Growing Agricultural Hemp on an Experimental Basis Essay

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growing agricultural hemp on an experimental basis for three years. Specifically, it will discuss the findings so that a Montana congressional representative can craft a bill and present a case before her fellow legislators. Agricultural or "industrial" hemp growth has mounting support in the United States, from farmers, businesspeople, and educators, to name a few. Industrial hemp is used in a variety of products, and growing hemp is a viable cash-crop alternative for farmers who have seen their incomes decline in recent years. Agricultural hemp is far removed from its' distant cousin, marijuana, and it should be considered as a viable alternative for Montana farmers who need to rejuvenate their fields and their livelihoods.

Growing Agricultural Hemp - An Analysis

The cultivation of hemp for industrial use is not a new idea. Americans have been cultivating the hemp plant for hundreds of years, and it was not until 1937 that the Marijuana Prohibitive Tax Act outlawed the growing of hemp. Before that Act, hemp was grown extensively in eight states in the U.S., and provided a decent livelihood for the farmers who raised it (Kane 36). Historically, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp, in fact, Washington was a strong advocate for the plant, saying "make the most you can of the Indian hemp seed. Sow it everywhere'" (Kane 36). In fact, hemp forms a vital thread in the roots of our democracy, because "it was used in the paper on which the Declaration of Independence was written, in Betsy Ross' first flag and in early Ford cars" ("It's Definitely Not Your" 15). In addition, growing hemp was legalized again in the U.S. during World War II because many of its uses, such as oil for greasing mechanical equipment, rope, and cloth were vital to the wartime economy.

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Contrary to popular misconception, the hemp plant is not marijuana. Known by the botanical name "cannabis sativa," hemp does not contain the narcotic qualities of marijuana, and so its growth is not dangerous to the community. While many people believe growing hemp is just like growing marijuana, there are numerous differences. Hemp grows taller than marijuana, and they are spaced quite close together in the fields, unlike marijuana, which is spaced out for optimum leaf growth. In addition, hemp produces more flowers and seeds, while marijuana cultivation is mainly concerned with unfertilized female plants, which create more leaves (Thevenot). Hemp also does not produce the narcotic high associated with marijuana, and so its' bad reputation as a hallucinogenic is unfounded. The most a person smoking hemp would get is a headache, or an upset stomach, according to numerous experts. While the two plants are cousins, hemp does not contain the chemical THC, which is what creates the hallucinogenic properties in marijuana. Thus, growing hemp for industrial uses is quite far removed from cultivating marijuana, which is why so many states are looking at legislation to legalize the agricultural growth of hemp for industrial purposes.

Industry uses hemp in a wide variety of products, "as many as 25,000, including rope, clothing, diapers, car parts and carpet. Oil from the seeds is used in shampoo, beer, vitamins, and lip balm" ("It's Definitely Not Your" 15). The plant has….....

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