Pubdate: Mon, 08 May 2006
Source: Ledger, The (FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: James MacPherson, Associated Press Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

N.D. PUSHING AHEAD WITH HEMP FARMING RULES

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota is pushing ahead with plans to license 
state farmers to grow industrial hemp even as it tries to allay law 
enforcement fears about marijuana's biological cousin.

State Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and his department are 
crafting hemp rules after meeting in February with Drug Enforcement 
Agency officials in Washington. A public hearing on the proposed 
rules is slated for June 15.

The rules would require a criminal background check on farmers who 
want to grow hemp. The sale of hemp and location of the hemp fields 
must be documented. And the farmer must get a permit from the DEA.

Adam Eidinger, a spokesman for Vote Hemp, the lobbying arm of the 
hemp industry, said North Dakota is the first state to actually craft 
rules to license hemp farmers.

"We're very supportive," Eidinger said of the state's efforts.

Hemp contains trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a banned 
substance, and it falls under federal anti-drug rules, said Steve 
Robertson, a DEA special agent in Washington.

The state rules would be "contingent on the federal government 
changing its mind," Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said. The 
likelihood of that is "very small," he said.

Rogene Waite, a spokeswoman for the DEA in Washington, said federal 
drug laws don't make a distinction between marijuana and hemp because 
they both contain THC.

Johnson and agriculture commissioners from three other states - 
Massachusetts, West Virginia and Wisconsin - met in February with DEA 
officials in Washington. They discussed what would be required to 
allow industrial hemp production, Johnson said, and he believes North 
Dakota's proposed rules address those requirements.

"We think this is reasonable," said Johnson, a Democrat. "We've bent 
over backward to make sure people won't be growing marijuana in these fields."

State Rep. Dave Monson, a Republican and state House assistant 
majority leader, said he was pleased Johnson was able to wangle a 
meeting with DEA to discuss hemp rules. He called it a "huge step."

Industrial hemp would be an alternative cash crop for North Dakota 
farmers because it's used to make food, clothing, cosmetics, paper, 
rope and other products. Large-scale cultivation of industrial hemp 
is legal in Canada.

Supporters claim that despite its family links to marijuana, hemp is 
safe because it contains only trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical.

A number of states have already passed laws aimed at allowing hemp 
farming, including Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota and 
West Virginia. California's Assembly recently approved a bill 
permitting hemp farming, which is awaiting work by state senators.

Farmer Doug Goehring, of Menoken, a Republican who is challenging 
Johnson's bid for re-election in November, said he also supports hemp 
production in North Dakota.

"I think it has some potential in North Dakota as another alternative 
crop," Goehring said. Hemp already grows wild in the state, he said.

Goehring said the U.S. Navy buys hemp from other countries for such 
things as mooring lines for ships. "We're not even allowed to provide 
it to our own government, which is a little disappointing," he said.

Goehring, who grows wheat, soybeans and corn, said he likely would 
add hemp to his rotation, if allowed. "It can grow in some pretty 
raunchy soil, in some pretty tough conditions," Goehring said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman