Virginia Tech to research production, use, and economic impact of industrial hemp

Source: augustafreepress.com

Virginia Tech will be able to begin research on growing industrial hemp in the commonwealth as a result of a new state law and the establishment of an industrial hemp research program by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The bill Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed into law on Monday states that Virginia institutions of higher education can grow industrial hemp for research purposes. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will issue the growing licenses. The law does not take effect until July 1.

“We look forward to working with our partners across the state to undertake research that has the potential to bring a new crop to Virginia’s already robust agricultural portfolio,” said Alan Grant, dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Although we are only in the beginning stages of establishing this program, our research abilities, when combined with Virginia Cooperative Extension and our Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, can help this new initiative grow and benefit the state.”

Hemp has a long history in Virginia dating back to the 1600s, when the law stated that Jamestown farmers must grow it because the fiber’s many uses were so vital to the colony. In the colonial era, farmers could pay their taxes with hemp.

Fourteen states have established industrial hemp programs and are exploring how the plant can boost economic development. United States retail sales of hemp-based products could exceed $300 million annually, according to industry reports. Most of the 55,700 metric tons of hemp produced around the world comes from China, Russia, South Korea, so this program provides an opportunity for Virginia to enter a global market.

Some questions about Virginia Tech’s role in this new program are answered below.

What is industrial hemp? Industrial hemp is plant that has many beneficial uses. It is a non-psychoactive, low-THC variety of the plant Cannabis sativa that has absolutely no use as a recreational drug and is genetically different from marijuana. The law states that all industrial hemp must be tested to ensure it contains an amount of THC that is less than what is allowed under federal law.

What are some of the potential uses of industrial hemp that Virginia Tech may explore? 
Industrial hemp is considered a dual-purpose crop and is grown for both fiber and oil. Its seed oil has the potential as an alternative energy source and as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals. It can also be used as cooking oil and in snacks. Hemp fiber is used in clothing, rope, construction materials, carpeting, and in the automobile industry. Beyond production and processing, the university may also explore the economics of hemp production and how it may benefit the commonwealth.

When will Virginia Tech begin research on industrial hemp and what will it study? 
Virginia Tech will work with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish research and demonstration test plots. Inputs will be sought from the industry regarding research needs and priorities. Although details are still being worked out, including the identification of research funding sources, industrial hemp test plots could be established in the 2016 growing season.

Researchers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will be able to evaluate optimum soil, climate, and fertility conditions for hemp production in the commonwealth, as well as assess harvesting methods, and develop new applications for industrial hemp. Economic and marketing issues such as the global industrial hemp market, industry partnerships, and domestic processing technologies may also be examined.

Virginia Tech will work with other commonwealth higher education research institutions interested in the project.

Where will the research plots be located? Virginia offers different climates that may be suitable for growing industrial hemp. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will work within its network of 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, along with researchers at the Blacksburg campus, Virginia State University, and Virginia Cooperative Extension, to evaluate optimum soil, climate, and production conditions for industrial hemp production.

The new legislation states that research and demonstration plots may be located on university research farms or suitable private land where producers have secured the appropriate permits from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and have written agreements with the universities. These details are being developed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

How can local producers be part of the program? Producers interested in becoming part of the research and demonstration program must first get a permit from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and have written agreements with the universities. These details are still be developed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Anyone growing industrial hemp must follow regulations stipulated in the law and must allow research to be conducted at approved pilot sites.

Proposed bill focuses on (Alaska) hemp industry framework

By Matt Buxton
Source: newsminer.com

JUNEAU — It’s unclear whether Alaska would be a prime candidate for growing industrial hemp, but a bill in the Legislature could help figure that out.

Senate Bill 8 by Anchorage Democratic Sen. Johnny Ellis proposes to establish the regulatory framework and research needed to allow hemp industry to gain a foothold in the state. The bill was heard in the Senate Resources Committee on Friday afternoon.

Because of recent changes in federal law, industrial hemp pilot projects and production have launched in 19 states, according to a representative from the National Conference of State Legislatures who testified.

Senate Bill 8 aims to take advantage of greater federal leniency to set up state regulations for the industry, including licensing of hemp growers and clarifies that hemp is separate from the recently legalized marijuana.

Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant. While marijuana has high levels of the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, industrial hemp normally is defined as effectively without THC and is popular for a variety of non-drug uses. Senate Bill 8 would require industrial hemp to have less than 0.3 percent THC.

Both Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and Alaska Farm Bureau Board President Bryce Wrigley testified in support of industrial hemp.

Wrigley said the Alaska Farm Bureau has come out in favor of the bill, but said he has yet to hear of anyone who’s seriously considering growing it.

“It’s largely dependent on whether we can grow it to maturity or not,” he said.

Wrigley added industrial hemp is a prime opportunity to utilize the agricultural research and testing capabilities of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He suggested the yet-to-be-proved industry could benefit from university involvement.

“This early in the game it would be helpful, rather than passing seeds out to whoever is interested in growing it and having a slipshod approach,” he said.

DeVilbiss doubted there would be a wide commercial potential, but said it likely would have a niche appeal that could help diversify Alaska’s agricultural economy.

“I think there is potential. My personal opinion is there isn’t above average commercial potential but there’s the niche value,” he said. “There are people who swear by it.”

While the bill appeared to generally have support from committee members, one raised concerns about the cost of implementing the program.

“We have to be very cautious about what we get into and the potential costs to the departments,” said Sen. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak. “This isn’t the finance committee, but we have to look at all aspects.”

Both the city of Fairbanks City Council and the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly passed resolutions that were included in the support documents for Senate Bill 8.

The committee took testimony in support of the bill and held the bill over for continued testimony next week.

Contact staff writer Matt Buxton at 549-7544. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMpolitics.

Hemp oil company potential alternative for cannabidoil patients

By Kate Padilla
Source: spencerdailyreporter.com

In the aftermath of the Medical Cannabidoil Act, many families with children or other family members with intractable epilepsy are working through the process of getting the cannabidoil treatment that may have an effect in treating seizures. Of the oils that have been most effective, Charlotte's Web is the most well-known, developed by the Stanley Brothers in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

But a Des Moines company, Heartland Hemp, claims it may have a more attainable solution. Because their product is made from hemp, not cannabis, it is legal under federal and state law and is not affected the Medical Cannabidoil Act.

Boris Shcharansky, the CEO of Heartland Hemp, said his work recently has primarily involved sitting down with families and talking about his product and the deluge of information and opinion regarding hemp oil and cannabis oil as a medicinal product.

"I'm not here to heavily market a hemp extract," he said. "It's not necessarily my primary basis."

Heartland Hemp is approaching the hemp industry from several angles. Shcheransky noted he sits down with people, offers them information and answers questions they have regarding hemp CBD (cannabidoil) and cannabis oil. He also wants to generate support for reintroducing hemp as an agricultural crop in Iowa.

"It used to grow here," he said. "We want to build a grass roots effort and eventually get the support of the Farm Bureau for an industrial hemp bill in 2016."

Locally, Mike Heuck, who was active in the push for the Medical Cannabidoil Act last year and whose daughter faces daily challenges with intractable epilepsy, noted he and his family are "cautious."

"We are proceeding with caution," he said. "When it comes to this industry, the Stanley Brothers are seen as cutting-edge, and so far we've been working with them."

In the last week, Heuck noted he and his family received the Iowa Cannabidoil cards they needed in order to legally possess the product in Iowa. He said in the next month, his daughter will be ready to move forward with the next step of the process.

The journey to this point, however, has not necessarily been clear-cut.

"At first, you had to be a Colorado resident in order to get the oil," he said. "It's not hard, and I actually went out last summer and established myself as a Colorado resident. Then they were requesting tax forms for proof of employment in the state. We also needed a medical ID card that we didn't have yet. Then, all of a sudden, we get an email saying you no longer need the card, and then another email saying they can ship the product to you."

Three children are currently part of a formal study of a pharmaceutical-grade form of Charlotte's Web, overseen by the neurologist at the University of Iowa, who also agreed to work with Heuck's daughter. Informally, some of the other children this neurologist is working with will also be closely monitored, and their results recorded for future reference.

Heuck is also cautious, he admitted, because of the potential legal ramifications.

"Last summer a woman was arrested after giving Charlotte's Web to her daughter, in another state," he said. "The girl was doing so well, and the teacher asked what the difference was. It was unfortunate."

Because of that situation, he noted parents in the epilepsy community are more hesitant to share the results of similar treatments for their own children.

"We want to share as much as possible," he said. "But we are cautious. I can say there are things we're working on, and we have been talking with other families who have ordered the oil."

Any treatment, be it Charlotte's Web or another hemp oil, will have to be slowly integrated into his daughter's already intensive regimen.

"It will be a slow process for us," he said. "It could take a year. That's why we wanted to work with the neurologist, because her body's been on these other medications for 12 years. You can't just completely stop one over here and start one over there. You have to ease into it. But I'm anxious to try something. If we do get something going we want to be able to share that information with other parents."

The Medical Cannabidoil Act currently has a 2017 expiration date, and Heuck said he hopes "something has happened on the federal level" by then.

"Or something more permanent with the state, so it doesn't completely go away," he said.

Shcharansky said he is continuing efforts to work with families to gather information before deciding which course of treatment is right for them.

"There's a lot of misinformation out there," he said. "I understand, especially for a family with a child with a condition like this, a treatment of this nature could be completely life-changing. There are a lot of decisions involved."

The high life: Relive the seventies with this smoky fashion trend

By ODESSA PALOMA PARKER
Source: theglobeandmail.com

Style really has gone to pot this season. Marijuana motifs have sprouted up on luxe items of all sorts, including Jacquie Aiche’s snakeskin ganga clutch and Lucien Pellat Finet’s rainbow-leaf cashmere sweater. 

Blame fashion’s current fixation on all things seventies. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna have also played a part in positioning reefer as a style meme: The former has been photographed in sativa-inspired earrings and boots; the latter’s look often includes a nod to her smoky pastime (for instance, the Raf Simons sweatshirt she was recently snapped in). 

Even The Body Shop’s latest Soap On A Rope, made from hemp-seed oil, comes in a cheeky, weedy shape. Turning over a new leaf, it seems, has never been more fashionable (or less controversial).

Laetitia Leaf earring, 289 € through www.hippiedreamers.com.

Camomoto Cannabis Blue gift wrap, $15 U.S. per roll throughwww.spoonflower.com.

(AKM-GSI/Splash News/Corbis)

Rihanna sports a Raf Simons sweatshirt in New York earlier this month.

Lucien Pellat Finet Intarsia Leaf sweater, $5,922 through www.farfetch.com.

Hemp Soap On A Rope, $10 at The Body Shop (www.thebodyshop.ca).

Sweet Leaf clutch, $2,523 through www.jacquieaiche.com.

Flower Power Twist ring, $530 U.S. through www.artyouthsociety.com.

Stubbs & Wootton Cannabis slippers, $315 throughwww.stubbsandwootton.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlobeStyle

Vega Biofuels to produce bio-coal using industrial hemp as feedstock

Source: energy-business-review.com

Vega Biofuels has partnered with Vencor International to produce green energy bio-coal using industrial hemp as feedstock.

The company currently produces bio-coal, a green energy alternative to traditional coal, using timber waste as feedstock.

With a high energy density of up to 13,000 BTUs/lb, the company's bio-coal is said to comply with the renewable portfolio standards and renewable energy credits (RECs) in the US.

Under the latest deal, Vencor will supply bio-coal samples made using industrial hemp.

Vega will test the samples for ash, sulphur and volatile content, and fixed carbon and BTU content, to evaluate if it qualifies as bio-coal.

Vega Biofuels chairman and CEO Michael Molen said: "With the explosion of the cannabis industry in the US, industrial hemp could very quickly become an extremely valuable agricultural commodity.

"We anticipate that the testing will be positive and that we will be able to show that bio-coal can be manufactured from industrial hemp plants."

A variety of Cannabis sativa, Hemp belongs to the same plant species as marijuana.

Industrial hemp varies genetically and is distinguished by its chemical characteristics. It has been used as a non-drug compound to produce industrial and other goods in the US.

Olivia Wilde shows sustainable style with Conscious Exclusive at H&M

By MST Lifestyle
Source: manilastandardtoday.com

H&M’s new Conscious Exclusive collection is proof of the fashion that can be created with more sustainable materials, using fabrics such as hemp, organic linen and organic leather to create pieces of great individual style. The collection, worn in the campaign exclusively by actress and humanitarian Olivia Wilde, will be available in around 200 H&M stores worldwide on April 16, as well as online.

This year’s Conscious Exclusive collection takes its inspiration from around the planet and focuses on the versatility of the dress. An organic linen and silk sleeveless gown with a glamorous cut is printed with hand-drawn images of birds. A black cocktail dress inTencel® and recycled wool features African influences, with rows of recycled sequins. Meanwhile, a sleeveless cocktail dress has a print inspired by Japanese ink-wash painting, and is made from organic hemp, organic silk and organic cotton.

Each piece in the collection is special, whether it’s the pilot jacket in Tencel®, reverse-like jacquard fabric with threads intentionally left loose, or the organic silk tuxedo blazer with sleeves slashed to the elbow to create a dramatic effect.

The use of more sustainable materials is varied and comprehensive, from the recycled beads on a flapper dress to the organic leather appearing in a minimalist leather jacket and stack-heeled sandals.

“I love the Conscious Exclusive collection at H&M, both for the look, and also for its ethics. This is how all fashion should be: great style that’s naturally more sustainable,” says Olivia Wilde.

 “I love the global influences in this Conscious Exclusive collection and the beauty of the hand-drawn prints, made by one of our talented in-house designers. And Olivia Wilde is the perfect choice for this collection, because she shares H&M’s commitment to a more sustainable future,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor H&M.

One perspective on cannabis prohibition

By Lindianne Sarno
Source: homernews.com

I write on March 16, 2015, 20 days since Alaska’s prohibition ended. As a Christian I am pondering biblical references to cannabis and persecution. After a persecution ends, a nation asks: What happened? Was I complicit? Did I cause harm? Was I harmed?

We persecuted know: innocent people were harmed. We who survived became a strong people. We became loyal, courageous, discreet, compassionate, and forgiving. We forgave — or we died of grief and anger. We are the cannabis nation. The war against us was a war against the American family, and historically, the American family farm.

Before the prohibition of cannabis, before 1933, we see a peaceable people, a nation powered by cannabis. Millions of physicians treated arthritis patients with cannabis oil (the concentrates some misguided Alaskan legislators are still trying to ban). Millions of peaceful agriculturists grew hemp for sails and mooring lines, fishing nets and sacks.  Millions of homesteaders went west with sacks of hempseed to provide medicine, home spun cloth and seed oil.  Henry Ford’s car was designed to run on hemp oil.

After 1933, prohibition began to ruin America’s popular economy: millions of farmers were forbidden to grow hemp, a vitally important crop. After that death blow, big chemical and petroleum interests increasingly dominated American agricultural colleges, and bankers and real estate developers moved in to take American farmland.  

In the 1960s and 1970s, my generation said yes to weed and no to war. Tens of millions of us recognized the good herb cannabis and chose to grow, possess, study, medicate and recreate with this useful herb. For refusing to obey an ignorant, greedy, destructive prohibition, we were persecuted.  

The holocaust continues to this day in unfortunate jurisdictions. Millions in prison, hundreds of thousands of growers ruined, farms confiscated, crops stolen, families torn, lives derailed.  

Our growers are our heroes. They risked their lives and lands to grow the herb for millions of smokers, including more than 50 percent of my class at Princeton, and sufferers from chemotherapy who used the herb to combat nausea.

Our growers are serving life sentences in prisons to this day eating a deathly industrial diet. They did nothing wrong. They harmed no one, intended no ill to anyone. All these innocents should be released, immediately. They resisted an unjust prohibition, and they should be honored, not treated like criminals.

Ah, but that would require federal and state governments to admit they were wrong, and ask forgiveness for the harms they caused. Seem unlikely? It could happen, if the nation’s Christians spoke in the name of Jesus to their legislators and judges and prosecutors.

If the government apologized, cannabis nation would say, we forgive you. There would be no talk of revenge.  There would be no lawsuits. We have spent enough time in your courts. Cannabis teaches compassion, tolerance and the peaceable way.  

It’s true that greedy people plundered the innocent.  Prison became big business. Corrupt courts, private prisons, cops’ wives grooming confiscated bud to sell on the black market: it was a dirty war carried out by self-righteous merciless personalities. Young prosecutors were hired right from law school and taught to make war on innocent civilians. Don’t arrest the Ivy Leaguers or the rich. Go after the poor, the brown, the black, and those strangely dressed hippies.

Cannabis nation says to law enforcement, legislators and government officials: We forgive you, but henceforth we expect you to leave us alone. Stop persecuting us. Get out of our homes, off our farms, away from our grows, out of our doctors’ offices, out of our schools, stop stealing our crop and selling it, let us all out of prison, stop bothering our youth on the roads.  

And when you get alone with Jesus or God, you might ask Him how you can make up for the harm you did. You would be amazed how much joy and relief can flow from saying, I’m sorry I hurt you, will you forgive me?

A persecution is a Biblical event. The Bible is full of persecutions, culminating in Jesus, who suffered persecution unto death. He said nothing to his accusers.  When the soldiers nailed him to the cross, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The Alaska persecution is over. The federal persecution will soon end. It’s time for Alaskans  to reflect on mercy and compassion.  It’s time to free the innocent. Let them return to their families and communities. Let histories be written.

Homer author and composer Lindianne Sarno can be contacted at truthjusticereconciliation@gmail.com.