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Resolution on hemp research rejected by Student Government
Concerns over fate of campaign for student regent mark debate.
Hemp necklaces, such as these sold by Marthat Henniager at the Renaissance Market, are common-place around campus. Student Government turned down a proposal Tuesday to push for UT research of hemp.
Student Government does not want hemp research at the University – at least not until hemp is legalized.
A resolution calling for the University to offer to research the desirability and feasibility of the development of industrial hemp was defeated in a 22-9 vote by Student Government representatives Tuesday night.
A key question in the debate over the resolution was a concern about the perception of hemp.
Representative Phillip Aurentz, a mechanical engineering honors senior, said passing the resolution would jeopardize any chances Student Government may have of Gov. Rick Perry appointing a student member to the Board of Regents.
"Republicans are ruling the world now. If we do this, with what we did a few weeks ago, they're not going to support us," Aurentz said, referring to the anti-war resolution the body passed two weeks ago.
Student Government President Katie King took an unusual step in participating in the debate over the resolution. She advocated rejecting the bill and sending it instead to Texas A&M University, known for its agricultural research.
"Our friends three hours down the road are number one in that," King said. "We don't have the resources or the departments or the facilities to do this. Send this to A&M."
Author of the resolution, Brian Parrett, an education senior and director of Hemp Advocates of Texas, said King's comments missed the point of the resolution.
"The University of Texas is not an ag school," Parrett said. "The idea behind the resolution is that A&M would cultivate and cut the crop and then send it to us so that we can break it down and figure out what we can do with this crop."
Parrett said the question of the resolution was not one of partisanship or liberal versus conservative ideas.
"Hemp truly is an economic issue," Parrett said. "Hemp is about energy and resource independence."
More than 25,000 products can be made from industrial hemp, including food, fuel, plastics, paint and textiles.
Student Government Representative Jordan Buckley, a Spanish junior and sponsor of the hemp resolution, said the vote was a display of Student Government members' ignorance on the issue.
"God forbid that a representative assembly pass a resolution that doesn't exactly echo the conservative agenda," Buckley said. "In 10 years, when hemp is legalized and much money is to be made from it, all the business representatives will be kicking themselves."
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Brandi Grissom, Daily Texan (University of Texas)
Andrew Price/Daily Texan Staff
Concerns over fate of campaign for student regent mark debate.
Hemp necklaces, such as these sold by Marthat Henniager at the Renaissance Market, are common-place around campus. Student Government turned down a proposal Tuesday to push for UT research of hemp.
Student Government does not want hemp research at the University – at least not until hemp is legalized.
A resolution calling for the University to offer to research the desirability and feasibility of the development of industrial hemp was defeated in a 22-9 vote by Student Government representatives Tuesday night.
A key question in the debate over the resolution was a concern about the perception of hemp.
Representative Phillip Aurentz, a mechanical engineering honors senior, said passing the resolution would jeopardize any chances Student Government may have of Gov. Rick Perry appointing a student member to the Board of Regents.
"Republicans are ruling the world now. If we do this, with what we did a few weeks ago, they're not going to support us," Aurentz said, referring to the anti-war resolution the body passed two weeks ago.
Student Government President Katie King took an unusual step in participating in the debate over the resolution. She advocated rejecting the bill and sending it instead to Texas A&M University, known for its agricultural research.
"Our friends three hours down the road are number one in that," King said. "We don't have the resources or the departments or the facilities to do this. Send this to A&M."
Author of the resolution, Brian Parrett, an education senior and director of Hemp Advocates of Texas, said King's comments missed the point of the resolution.
"The University of Texas is not an ag school," Parrett said. "The idea behind the resolution is that A&M would cultivate and cut the crop and then send it to us so that we can break it down and figure out what we can do with this crop."
Parrett said the question of the resolution was not one of partisanship or liberal versus conservative ideas.
"Hemp truly is an economic issue," Parrett said. "Hemp is about energy and resource independence."
More than 25,000 products can be made from industrial hemp, including food, fuel, plastics, paint and textiles.
Student Government Representative Jordan Buckley, a Spanish junior and sponsor of the hemp resolution, said the vote was a display of Student Government members' ignorance on the issue.
"God forbid that a representative assembly pass a resolution that doesn't exactly echo the conservative agenda," Buckley said. "In 10 years, when hemp is legalized and much money is to be made from it, all the business representatives will be kicking themselves."
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Brandi Grissom, Daily Texan (University of Texas)
Andrew Price/Daily Texan Staff
