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A change in federal rules could clear the way for New Jersey growers to farm cannabis used by industry Advocates for hemp, marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin, contend that a new federal law President Obama is expected to sign shortly could help ease the way for New Jersey to legalize cultivation of cannabis for industrial uses. Hemp farming has the potential to be a vibrant new industry for the Garden State, bringing new jobs and revenue, if officials would allow it here, several pro-hemp groups said. Instead of importing hemp from countries like Canada and China to make products, the crop could be grown in America, they say.
"This is an economic engine," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat who represents Hunterdon and Mercer counties. "Our first seven presidents grew hemp. ... New Jersey is the Garden State, and this would keep the interest in farming alive." Hemp proponents are making some headway in terms of having the plant's cultivation, now essentially banned under federal law, legalized. As soon as today, Obama was expected to sign a farm bill with a provision that would allow universities and agriculture departments to grow hemp for research.
But this would only be permitted in states that have already allowed hemp growing, and New Jersey isn't among them. So far, 10 states have passed such laws – Colorado, Washington, California, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia. "This puts us behind the curve because those 10 states have a jump-start," Gusciora said. The Hemp Industries Association estimates the total retail value of U.S. hemp products in 2012 was more than $500 million.
The Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Gusciora that would have approved and set up a licensing procedure for hemp farming, when and if the federal government permitted such cultivation. But in January, Governor Christie used a pocket veto, declining to sign the bill. Gusciora said he plans to revise and reintroduce the legislation.
Christie administration officials couldn't be reached for comment. Advocates of industrial hemp cultivation said they hope the new federal law may prompt some officials to change their minds about hemp farming in their states. The new farm bill "adds pressure" for Christie to sign a hemp-cultivation bill, said Evan Nison, executive director of NORML NJ, which supports the legalization of marijuana.
Gusciora also said the new farm bill provision may make Christie more inclined to support a hemp-cultivation bill, in that the governor has been reluctant to pass state law not supported by federal legislation. Officials in the state Department of Agriculture have voiced concern about the cost of licensing hemp growers under Gusciora's bill, according to the Office of Legislative Services. The department estimated it would cost $1.56 million over three years, while only generating $46,438 in revenue. Gusciora said his new version of the hemp-cultivation bill, in order to cut costs, may not call for licensing.
On the federal level, there are measures pending in the Senate and House much broader than the provision in the farm bill, that would give states the authority to regulate hemp growing and processing, said Eric Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp, a grass-roots advocacy group for the plant. The sale of goods made with hemp is legal in the United States. The plant's fibers and seeds are incorporated into products like rope, textiles, food, auto parts, paper, soaps, carpeting, oils and pharmaceuticals.
Hemp, a type of cannabis, doesn't have marijuana's intoxicating properties. Marijuana has a 10 percent to 28 percent concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical that induces intoxication, while industrial hemp can't have more than 0.3 percent, said Hugh McKee, president of Cresskill-based Bast Fibers, which imports hemp fiber. "It has no psychotropic value," Gusciora said. "You cannot get high off of hemp."
North Jersey business owners like McKee are eager for hemp cultivation to be legalized in the state. He supplies hemp fiber to U.S. automakers who use it to make car parts, such as door interiors, dashboards and insulation, he said. Those carmakers "want fiber that's domestically grown," McKee said, since that would provide a more steady supply chain than getting the plant from countries such as India and Bangladesh.
Derek Peterson, president of Terra Tech Corp., has an acre in Lincoln Park and about 99 acres in Belvidere with greenhouses where he would like to grow industrial hemp. "Right now, we are shipping that money and jobs to China and Canada," he said. Peterson, who grows herbs and flowers for sale, said he is considering growing hemp even if the state doesn't approve its cultivation. There are people growing marijuana in New Jersey even though it's not legal under federal law, he said. Mike Chazukow owns Hemp Heaven in Morris Plains and sells hemp-based item such as soaps, clothing and lotions. If he could buy hemp from domestic suppliers, Chazukow estimated the cost would be one-third to one-fifth less than getting it from overseas. "We need to finally stop handling hemp like it's plutonium," he said.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Northjersey.com
Author: Linda Moss
Contact: About the North Jersey Media Group, Stephen Borg, Jennifer Borg, Malcolm Borg - NorthJersey.com
Website: North Jersey business push for hemp farming : page all - NorthJersey.com
"This is an economic engine," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat who represents Hunterdon and Mercer counties. "Our first seven presidents grew hemp. ... New Jersey is the Garden State, and this would keep the interest in farming alive." Hemp proponents are making some headway in terms of having the plant's cultivation, now essentially banned under federal law, legalized. As soon as today, Obama was expected to sign a farm bill with a provision that would allow universities and agriculture departments to grow hemp for research.
But this would only be permitted in states that have already allowed hemp growing, and New Jersey isn't among them. So far, 10 states have passed such laws – Colorado, Washington, California, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia. "This puts us behind the curve because those 10 states have a jump-start," Gusciora said. The Hemp Industries Association estimates the total retail value of U.S. hemp products in 2012 was more than $500 million.
The Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Gusciora that would have approved and set up a licensing procedure for hemp farming, when and if the federal government permitted such cultivation. But in January, Governor Christie used a pocket veto, declining to sign the bill. Gusciora said he plans to revise and reintroduce the legislation.
Christie administration officials couldn't be reached for comment. Advocates of industrial hemp cultivation said they hope the new federal law may prompt some officials to change their minds about hemp farming in their states. The new farm bill "adds pressure" for Christie to sign a hemp-cultivation bill, said Evan Nison, executive director of NORML NJ, which supports the legalization of marijuana.
Gusciora also said the new farm bill provision may make Christie more inclined to support a hemp-cultivation bill, in that the governor has been reluctant to pass state law not supported by federal legislation. Officials in the state Department of Agriculture have voiced concern about the cost of licensing hemp growers under Gusciora's bill, according to the Office of Legislative Services. The department estimated it would cost $1.56 million over three years, while only generating $46,438 in revenue. Gusciora said his new version of the hemp-cultivation bill, in order to cut costs, may not call for licensing.
On the federal level, there are measures pending in the Senate and House much broader than the provision in the farm bill, that would give states the authority to regulate hemp growing and processing, said Eric Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp, a grass-roots advocacy group for the plant. The sale of goods made with hemp is legal in the United States. The plant's fibers and seeds are incorporated into products like rope, textiles, food, auto parts, paper, soaps, carpeting, oils and pharmaceuticals.
Hemp, a type of cannabis, doesn't have marijuana's intoxicating properties. Marijuana has a 10 percent to 28 percent concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical that induces intoxication, while industrial hemp can't have more than 0.3 percent, said Hugh McKee, president of Cresskill-based Bast Fibers, which imports hemp fiber. "It has no psychotropic value," Gusciora said. "You cannot get high off of hemp."
North Jersey business owners like McKee are eager for hemp cultivation to be legalized in the state. He supplies hemp fiber to U.S. automakers who use it to make car parts, such as door interiors, dashboards and insulation, he said. Those carmakers "want fiber that's domestically grown," McKee said, since that would provide a more steady supply chain than getting the plant from countries such as India and Bangladesh.
Derek Peterson, president of Terra Tech Corp., has an acre in Lincoln Park and about 99 acres in Belvidere with greenhouses where he would like to grow industrial hemp. "Right now, we are shipping that money and jobs to China and Canada," he said. Peterson, who grows herbs and flowers for sale, said he is considering growing hemp even if the state doesn't approve its cultivation. There are people growing marijuana in New Jersey even though it's not legal under federal law, he said. Mike Chazukow owns Hemp Heaven in Morris Plains and sells hemp-based item such as soaps, clothing and lotions. If he could buy hemp from domestic suppliers, Chazukow estimated the cost would be one-third to one-fifth less than getting it from overseas. "We need to finally stop handling hemp like it's plutonium," he said.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Northjersey.com
Author: Linda Moss
Contact: About the North Jersey Media Group, Stephen Borg, Jennifer Borg, Malcolm Borg - NorthJersey.com
Website: North Jersey business push for hemp farming : page all - NorthJersey.com
