ridge in South Dakota are not so lucky. After deciding by tribal law to separate marijuana from hemp, Alex White Plume and others planted large fields of hemp on the rez, only to have them eradicated each time by the DEA. "The hemp plants are sort of like the Lakota," he offers philosophically. "No matter how hard you try to kill them, the harder they come back."

Nelson says about hemp: "There's a reason that the powers that be put that plant here and to eradicate it from all over the plant is not exactly what the big guy had in mind, if you know what I mean. He put it in there and why should we take it out? It's a useful crop that grows organically out of the soil. Check it out!"

The third compelling story in Hempsters is Julia Butterfly Hill's. The redwoods activist who lived in a tree for two years in Humboldt County is seen in footage high atop the California old-growth forest - or what's left of it anyway - and on the ground, where she insists, "Hemp isn't the alternative, hemp is the solution."

Jack Herer, author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, who the film is dedicated to, would be proud. Clips from Hemp for Victory, Reefer Madness and Family Guy,  and songs by Nelson ("We Don't Run") and Austin's Asylum Street Spankers ("We're Winning the War on Drugs") fill out this effective doc from Cinema Libre Studio. 

 

American will be first cyclist to ride a vegan Tour de France

By Guy Adams in Los Angeles

Thursday, 30 June 2011

David Zabriskie has hit good form before the Tour

The substances consumed by a professional cyclist usually make headlines for all the wrong reasons, but when America's David Zabriskie pedals away from the starting line of the Tour de France this weekend, he will also be commencing a unique nutritional experiment.

For the first time in the 108-year history of his sport's most gruelling event, Zabriskie, who announced his conversion to veganism at the end of last year, says he will attempt to complete the 2,200-mile, three-week race without consuming any meat, eggs or dairy products.

It's a challenge because cyclists on the Tour need to consume roughly 8,000 calories a day. They have traditionally scoffed large portions of meat in order to replace lost protein, which helps muscle recovery. Animal products also replace missing iron, which produces haemoglobin that helps transport oxygen around the body.

Zabriskie, who is six foot tall and weighs just over 10 stone, began experimenting with his diet last season, after a blood test carried out by his team chiropractor revealed that he was highly sensitive to certain types of food. During last year's tour, he began cutting down on meat, believing that it required too much energy to digest.

Shortly afterwards, he stopped consuming milk and cheese, and was pleased with the results. During the off season, which began in October, he decided that it was time to "make some major changes" to his lifestyle, and announced he would be becoming a vegan.

Since then Zabriskie claims to have been in some of the best form of his career, a fact he attributes directly to the new diet. "I think a lot of people see food in terms of whether it's going to make them fat or make them skinny," he told yesterday's Wall Street Journal. "I'm seeing food in terms of how it's going to make me think and will it give me clarity."

He added that his overall health has improved, and that minor ailments, including canker sores and a saddle rash he suffered from persistently, have all begun to clear up. Even his eyesight has sharpened, he told the newspaper.

Zabriskie has adopted the new diet for reasons of health, rather than animal welfare, so he takes a pragmatic approach to some of the demands of a true vegan lifestyle. In a move which might disappoint purists, he has decided to "cheat" by eating small portions of salmon twice a week during the Tour, to increase his ability to absorb iron.

The other secret of his daily diet is a special brand of vegan energy shake, which contains hefty portions of hemp seeds, flax seeds, and protein from brown rice. He began drinking them after suffering from low energy levels earlier this season, and now consumes at least four a day.

That has been enough to keep his physique more muscular than the vegan stereotype. But although Zabriskie's animal-friendly diet may be relatively common in his native Los Angeles, it still stands out in professional cycling, where protein shakes tend to be infused with raw egg whites.

His employers, the Garmin-Cervelo team, admit they were initially concerned by Zabriskie's vegan diet. Team director, Jonathan Vaughters, insisted he ate extra portions of leafy greens, such as spinach, and took regular blood tests to monitor his level of ferritin, the protein that stores iron.

Their fears dissipated when he hit a run of good form, winning the time trial during this year's Tour of California and then coming first in the US national time trial championships.

On paper, Zabriskie still does not have much chance of winning the Tour de France, which he has entered five times and completed three times. But he did win the time trial in 2005 and hopes to replicate that feat.

Mr Vaughters said: "The proof is in the pudding... He's won more time trials this year than he has in his career." The next three weeks, he added, would be "the ultimate test of the vegan diet".

Dishes of the day

It is not the average daily intake, but needing up to 8,000 calories a day and without meat, this is the Zabriskie diet during the Tour de France.

Breakfast...

...is not exactly for a king, with oatmeal with molasses. Nuts, cinnamon and a couple of tablespoons of coconut butter are part of the mix, along with an apple, and hemp seeds.

On the bike...

...Zabriskie will eat vegan bars, gels and shots and up to eight bottles of special race drink.

After the race...

...and before dinner, Zabriskie will eat white rice with maple syrup and cinnamon. Protein drinks will be eaten before dinner along with goji berries.

And for dinner...

...Rice or pasta will be accompanied by salad and vegetables, with a vegan shake and fresh fruit before bed.