HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, May 6, 2010
2010 Ron Paul 20:1
Mr. PAUL.
Madam Speaker, I rise to speak
about Hemp History Week. To celebrate the
American heritage of growing industrial hemp,
the Hemp Industries Association, Vote Hemp,
several American manufacturers, and allied
companies and organizations have declared
May 17 to May 23 to be Hemp History Week.
Throughout the week, people will recognize
Americaís legacy of industrial hemp farming
and call for reinstating respect for farmersí
basic right to grow industrial hemp.
2010 Ron Paul 20:2
Industrial hemp was legally grown throughout
our country for many years. In fact,
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
grew industrial hemp and used it to make
cloth. During World War II, the federal government
encouraged American farmers to grow
hemp to help the war effort.
2010 Ron Paul 20:3
Despite industrial hemp farming being an
important part of American history, the federal
government has banned cultivation of this
crop. In every other industrialized country, industrial
hemp, defined to contain less than 0.3
percent THC—the psychoactive chemical
found in marijuana—may be legally grown.
Nobody can be psychologically affected by
consuming industrial hemp. Unfortunately, because
of a federal policy that does not distinguish
between growing industrial hemp and
growing marijuana, all hemp products and materials
must be imported. The result is high
prices, outsourced jobs, and lost opportunities
for American manufacturing.
2010 Ron Paul 20:4
Reintroducing industrial hemp farming in the
United States would bring jobs to communities
struggling in todayís economy, provide. American
farmers with another crop alternative, and
encourage the development of hemp processing
factories near American hemp farming.
2010 Ron Paul 20:5
Industrial hemp is used in many products.
For example, industrial hemp is used in protein
supplements, non-dairy milk, and frozen
desserts. Hemp flour is in breads, crackers,
chips, dips, and dressings. Hemp seeds may
be eaten plain or added to prepared foods.
Additionally, hemp oil is used in a number of
cosmetic and body care products, and hemp
fiber is used in cloths. Industrial hemp is also
present in bio-composite materials used in
buildings and automobiles.
2010 Ron Paul 20:6
I first introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming
Act, H.R. 1866, five years ago to end the
federal governmentís ban on American farmers
growing industrial hemp. In this time, the
industrial hemp industry has grown much larger.
Despite its American history, industrial
hemp is the only crop that we can buy and
sell but not farm in the United States. The federal
government should change the law to
allow American farmers grow this profitable
crop as American farmers have through most
of our nationís history. Please cosponsor the
Industrial Hemp Farming Act and join me in
celebrating Hemp History Week.
