Archive for the ‘Industrial Hemp’ Category

Deluxe Hemp Backpack - $92.00
Retail Price: $102.00
You Save: $10.00

Deluxe Hemp Backpack - $92.00
This hard wearing stylish hemp rucksack goes were ever you go and will carry your gear with the peace of mind only Sativa can deliver.

This functional Sativa hemp rucksack delivers great comfort and durability. Fits A4 size folders and is ideal for general work use as well as being suited for outdoor use. The adjustable shoulder straps make sure you're firmly fixed in, with absolute comfort. Lots of useful compartments to provide you with that extra storage we all need. Use the Sativa key holder to provide quick and easy access to your keys and keep your Sativa bag interior in pristine condition. Use the Sativa key holder to provide quick and easy access to your keys and keep your Sativa bag interior in pristine condition and just for fun we've decided to make your keys stand out by throwing in one of our cool Sativa Key Rings.

Five (5) Colors: Grey, Ice, Khaki, Plum and Steel Blue

Dimensions: 17" tall x 16" wide x 6" deep
Weight: 36 ounces or 2 lbs 4 ounces

Features:
- Two Side Pockets and one main Front Pocket
- Secured by push locks under buckle
- Adjustable Shoulder Straps

Special Feature
- Sativa Key Holder
- Zipper feature
- Sativa Key Ring

Not Suitable for Vegans - Contains Repurposed Leather Trimmings

Hemp is one of the most durable natural fibres that exists and has very high tensile strength. Hemp softens with use and yet remains hard-wearing. Hemp fabrics dye very effectively and retain colour well over time. Hemp garments "breathe", due the porous nature of the fibres, so that hemp cloth stays cooler in warm weather while at the same time retaining heat in cooler weather as body heat warms air trapped in the fibres. Hemp clothing naturally stops up to 95% of the sun?s harmful UV light, while being 5 times as strong as cotton; coupled with its strong anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, this makes the fabric a natural choice for hospitals and surgical applications. Hemp has good resistance to mould and is fire-retardant. Hemp is good for the environment.

T.H.C. Tour

(Talking Hemp, Cannabis and Drug Policy Reform)

Wednesday December 7th, 2011

5:00 – 8:00pm

University Wisconsin Oshkosh

Reeve Union – 748 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Featured presenters and information covering the topics of industrial hemp, medical cannabis, addiction cures, recreational marijuana and drug policy reform.

Featured Presenters/Exhibitors:

Scheduled     Activist Presenting and Subject Matter

Introduction   Mike Klotz: Introduction

5:05 – 5:10:   Ben Plunkett:  Voting 101 and Electoral Participation

5:10 – 5:20:   Tristan:  Veterans Still In Battle With the War on Drugs

5:20 – 5:35:   Jeffrey Smith: Industrial Hemp; Good for the Economy, Good for You.

5:35 – 5:50:   Mark McNamee:  Medical Cannabis Refugee/Tax Plan Advocate

5:50 – 6 :15:  Rich Martin:  Cannabis Law Reform, Not What You May Think

6:15 – 6:30:   Jacob Sieg:  Surviving an Illness, Surviving a Raid

6:30 – 7:00:   Dana Beal:  The Cure For Addiction

7:00 – 8:00:   James Gierach:  Drug Policy Reform

For a printable pdf of the schedule that may also be used as a flyer, use the following link: http://www.northernwinorml.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/THCTOURUW-Oshkosh.pdf

Further Details: Contact Executive Director Rich Martin at 920-931-4207 or visit www.NorthernWiNORML.org/contact/

 

Rep. Ron Paul Introduces H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act, on Heels of Successful Second Annual Hemp History Week

Senate Bill In Support of Industrial Hemp Farming Expected to Follow

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the fourth time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States over 50 years ago, a federal bill was introduced on May 11, which if passed, will remove restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis. The chief sponsor, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter last week seeking support for H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011. H.R. 1831 is almost identical to H.R. 1866, which was introduced in the 111th Congress in 2009.

"We are pleased to see the re-introduction of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in Congress. Vote Hemp is currently working with a Democratic Senator who is preparing to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in support of industrial hemp farming," says Vote Hemp President, Eric Steenstra. "It is due time for the Senate as well as President Obama and the Attorney General to prioritize the crop's benefits to farmers and to take action like Rep. Paul and the cosponsors of H.R. 1831 have done. With the U.S. hemp industry valued at over $400 million in annual retail sales and growing, a change in federal policy to allow hemp farming would mean instant job creation, among many other economic and environmental benefits," adds Steenstra.

U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a California company that manufactures the number-one-selling natural soap in the U.S. as well as best-selling hemp food manufacturers, such as French Meadow Bakery, Living Harvest, Manitoba Harvest, Nature's Path, Nutiva and Sequel Naturals who make their products from hemp grown in Canada. Sustainable hemp seed, fiber and oil are also used by major companies such as Ford Motors, Patagonia and The Body Shop.

"Public support for industrial hemp farming is growing in leaps and bounds in the U.S.," explains Steenstra. "The second annual Hemp History Week, celebrated from May 2-8, 2011 featured over 550 events in all 50 states. The campaign mobilized the support of tens of thousands of consumers, grass-roots activists and many high-profile celebrities from health and wellness experts to TV and entertainment personalities, professional athletes and renowned musicians."

H.R. 1831 was introduced by chief sponsor Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) with 22 original cosponsors, including Rep. Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Clay (D-MO), Rep. Cohen (D-TN), Rep. DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Farr (D-CA), Rep. Frank (D- MA), Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Kucinich (D-OH), Rep. McClintock (R-CA), Rep. McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Miller (D-CA), Rep. Moran (D-VA), Rep. Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Polis (D-CO), Rep. Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Woolsey (D-CA).

To date, seventeen states have passed pro-hemp legislation, and six states (Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia) have already authorized the licensing of farmers to grow the crop. However, despite state authorization to grow hemp, farmers in these states risk raids by federal agents, prison time and land forfeiture if they plant the crop, due to the failure of federal policy to distinguish oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis (i.e., industrial hemp) from psychoactive varieties.

# # #

Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for low-THC industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow this agricultural crop. More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses may be found at www.VoteHemp.com or www.TheHIA.org.

END

Leading Natural Product Brands Team Up to Produce Second Annual 'Hemp History Week'

Dr. Andrew Weil, Alicia Silverstone and Members of Congress Join Campaign in Support of Industrial Hemp Farming

WASHINGTON, DC — The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp are excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Hemp History Week will be held May 2-8, 2011. As a national grassroots education campaign designed to renew strong support for hemp farming in the U.S., Hemp History Week will feature events in cities and towns all over the country. The campaign will also feature a day of action and an online petition drive to encourage the Obama administration and Congress to change federal policy and allow American farmers to once again grow industrial hemp.

"During a time of economic distress, we need to be encouraging American enterprise and American job creation. It simply doesn't make sense to restrict a viable industry because of unfounded fears. There are many success stories in my district about companies who use or sell hemp products, and I don't believe we should be limiting their potential. The Hemp History Week campaign is a great opportunity to educate other elected officials and the American public about the tremendous benefits that the ability to grow hemp in America will bring," explains Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon).

The 2011 campaign will promote the theme of "Hemp for Health and Sustainability" and has attracted endorsements from physician Dr. Andrew Weil, actress and author Alicia Silverstone, TV personality and consumer advocate Phil Lempert, registered dietician Ashley Koff, Ironman triathlete and nutrition expert Brendan Brazier and holistic health counselor Alexandra Jamieson. This year's effort seeks to build on the inaugural campaign held in May of last year, which mobilized supporters of hemp farming nationwide, including hundreds of volunteers who organized around 200 events in thirty-two states, and generated tens of thousands of letters and postcards to the President and Attorney General in support of hemp farming. Volunteers are being called upon once again to organize events in 2011, with specific details about those planned events to be announced in early April.

"Through Hemp History Week 2011, we will continue to build support for a federal policy change, while celebrating America's rich history with the crop," says Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. "Allowing American farmers to grow hemp will promote sustainable agriculture in the U.S. by supporting local farming, creating new jobs and ultimately fueling the economy," explains Steenstra.

Hundreds of natural product retail outlets across the country have signed up to participate in Hemp History Week through promotions and in-store events. Hemp product promotions in retail stores will increase from 125 stores last year to over 400 stores this year, including most Whole Foods Market locations in the U.S.

A renewable resource offering a long list of health and nutritional benefits, hemp is one of the fastest-growing categories in the natural foods industry. Hemp is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids Page 2 (EFAs), providing super omega stearidonic acid (SDA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), highly-digestible protein and naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and iron, while being a good source of dietary fiber. It is a complete protein, containing all 10 essential amino acids, with no enzyme inhibitors, making it more digestible by the human body. Hemp seeds are also gluten-free.

Hemp History Week is made possible by the support of leading natural product brands that are known for manufacturing the highest-quality hemp products. Hemp can be used in a wide variety of products, including food, cosmetics, clothing, building materials, auto parts and many more. Sponsors of Hemp History Week include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, French Meadow Bakery, Living Harvest Foods, Manitoba Harvest, Merry Hempsters, Nature's Path Foods, Nutiva and Sequel Naturals. Sustainable hemp seed, fiber and oil are also used by major companies such as Ford Motors, Patagonia and The Body Shop.

Arran Stephens, founder of Nature's Path Foods, North America's top-selling independent organic cereal company, says "We believe our products exemplify all of the goodness that hemp has to offer as a nutritious, gluten-free, non-GMO superfood. Nature's Path is proud to have been part of the growth of the hemp industry since the beginning. This May, we look forward to celebrating America's rich history with hemp farming, while educating consumers about the benefits of hemp foods."

Other U.S. hemp manufacturers have been relentless in their struggle for the right to buy hemp from U.S. farmers. "For nearly ten years, the Bronner family has financially supported efforts to lift the ban on non-drug industrial hemp farming because it is an environmentally-sustainable crop," states David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, the top-selling brand of natural soap in the U.S. "Despite our efforts, we are forced to continue purchasing the twenty tons of hemp oil that we use annually from Canada. This is a lost opportunity for American farmers and businesses, which is becoming more absurd and outrageous with each growing season that passes."

The HIA estimates that U.S. retail sales of hemp products exceeded $400 million in 2010, yet American companies making hemp products have no choice but to import their raw materials, due to the federal government's ban on hemp farming. While demand for hemp products continues to rise, it is becoming a challenge for Canadian growers and processors, the primary suppliers of hemp seed and oil to the U.S. market, to keep up and meet that demand.

"Nutiva's sales have grown at an annual rate of 41% since 2006. In 2009 and 2010, we were named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing businesses in America," says John W. Roulac, founder and CEO of Nutiva. "By allowing U.S. farmers to grow and sell hemp seed, it will help the entire industry to meet the growing demand for hemp products."

To date, seventeen states have passed pro-hemp legislation, and six states (Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia) have already authorized the licensing of farmers to grow the crop. However, despite state authorization to grow hemp, farmers in these states risk raids by federal agents if they plant the crop, due to the failure of federal policy to distinguish oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis (i.e., industrial hemp) from psychoactive varieties. Meanwhile, the Canadian government recently funneled nearly $1 million into their hemp industry, as they look to increase production capacity and make even greater inroads into the American market.

"My co-founders of Manitoba Harvest and I are proud to have successfully petitioned our government to legalize hemp in Canada over a decade ago. We are very appreciative of the Canadian government's support and hope that the U.S. government will see the opportunities with industrial hemp as well," says Mike Fata, cofounder and CEO of Manitoba Harvest. "With consumer demand for hemp products growing, why shouldn't American farmers also be allowed to benefit from this huge opportunity?"

For more information on Hemp History Week 2011, please see the completely re-designed campaign Web site at: www.HempHistoryWeek.com.

# # #

Hemp History Week – May 2-8, 2011 is an unprecedented industry-wide project initiated by The Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp, involving hundreds of hemp manufacturers and retailers. The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) is a non-profit trade group representing hemp companies, researchers, farmers and supporters. Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, non-profit advocacy group founded in 2000 by members of the hemp industry to remove barriers to industrial hemp farming in the U.S. through education, legislation and advocacy.

For further information, please visit: www.TheHIA.org and www.VoteHemp.com

Download this Press Release as a pdf by clicking HERE

END

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML as the grassroots organization is known, keeps providing the tools and resources for activists to use in their field work.  I appreciate their efforts and those of the countless others that work for reform every day.  Most have heard of the Notorious B.I.G., well the Northern Wisconsin NORML Blog found a great video about the Notorious P.O.T., HEMPs often misunderstood cousin.

Thanks to the Global Mana Foundation and the design group North Shore Cartoon for publishing a very creative, funny and spot-on political commentary in the form of a short cartoon focused on the costly absurdity of the U.S. government banning the domestic production of industrial hemp.

Most all other countries (Canada, France, Great Britain, China, Switzerland, etc…) do not allow the lawful use of cannabis for non-medical purposes, yet, they allow for the production of one of the most utilitarian and environmentally-friendly row crops that humans have been cultivating and prospering from for thousands of years.

Regardless of whatever happens in state and federal governments with ‘marijuana’ laws in future regarding medical access, decriminalization or legalization, the US government must stop trying to enforce a complete and total blanket prohibition on all forms and uses of the amazing cannabis plant—notably, like other major countries have done regarding industrial hemp.

The Capital Times reports on new marijuana trade association and a need for marijuana reform lobbyists in Wisconsin

A recent report in the Capital Times by Steve Elbow entitled Crime and Courts: Marijuana gets a trade association recapped on the recent trade association for the marijuana business, but also took notice to the marijuana situation in Wisconsin.  Although not as upbeat as I would have liked to have seen, but oh well...marijuana is still illegal in Wisconsin and that maybe part of the bitterness the recent media has taken on the issue.  Local chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws, other non-profit agencies and a variety of citizen activists constantly communicated with legislators in Wisconsin during the past session, but ultimately the legislators seemed to listen to the lobbying efforts of opposition to medical marijuana and industrial hemp.

Marijuana

"It seems like the industry is not just surviving in the midst of economic decline, but booming," says National Cannabis Industry Association executive director Aaron Smith in a statement on the new group's web site. "But it wasn't represented in Washington, D.C., like all sorts of other industries are."

The association's board of directors is chalk full of key players in what is becoming big business in states where medical marijuana is legal. The group has plans to work with U.S. lawmakers to let states set their own course on marijuana policy and treat growers and sellers just like any other business interests.

"Our lobbyist will be traveling the country and getting new members to get the clout we need to make the change we want," he says. "Our lobbyist will be representing hundreds of businesses, thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars. It's really important we build membership as fast as we can."

Steve Elliot does not seem to think Wisconsin is a target or ripe for reform anymore.  I would disagree with part of his analysis.  I live up in in central Wisconsin. I ran for State Assembly as an Independent candidate against a three term Republican in an area which saw as much as 70+% straight line Republican voting. During the campaign, we had a hard time finding people who did not support reform and this is was the Republican heartland. My Republican legislators expressed support for reform and the one of them sponsored the industrial hemp bill (Assembly Bill 206).  But Elliot goes on to say:

But don't expect to see a lot of lobbying in Wisconsin.

I wrote a story about the statewide push to legalize medical marijuana last year, and its prospects looked better, what with Democratic majorities in the Assembly and Senate, and a Democratic governor.

But now efforts to legalize medical marijuana have stalled, and new Republican majorities are unlikely to revive them.

My understanding of past legislation in Wisconsin shows me that the industrial hemp aspect of marijuana has and continues to be a bipartisan subject.  Both Democrats and Republicans alike have sponsor and co-sponsored industrial hemp regulations.  Through my field work I found bipartisan support in and outside of my communities, but yet our farmers, manufactures and workers are still not capturing any of the global hemp market.   Industrial Hemp cultivated, processed and sold for food, fuel and fiber products fundamentally means job creation, but yet our farmers are not planning on ordering any seed for spring, yet.  My understanding is that the Medical Marijuana proposals in the past have primarily started out as Republican bills.  Rather than labeling the marijuana issue an issue of Democrat or Republican, we should label it a peoples issue.  The story closes out by recapping the medical marijuana referendum in Dane County, forgetting that River Falls also captured high support for the issue.  In Dane County, the medical marijuana referendum captured a higher percentage of the vote than any one candidate.  Elliot end his story with this:

But Dane County voters endorsed the idea 76 percent to 24 percent in the fall election.

But who knows? With all the talk about creating jobs and expanding the tax base, Maybe a good lobbyist can get Republicans onboard.

This is an area I agree with the author, a good lobbyist is needed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is known for strict regulations, high taxes and very good police enforcement. These are all attributes needed for comprehensive laws regarding Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis.  I feel legalized marijuana under comprehensive law is just one voice away down in Madison, a legislator yes, a lobbyist perhaps.  With Wisconsin facing records deficits and the budget to be dealt with early in 2011 I think the current marijuana laws should be looked at from all angles.  If cutting wasteful spending, government regulations and inefficient government are things Governor Scott Walker is looking to put in the brown bag and throw out, then he has to look at the current marijuana laws in doing so.  In these trying times economic recovery, job creation, energy independence and improved public safety are critical.  Legalizing Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis will help in these areas and provide funding for other agendas.  If our newly elected officials and the ones who retained office cannot see this, Wisconsin may just have to look forward to 2012 elections.

Small town in rural United States producing electricity with hemp hurds prior to 1920

Ben Masel helps educate Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Barrett as to the rich Wisconsin history of hemp cannabis in Wisconsin.  HEMP mean jobs in Masel's eye and he would like everyone else to see this also.  See picture on flicker.

Ben Masel had just given Tom Barrett a picture of  gathering of hemp farmers. Barrett was not ready to deal with hemp and marijuana issues on this day, but agreed to speak with Ben in December.

With elections in November, talk of hemp and cannabis continues in Fairwater, Wisconsin.  Fairwater is in the State Assembly District 41, which is home to hemp cannabis activist Jay Selthofner.  Jay is currently running as an Independent in the State Assembly race against Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan).

Fairwater Hemp Company

Contributor: Florian Laper
Source: Miller Family Album

The byproducts of their rope manufacture (hemp hurds) were burned to drive a steam engine producing electricity, the 1st documented use of hemp as an energy source. This meshed nicely with the waterwheel across the Grand river, as the hemp supply came in just when the river was running low.

Family histories rich with past, present and future of hemp cannabis businesses are everywhere.  The possibilities for the plant are endless job producers for those who wish to realize.  Now more than ever, we must re-introduce this agricultural crop to our society.