Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
An Eastern Kentucky University student group is taking a tutoring role on the differences between marijuana and hemp, a once-popular crop whose roots trace back to colonial times in the region.
Members of the EKU student branch of NORML, a marijuana advocacy group, say they are not trying to promote lighting up, The Richmond Register reports.
"We're not advocating smoking, we're advocating educating people about industrial, medical and personal uses. We want the community involved," said Ashley Sharp, 19, a sophomore and president of EKU's NORML chapter.
The national group's ultimate goal is decriminalizing marijuana and hemp, but that can be accomplished only by informing people about the nature of marijuana and hemp, she said.
Membership in the campus group is open to any EKU student, and the group is sanctioned by the university just like other student organizations.
Kristina Waters, the local chapter's vice president, said the group plans to get the community involved by inviting elected officials and others to give public presentations.
"I think if people knew what marijuana and hemp were, they wouldn't be scared," said Waters, a 19-year-old sophomore.
State Sen. Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, said he plans to file a bill in the 2011 legislative session that would legalize industrial hemp as a cash crop in Kentucky.
Industrial hemp could be used as a source for renewable fuels and other products including paper, clothes, cosmetics and carpet, he said.
"The time is right for industrial hemp in Kentucky," Pendleton said. "It has the potential to become a $400 million to $500 million industry in our state. It would be good for agriculture, for industry and for our economy. This could put Kentuckians to work."
Kentucky is among several states to pass laws in the past decade that advocate the research of hemp as an industrial crop. Some states have passed laws allowing hemp to be produced as an industrial crop.
Growing hemp as an industrial crop requires approval from the federal government. Federal law makes no distinction between marijuana and hemp. In early stages of growth, it may be difficult to distinguish between hemp and marijuana.
In its dry form, hemp may have much lower concentrations of THC, the psychoactive agent found in marijuana, than marijuana itself, and some websites say it could not be used as an intoxicant, the newspaper reported.
In early U.S. history, hemp was grown to make ropes and canvass and sails for ships.
According to a state historical marker, Kentucky hemp production began in 1775. In 1806, a water-powered factory in Madison County ran 106 spindles to create thread that was woven into cloth.
Kentucky hemp production peaked in 1850, when 40,000 tons were produced, the marker states, but the fibrous plant continued to be the state's largest cash crop until 1915, when industrial jute began to take its place in the textile market.
There was an upsurge in Kentucky hemp production during World War II, when several Madison County farmers grew the plant under license from the federal government, which used the product in the war effort.
Hemp continued to be grown commercially in the United States until the 1950s, according to the North American Industrial Hemp Council Inc.
Besides competition from alternative fibers, hemp production declined as ships abandoned sails for steam and diesel power. Hemp production also fell as taxes on it rose, and its production in the U.S. gradually came to a halt.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: kentucky.com
Author: The Associated Press
Copyright: 2010 the McClatchy Company
Contact: Lexington, KY local and breaking news Lexington Herald-Leader | Kentucky.com
Website: Student group promotes hemp education - State & Regional - Wire - Kentucky.com
Members of the EKU student branch of NORML, a marijuana advocacy group, say they are not trying to promote lighting up, The Richmond Register reports.
"We're not advocating smoking, we're advocating educating people about industrial, medical and personal uses. We want the community involved," said Ashley Sharp, 19, a sophomore and president of EKU's NORML chapter.
The national group's ultimate goal is decriminalizing marijuana and hemp, but that can be accomplished only by informing people about the nature of marijuana and hemp, she said.
Membership in the campus group is open to any EKU student, and the group is sanctioned by the university just like other student organizations.
Kristina Waters, the local chapter's vice president, said the group plans to get the community involved by inviting elected officials and others to give public presentations.
"I think if people knew what marijuana and hemp were, they wouldn't be scared," said Waters, a 19-year-old sophomore.
State Sen. Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, said he plans to file a bill in the 2011 legislative session that would legalize industrial hemp as a cash crop in Kentucky.
Industrial hemp could be used as a source for renewable fuels and other products including paper, clothes, cosmetics and carpet, he said.
"The time is right for industrial hemp in Kentucky," Pendleton said. "It has the potential to become a $400 million to $500 million industry in our state. It would be good for agriculture, for industry and for our economy. This could put Kentuckians to work."
Kentucky is among several states to pass laws in the past decade that advocate the research of hemp as an industrial crop. Some states have passed laws allowing hemp to be produced as an industrial crop.
Growing hemp as an industrial crop requires approval from the federal government. Federal law makes no distinction between marijuana and hemp. In early stages of growth, it may be difficult to distinguish between hemp and marijuana.
In its dry form, hemp may have much lower concentrations of THC, the psychoactive agent found in marijuana, than marijuana itself, and some websites say it could not be used as an intoxicant, the newspaper reported.
In early U.S. history, hemp was grown to make ropes and canvass and sails for ships.
According to a state historical marker, Kentucky hemp production began in 1775. In 1806, a water-powered factory in Madison County ran 106 spindles to create thread that was woven into cloth.
Kentucky hemp production peaked in 1850, when 40,000 tons were produced, the marker states, but the fibrous plant continued to be the state's largest cash crop until 1915, when industrial jute began to take its place in the textile market.
There was an upsurge in Kentucky hemp production during World War II, when several Madison County farmers grew the plant under license from the federal government, which used the product in the war effort.
Hemp continued to be grown commercially in the United States until the 1950s, according to the North American Industrial Hemp Council Inc.
Besides competition from alternative fibers, hemp production declined as ships abandoned sails for steam and diesel power. Hemp production also fell as taxes on it rose, and its production in the U.S. gradually came to a halt.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: kentucky.com
Author: The Associated Press
Copyright: 2010 the McClatchy Company
Contact: Lexington, KY local and breaking news Lexington Herald-Leader | Kentucky.com
Website: Student group promotes hemp education - State & Regional - Wire - Kentucky.com
