by Steve Levine

The Governor of California, who allegedly represents his state and is by law a defender of the state’s medical cannabis industry, has vetoed the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act because he is afraid of federal intervention. It saddens me greatly that half a lifetime ago I revered Governor Jerry Brown as a political hero in the mold of Tom Hayden, Cesar Chavez, and even Robert Kennedy. It’s tragic what time can do to a man, and Jerry Brown is no longer worthy of anything other than pity and anger. He has lost his courage.

Industrial hemp has great promise as a renewable, alternative raw material to petrochemicals in composite and textile products. Its seed, as a food source, is second to none nutritionally. With a perfect balance of omega three and six essential fatty acids, it is a nearly complete, easily digestible protein. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps – an organic, free trade, and progressive company – currently imports 20 tons of hemp oil annually from Canada for use in their soaps. It is their goal to source this hemp oil from hemp grown on American soil. This is the case for many California companies.

Industrial hemp is not capable of producing any kind of high whatsoever, yet our government continues to block re-commercialization of industrial hemp by conflating it with medical marijuana. On October 9, Governor Brown of California used his voice to call the federal ban on industrial hemp farming “absurd” while at the same time hypocritically using his pen to veto the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act. The corporate stranglehold and hysterical drug warriors’ lock on cannabis/hemp policy continues unchecked under President Obama.

In a state that is floundering in a massive debt with high unemployment and, apparently, no leadership, the Governor has vetoed a bill that promised to give jobs to its citizens while growing an eco-industry that is sorely needed in this country. Moreover, it would not have cost the taxpayer a dime! Corporate members of the Hemp Industries Association – including Dr. Bronner’s, Nature’s Path, Nutiva and several others – have pledged to jump in and sponsor this amazing opportunity for California and the entire country at no cost to the government and its citizens. While every product derived from the industrial hemp plant is legal, we are the only industrialized country in the world that does not grow this versatile and durable plant. What the hell is wrong here?

As I see it, our government – state, federal and otherwise – is broken. It has become incumbent upon the people of this country to get involved and take back the freedom and power they have relinquished. This is a good place to start. If you also believe that industrial hemp is a unique plant that can help build a green economy in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, please make yourself heard. For more information on industrial hemp and how to bring it back to our farmers, please go to www.votehemp.com and www.hempindustries.org.

The veto of SB676, the California Hemp Farming Act, borders on treason. It will harm both the citizens and the environment of this country, respectively facing rising unemployment and disastrous global warming. At the very least, this veto by Brown was highly irresponsible and callous.

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “To stay experimentation in things social and economic is a grave responsibility. Denial of the right to experiment may be fraught with serious consequences to the nation. It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.”

It’s up to us now, as it always has been.

Steve Levine is currently president of the Hemp Industries Association and on the Board of Directors of HIA and Vote Hemp. He produced the S.B. Hemp Festival from 1999 to 2007.

California is one step closer to building a successful hemp industry in the Central Valley.

This week the Legislature gave final approval to legislation I introduced that allows California farmers to grow industrial hemp for the legal sale of seed, oil and fiber to manufacturers. Senate Bill 676 creates a four-county pilot program in Imperial, Kern, Kings and San Joaquin, allowing farmers in our state to tap into the nation’s hemp market, which is currently valued at $400 million annually.

Hundreds of consumer products containing hemp are made in California, but the manufacturers of these goods are forced to import hemp seed, oil and fiber from growers in Canada, Europe and China. Family farmers are missing out on a golden opportunity to grow hemp, which can help expand their businesses, create jobs and stimulate the economy. In addition, hemp requires little to no pesticides and herbicides, is a great rotational crop, and grows quickly with less water, making it an ideal commodity for our state.

Hemp has a deep history in the U.S. The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria crossed the Atlantic with sails made of hemp, and both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp, which was legal tender until the early 1800s. Today, industrial hemp is used to manufacture a vast array of foods, clothing, personal care products and building materials. More than 55% of the U.S. companies that create hemp products are based in California.

SB 676 is co-sponsored by Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp. It is also supported by the Kern and Kings County Sheriffs, Kings County Board of Supervisors, Imperial County Farm Bureau, California Certified Organic Farmers, California State Grange and numerous labor and business groups.

The bill has one last stop – on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk – before it can become law.

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State Senator Mark Leno represents the 3rd District, which includes Marin, and portions of San Francisco and Sonoma Counties. Senator Leno, along with now California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones was also the recipient of the California Progress Report's legislature of the year, based on votes by our sites readers (the only time it has been done) in 2009.

The bill has the endorsement of the UFCW, the Imperial County Farm Bureau, California Certified Organic Growers and other leading farming organizations. Dan Rush, UFCW 5 Statewide Special Operations Director, stated, "UFCW enthusiastically supports SB 676 because we see it as a jobs and revenue generator at a time when they are sorely needed in California."

The bill has passed out of the Senate and Assembly committees with votes as follows:

In the Senate: Agriculture - 5 - 1 (4/05); Public Safety - 5 - 2 (4/26); Appropriations - 6 - 3 (5/16); Floor - 22 -14 (5/31)

In the Assembly: Public Safety - 5 - 2 (6/21); Agriculture - 6 - 0 (6/29)

SB 676 will go to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and Floor in August. After going back to the Senate for aconcurrence vote, it will finally head to the Governor's desk.

"Support for hemp farming and manufacturing in California has been very strong. It is passing through committee after committee with a positive reception. We expect this bill to be on its way to the Governor's desk by early September. Governor Brown will then have 30 days to act on the bill," explains Patrick Goggin, California Legal Counsel for Vote Hemp.

The bill clarifies that industrial hemp is separate and distinct from forms of Cannabis used to produce marijuana and if passed will allow commercial farming of industrial hemp in five counties (Imperial, Kern, Kings, San Joaquin and Yolo) under an 8-year pilot program. Industrial hemp was grown in California up until shortly after World War II. Industrial hemp is the non-psychoactive, low-THC, oilseed and fiber varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp has absolutely no value as a recreational drug.

SB 676 was introduced on February 18 by state Senator Mark Leno. Senator Leno believes that hemp farming will help revitalize California's economy, "The time is long over due for California farmers to be allowed to grow this sustainable and profitable crop once again. The passage of SB 676 will create new jobs and economic opportunities for many farmers and manufacturers through out the state."

A variety of products made from industrial hemp including healthy food and natural body care products as well as eco-friendly clothing are made in California. "There are over 50 member businesses of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) that make or sell hemp products in the state of California alone that could benefit from an in-state source of hemp seed, fiber and oil," says Eric Steenstra, Executive Director of the HIA. "Because of outdated federal and state policies these businesses are forced to import millions of dollars of industrial hemp from Canada, China and Europe." Companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a California company that manufactures the number-one-selling natural soap in the U.S. as well as best-selling hemp food manufacturers, such as French Meadow Bakery, Living Harvest, Manitoba Harvest, Nature's Path, Nutiva and Sequel Naturals who make their products from hemp grown in Canada. Major companies such as Ford Motors, Patagonia and The Body Shop also use sustainable hemp seed, fiber and oil.

"Dr. Bronner's currently purchases twenty tons of hemp oil each year from Canada. We look forward to the day that we can meet our supply needs from hemp produced right here in our home state," says David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps of Escondido.

On May 11th, Rep. Ron Paul introduced The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011 (H.R. 1831) in Congress along with 22 co-sponsors including 6 Representatives from California (Farr, McClintock, Miller, Rohrabacher, Stark, Woolsey). If passed, H.R. 1831 will remove federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp.

To date, 17 states have passed pro-hemp laws or resolutions, including the California Assembly in 1999 when it passed a resolution declaring that "the Legislature should consider action to revise the legal status of industrial hemp to allow for its growth in California as an agricultural and industrial crop."

The law still faces a vote in the House of Representatives and must be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown by September 2011 before it will become law. The bill is being sponsored by California Senator Mark Leno who has championed this issue for California farmers and the agriculture economy of the state. The new law will only allow Agricultural Hemp Farming (Industrial Hemp) in five counties to allow farmers to legally supply numerous California manufacturers that currently must import hemp raw materials including hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, hemp foods and hemp oils. Hemp construction materials like hempcrete similar to concrete and hemp fiber board all to build homes with. Fashion materials can be made, from hemp t-shirts to hemp fabrics and hemp yarns.  Currently all imported from Canada and China.

Hemp t-shirts are a great item for eco conscience companies, resorts and corporate promotions.
A Hemp t-shirt feels great on your body or you just want a real cool super eco sustainable t-shirt.

Hempsteads donates 5% of its sales to legalizing industrial hemp farming in USA and specifically in California. Hemp Farming will help many rural farming communities create jobs and build new businesses in their towns by growing hemp seed for food, fiber, paper plastics and 25,000 other products.

It takes 600 to 700 gallons of water to produce one 100% cotton t-shirt, from planting to a finished t shirt. It takes less than 300 gallons of water to grow and produce a hemp tee. A cotton tee uses aprox. 4 oz of chemicals and fertilizer per pound then it is sprayed with 1/4 gram of toxic pesticides and herbicide per pound in its life cycle.

Hemp agricultural farming uses no chemicals or herbicide. The photosynthesis analysis is approximately one acre of hemp converts 2500 pounds of CO 2 (carbon dioxide) per acre into oxygen. NO other plant in the plant kingdom can achieve this rate of conversion.  For a farmer to grow cotton you will emit 800 pounds of CO2 per acre. 

Hemp farming can also produce the best human food of the highest quality protein and the perfect balance of omega3 and omega 6.  Now on the other hand cotton farming produces only fiber and cotton seed oil (linseed) which by the way is toxic to the body if consumed.

Our Hemp Tees are made from 55% hemp 45% organic cotton. Hemp Skinz Tee's are the most comfortable tee shirt you can wear aka the "Eco Rolls Royce" of t-shirts. Hemp fibers absorb and wick out your sweat 4 times more than cotton tee. Hemp fabric is also anti bacterial and anti fungal plus it is UV and UVB resistant. Hemp t-shirts protect your skin in many ways. No t-shirts on earth has this many attributes to your skin. That's why we call them hemp skinz ! 

We are determined to bring hemp t-shirts, fabric and clothing into the mainstream by promoting greater public awareness and media exposure. Considering the scientific facts and research that collaborate the supreme benefit to our environment by using hemp in our economy.

Take a closer look at Prop 19 the cannabis legalization act proposition coming up on the California ballot in November 2010.

Why is no one talking about industrial hemp on Prop 19 ? To my astonishment there is no mention of this in the media and Internet or anywhere. The California industrial hemp industry that would be created if this passed would be an economic boom for California farmers and create jobs in rural communities. Currently in USA the hemp market is approaching over $400 million per year. Selling hemp foods, milk, body care, seeds oils and more.  This figure does not include hemp textiles, fabrics, hemp clothing and fashion.

If you have a chance go online and read “California General Election Official Voter Guide” http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/pdf/english/text-proposed-laws.pdf#prop19 and read the following sections.

According to the language of the proposed law.

It clearly states under sec 2 #12

“Makes cannabis legal for scientific medical and Industrial hemp and research purposes”.

Now read Sec 3. Article 5:

(h) Appropriate controls on licensed premises for sale cultivation ECT. And including, zoning and land use, location site.

(l) Such larger amounts as the local authority deems appropriate and proper under local ordnances than those established under subdivision (4) of section 11300. Of health and safety code

The big eye opener that clearly states industrial hemp production.

Sec 5. Amendment.

(c) “Laws to authorize the production of hemp or non narcotic cannabis for horticulture and industrial hemp purposes”.

This could be to another potential billion-dollar agriculture industry in California. We sure need one. Currently a California hemp consulting company is working on building a state of the art multi-million dollar hemp seed processing facility somewhere in California farm country. The facility will process hemp seeds into hemp oil, protein powder, hemp flour, dehulled hemp seeds and many other hemp food products. This factory will bring jobs to the local agriculture community. Where the unemployment rate is over 20% in some farming communities in California. Hemp foods are sold in thousands of store around the country including Whole Foods; CVS even Wal-Mart sells hemp shampoo. Right now they have to import the hemp from Canada and China. This is unfair to the American farmer.

Within a year there are plans to build a hemp fiber-processing plant in the same area with industrial hemp processing equipment that will be able to produce hemp fiberglass for the auto industry. Hemp plastics, hemp construction materials form hemp board to hemp concrete. Some farmers have agreed to secured potential seed contracts with the processing facility all-dependent on their local city and county government to enact industrial hemp ordnances so they are legal to grow industrial hemp.

Industrial Hemp groups in the USA including the H.I.A (Hemp Industries Association), Vote Hemp, Dr. Bronners Company and others help saved the hemp industry from the DEA in 1998 from outlawing hemp seeds, oil and foods even hemp shampoo and conditioner. All these Hemp groups and companies have tried several attempts over the last 11 years to pass laws in California and 12 other states and including a current bill in congress to pass laws to let farmers grow industrial hemp in agriculture communities. So far three Industrial Hemp Farming bills have passed the Senate and Assembly in California. Then they where simply vetoed (torpedoed) by Gov. Davis and Gov Arnold aka “The Hempanator” he vetoed 2 of them. He went against the California Grange, Imperial Valley Farmer Bureau and several other farm groups who endorsed the hemp farm bills. That was slap in the face to all the agriculture communities and farmers in California.

California needs a new super crop to save the agriculture industry and its fledging communities. There would be hemp factories and processing plants built all over the state after a few years of industrial hemp becoming legal. Industrial hemp would generate thousands of jobs and create commerce and industry for a starving farming communities in California.

I do agree some parts of Prop.19 are flawed. For instance the Federal government could show up in five years and back tax everybody in California who paid a California cannabis tax. If you pay its public record they will know. The problem with Sacramento is you can pass really good laws and one person can veto the law even if it’s a brilliant law that will help everyone in some big or small way. The California voter initiative process in California speaks for the majority of the people, not the power of a few people in Sacramento who don’t know industrial hemp from pot.

My background in the industrial hemp industry spans almost 20 years. I was a co founder of the HIA, Hemp Industries of America. Then In 1994 I grew the first industrial hemp field in 40 years at the USDA research station in Imperial Valley CA. Its never been done since. I also co wrote the first California Industrial Hemp Farming act in 1995. Then worked fearlessly on 3 Industrial Hemp bills in the California senate 1998 2001 2005 and 2007. Vetoed by Gov. Davis and twice by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I also founded Hempstead Company an importer of hemp clothing, fabric and hemp oil. I also launched Richmond Nature USA a hemp body care line.

Currently I consult on industrial hemp projects and source hemp materials, fabrics, oils and seeds from China and Canada. So as you can see Industrial hemp is my livelihood and passion. I say Vote Yes on Prop 19. It will be one of the greatest economic windfalls in California history.

Hemp has 4x Absorbency wicking ability over cotton it's 4x Softer , 4x UV and UVB Protection, 4x Bacterial resistant mold,germs making it cleaner for your skin, 4x Stronger, 20x Longer lasting and 200x Better for the environment and your health. Most cotton in USA is grown using genetically designed bio-toxin genes in the cotton plant, hemp has zero bio toxins. Hempstead's fabric is tested and laboratory certified approved by ATCC (American Association of TextileChemist & Colorist). Help the environment and make a good living use hemp fabric for clothing, upholstery, home design and many other products.

Get The Facts on Hemp

Hemp fabric is smooth, soft and durable, the most powerful humidity- absorbing and ventilating natural fiber clothing one can wear.

Pure hemp fabric can restrain microbes, especially the diameter to restrain bowel bacillus, which gets to 10 millimeters. Hemp fiber and its products have the advantages to anti-rot, anti -mold and anti-static. (Reference to the Report by Microbe epidemic Institute of Military Academy of Science)

Hemp fiber has a middle-hollowed tubes with in the fiber thus creating oxygen stock supplies where no living condition is created for anaerobic bacteria. Hemp fabric kills bacteria and fungus like Beriberi, Tineapedis.

Dry hemp fiber can be regarded as insulation material as it conducts no electricity.

The puncture resistance is 40% more than that of cotton. The hemp fiber has good humidity-absorbing power and its humidity-missing ability is more pleasant to wear. Hemp textiles exposed in open air contains 12% moisture, which rises to 30% when the atmosphere humidity gets to 95%.

Hemp fabric protects from static electricity accumulating, discharging and gigging.

Hemp fabric resists UV and UVB from the suns rays, 80% more than cotton.

Hemp textiles resist, incomparably with others. When heated to 370f, they change no color and are naturally fire retardant.

Hemp seed protein has the best digesting abilities and absorption properties of protein more so than any other source of protein in the plant kingdom. Hemp seed protein will metabolize very quickly in your body, and give you core energy with out stomach gases, allergies or digestion problems like soy can have. 

• Contains all 10 essential amino acids. contains pure digestible protein with amino acids for building and repairing muscle tissue.

• Contains globulin edestin found in human blood plasma globulin helps excellent with the digestive system. 
  

• Hemp protein powder contains more than 42% pure protein from raw hemp seeds. 
  

• Hemp protein powder is comprised of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant,

• Hemp protein powder is 35% albumin protein (similar to egg whites) Albumin is a protein manufactured in the liver. Hemp protein will enhance the liver and kidneys.
  

Hemp Protein Powder is made from the cold pressed seeds. after they have been pressed into oil. This leaves a pure seed cake that is then refined into protein.
Once the protein is isolated it contains 40% 50% protein. This is a world class complete protein. You can use hemp protein everyday in your diet. 

How to Use:

Use in your smoothies or shakes. Mix (28g)  into  juice, or hemp milk, rice milk, or almond milk, or water Use in baking, breads cookies and more. Refrigerate after opening.

Hemp Vs. Soy

Why hemp is better than soy ? For one is that hemp has the most digestible protein in the plant kingdom. Soy has more overall protein but it is less digestible in your body, soy beans expand when you add water to them, hemp doesn't need to expand. Soy gives you gas. Soy does not digest as easily as hemp. Soy contains only some EFAs  When you compare to the incredible EFA content of hemp seeds Onega 3, 6 and 9. Soy contains oligosaccharides.  (a short chain sugar molecule they often give you gas). It's true that Soy is an excellent source of protein and has many versatile uses, once you research you will find Hemp protein and seed has several advantages over soy. You must also consider soy based products are often sweetened with sugars and flavorings.