Pubdate: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 Source: Des Moines Register (IA) Copyright: 2014 The Des Moines Register Contact: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/99999999/HELP/40507010 Website: http://desmoinesregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123 Author: Christopher Doering Vilsack: U.S. LOOKING TO PURCHASE HEMP SEED TO HELP UKRAINE Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the United States is looking to purchase hemp seed to help Ukraine's ailing economy, which has been hurt by a corrupt government and recently an invasion by Russia into its Crimea region. Hemp is related to marijuana, but does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinoids (THC), the intoxicating ingredients that make a pot smoker high. Hemp is used in a variety of items including building materials, personal hygiene products, textiles like carpeting and ropes and foods such as margarine and cooking oil. "We are now involved in trying to figure out ways in which we might be able to use the industrial hemp seeds that are created in the Ukraine in the U.S.," Vilsack told reporters earlier this week. He said their hemp seeds do not contain THC content "so it probably does not run afoul of any of our drug laws." Ukraine is one of the world's largest producers of hemp seed. Vilsack added the USDA is monitoring the situation overseas, but so far there are no disruption from the situation on crop production or the commodity markets in Ukraine. Congress is expected to send legislation to President Obama by the end of the week to reaffirm support for Ukraine, provide up to $1 billion in loan guarantees for Ukraine as well as $100 million in direct assistance. It also codifies financial sanctions the Obama administration has already imposed on Russians officials. Separately, the U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to condemn Russia's annexation of Crimea as illegal and the International Monetary Fund said it will loan Ukraine up to $18 billion. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D