Feb 13, 2007 3:53 PM by Jack Herer

Breaking News:
Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007 Introduce

(Note from Jack: This hemp will only be allowed to have 0.3 percent THC. Since THC is the hemp plant's sunscreen and protects it, these hemp plants will not be as strong and useful as they would be if allowed to grow naturally.)

H.R. 1009 Would Give States Right to Regulate Farming of Versatile Hemp Crop

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the second time
since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States, a
federal bill has been introduced that would remove restrictions on the
cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp. The chief sponsor of H.R.
1009, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007," is Representative Ron Paul
(R-TX) and the nine original co-sponsors are Representatives Tammy Baldwin
(D-WI), Barney Frank (D-MA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Jim McDermott (D-WA), George Miller (D-CA), Pete
Stark (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

The bill may be viewed online at:
http://www.votehemp.com/federal.html

"It is indefensible that the United States government prevents American
farmers from growing this crop. The prohibition subsidizes farmers in
countries from Canada to Romania by eliminating American competition and
encourages jobs in industries such as food, auto parts and clothing that
utilize industrial hemp to be located overseas instead of in the United
States," said Dr. Paul. "By passing the Industrial Hemp Farming Act the
House of Representatives can help American farmers and reduce the trade
deficit -- all without spending a single taxpayer dollar."

U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a California company who manufactures the
number-one-selling natural soap, and FlexForm Technologies, an Indiana
company whose natural fiber materials are used in over 2 million cars. Hemp
food manufacturers such as French Meadow Bakery, Hempzels, Living Harvest,
Nature's Path and Nutiva now make their products from Canadian hemp.
Although hemp grows wild across the U.S., a vestige of centuries of hemp
farming, the hemp for these products must be imported. Health Canada
statistics show that 48,060 acres of industrial hemp were produced in
Canada in 2006. Farmers in Canada have reported that hemp is one of the
most profitable crops that they can grow. Hemp clothing is made around the
world by well-known brands such as Patagonia, Bono's Edun and Giorgio
Armani.

There is strong support among key national organizations for a change
in the federal government's position on hemp. The National Association of
State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) "supports revisions to the federal
rules and regulations authorizing commercial production of industrial
hemp." The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has also passed
a pro-hemp resolution.

Numerous individual states have expressed interest in industrial hemp
as well. Fifteen states have passed pro-hemp legislation; seven (Hawaii,
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia) have
removed barriers to its production or research. North Dakota has issued
state licenses, the first in fifty years, to two farmers so far. Rep.
Paul's bill would remove federal barriers and allow laws in these states
regulating the growing and processing of industrial hemp to take effect.

"Under the current national drug control policy, industrial hemp can be
imported, but it can't be grown by American farmers," says Eric Steenstra,
president of Vote Hemp. "The DEA has taken the Controlled Substances Act's
antiquated definition of marijuana out of context and used it as an
excuse to ban industrial hemp farming. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of
2007 will bring us back to more rational times when the government
regulated marijuana, but told farmers they could go ahead and continue
raising hemp just as they always had," says Mr. Steenstra.

More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses can be
found at http://www.VoteHemp.com.

BETA SP and DVD Video News Releases featuring footage of hemp farming
in other countries are available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger
at 202-744-2671.

CONTACT: Tom Murphy of Vote Hemp, 207-542-4998 or tom@votehemp.com