Did you know, in 2012, three Michigan counties passed
resolutions for Industrial Hemp? Montmorency, Presque Isle, and Oscoda
counties: Three very important steps in the direction towards an end of
Cannabis Prohibition in Michigan. It is important for everyone to understand
what these resolutions mean, and also how we can build off from it and
experience equal success in our surrounding counties for industrial hemp.
The use of
hemp has been plentiful for thousands of years. The benefits of its’ oil seed,
fiber, is almost limitless; yet we are allowing our government to interfere
with our rights to this beneficial plant. Medical Marijuana has been passed in our
state successfully in 2008 and put into effect in 2009. Now it’s time to use the additional cannabis
sativa L. plant and bring it closer to home in the form of cultivation and
production to boost our economy. We are
well aware of the benefits of cannabis, but somewhere along the lines, we’ve
forgotten about Hemp! We shouldn’t have to consider hemp an ‘alternative’
source. It has the potential and clear capability to be the number one crop in
the country, the “Billion Dollar Crop”, as once mentioned considered by Popular
Mechanics in 1938. So far in the 2013
legislative season, industrial hemp has been introduced and passed in a total
of 19 states. This means these states, much like our own Michigan counties, have
recognized hemp is not marijuana, and these states have successfully
implemented legislation to allow cultivation in some states, such as Colorado.
The federal bill, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013, has 42 co-signers, 3
in fact from Michigan (Rep.Justin Amash R-3, Rep. Dan Benishek. R-1., and Rep.
Kerry L. Bentivolio R-11), but of course seems to be on the back burner on a
Senate level. Without a doubt, it is simply up to individual states to progress
with industrial hemp. Our government “for the people” is being challenged to
the very core; when our own DEA is preventing its’ own citizens to benefit,
grow a plant, and thrive we need to reevaluate whether or not we need their
permission to do so. States with passed legislation have added into their bills
lifting the federal ban on hemp. This means these states do not have to seek
approval, applications, licenses, and fees, to cultivate the plant.
Michigan as
a whole needs to support the research, cultivation, and production of hemp,
just as Presque Isle, Montmorency, and Oscoda counties has done. We need to
talk with our local Farmers Bureau, County Commissioners and local
Representatives to achieve a like-minded consensus on this pressing economic
matter. Michigan has the capability to use our farm land and help our farmers
in dire need, promote small businesses who can work with these farmers
cultivating the hemp and put it to use. We have to support our country and
bring an economy back to the states. Importing hemp is costing us an estimated
$11.5 Million in 2011 (Ref. Congressional Research Service, Hemp as an
Agricultural Commodity, Renee Johnson, June 25, 2013.
www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32725.pdf.) The Hemp Industries Association, or HIA,
believes the United States had a retail market for hemp at an estimated $500
Million in 2012, not including some sales from major retail stores where hemp
products are available. (Ref. Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity)
Our country
is in an economic downward spiral if we do not get our voices heard to our
representatives and demand action. Working with our legislators is how positive
work gets done. With your help, the use of industrial hemp is just years away,
if not less, for our great state of Michigan. Contacting your local
representatives, urging your senators, attending local cannabis activists
meetings is important, if not critical, if we want to ensure a green step
forward. If you need more information on your local representatives, as well as
senators, please visit www.thehia.org on how to stay connected, get
educated, and promote industrial hemp around the country. Also new to the
Genesee County Compassion Club is a Hemp 101 course! I will personally educate
whomever willing on industrial hemp, what it is, the history of hemp in the
U.S., and ways to contribute in the efforts for the end of Cannabis and Hemp
prohibition! Stay tuned on class dates and times at www.genesee3c.com.
I am grateful for the opportunity to promote Hemp any way that I can.
Thank you to MMMReport for letting me “dab” into the tales of Hemp a bit. I
hope I can contribute again with more thorough updates state by state.
Chelsea Shaker
Political Representative for Genesee County Compassion Club
Flint, Mi
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