Robert Celt
New Member
Companion bills in the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives is aimed at opening a new market by allowing farmers to grow industrial hemp.
Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, are sponsoring the bills. The legislation would authorize the state Department of Agriculture and Industries, pr institutions of higher learning, to research uses of industrial hemp, which is genetically different from marijuana.
"I think the bill has a chance if we understand this is not marijuana. We did a lot of checking before the bills were introduced," Bussman said. "About 28 other states have moved forward with this. The products are used for a wide range of purposes, from the automotive industry to building materials. In Kentucky, the company that processes it is need of a lot more just to meet the demand."
All industrial hemp growth is controlled by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, which issues a permit once it approves a plan for research and growth. Auburn University and other institutions would conduct studies on the product before any growing by farmers could start, Bussman said.
"Right now commodities are down, such as peanuts, and I'm looking for options to help our farmers. According to the research, industrial hemp uses less water and is easier on the soil than cotton," Bussman said. "It's not a product you can go out and cut and smoke and get high. It would just give you a headache. It's genetically different than marijuana and doesn't contain anything in the levels of THC found in marijuana. The plants are also different."
According to information provided by the Senate, Auburn University has estimated that industrial hemp is suited to most of the soil in Alabama. Auburn's analysis also found that industrial hemp products in 2014 carried a retail value of $620 million in 2014.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Alabama Senator Says Industrial Hemp Would Open New Markets For Farmers
Author: David Palmer
Contact: The Cullman Times
Photo Credit: AP File photo
Website: The Cullman Times
Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, are sponsoring the bills. The legislation would authorize the state Department of Agriculture and Industries, pr institutions of higher learning, to research uses of industrial hemp, which is genetically different from marijuana.
"I think the bill has a chance if we understand this is not marijuana. We did a lot of checking before the bills were introduced," Bussman said. "About 28 other states have moved forward with this. The products are used for a wide range of purposes, from the automotive industry to building materials. In Kentucky, the company that processes it is need of a lot more just to meet the demand."
All industrial hemp growth is controlled by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, which issues a permit once it approves a plan for research and growth. Auburn University and other institutions would conduct studies on the product before any growing by farmers could start, Bussman said.
"Right now commodities are down, such as peanuts, and I'm looking for options to help our farmers. According to the research, industrial hemp uses less water and is easier on the soil than cotton," Bussman said. "It's not a product you can go out and cut and smoke and get high. It would just give you a headache. It's genetically different than marijuana and doesn't contain anything in the levels of THC found in marijuana. The plants are also different."
According to information provided by the Senate, Auburn University has estimated that industrial hemp is suited to most of the soil in Alabama. Auburn's analysis also found that industrial hemp products in 2014 carried a retail value of $620 million in 2014.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Alabama Senator Says Industrial Hemp Would Open New Markets For Farmers
Author: David Palmer
Contact: The Cullman Times
Photo Credit: AP File photo
Website: The Cullman Times
