Hemp products’re prolly a bigger part of my life now than back when I used to toke up regularly. Some of my fave hemp stuff: Hemp Plus Granola. Alpsnack bars. And I heart Patagonia, which’s been selling hemp clothes since 1997.
But right now, Cali farmers aren’t allowed to grow hemp.
Now comes the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, aka AB 1147, which could have Cali growing industrial hemp legally, finally. And this bill comes to a final vote in the state Assembly and Senate this month!
Why’s hemp important? Especially compared to conventional cotton, hemp requires little or no herbicides or pesticides. Hemp’s also very versatile — You can make all sortsa things with the stuff, as seen in my list above. Plus, if we can grow the stuff here, then we don’t have to cart it over via fossil fuels from far off places.
Californians — Send a letter to your senate and assembly member — More info on the bill here; full deets here.
And to get deep into the hemp movement, visit Vote Hemp.
Update, 8/17/06: The bill passed in the CA senate yesterday. It’s now going to the Assembly for a final concurrence vote, then Schwarzenegger for his signature…
Update, 10/1/06: Schwarzenegger vetoed the hemp bill, the bastard!
ah but if it was free trade hemp you would have to cart it along way. So what would you do then. The ulitimate green catch 22 :)
Comment by simon — August 10, 2006 @ 3:19 pm
Do you mean fair trade hemp? Ah — local vs. fair trade is not a catch 22 — it’s double the fun — more ethical shopping options :)
Comment by Siel — August 11, 2006 @ 11:51 am
I’m not trying to be pejorative by saying this but it’s not a good idea to put a picture of a pot leaf in a story when it’s about hemp. Industrial hemp has nothing to do with pot. That idea was a ploy that was played out in the 50’s that tied the two together. The casual reader just walks away with hemp=pot. Sometimes it’s not the argument for a thing that matters, it’s how it is framed.
Comment by Damien — August 14, 2006 @ 4:57 pm
I guess I feel both should be legalized… Point taken though –
Comment by Siel — August 14, 2006 @ 4:59 pm