The Argument for the Legalization of Industrial Hemp
![handle is hein.journals/sjlar13 and id is 87 raw text is: THE ARGUMENT FOR THE
LEGALIZATION OF
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
INTRODUCTION
Industrial hemp as a cash crop in the United States has a history as
old as the United States itself. The Founding Fathers grew hemp and it
was an integral crop in the economic structure of the colonial United
States.' Industrial hemp supported our economy during World War 11.2
Currently it is illegal to grow hemp in the United States without a spe-
cial Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permit being issued.'
The United States is the only industrialized nation that currently does
not allow the growing of hemp.4 Unfortunately, the hemp issue has
been confused and/or attached to the pro-marijuana movement in the
United States.
As this comment will show, industrial hemp is perhaps the most
versatile crop that can be grown. Its use can save trees and fossil fuel,
clothe the world, and can be used as an ingredient in cosmetics and
foodstuffs. It can even be used to replace fiberglass in automobiles.
Growing industrial hemp uses less water and pesticides than does cot-
ton. These are just a few of the reasons that California should pass
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS (NORML),
ABOUT HEMP, at http://www.norml.org/hemp/index.shtmI (last visited Jul. 20, 2000).
[hereinafter NORML, About Hemp] (on file with San Joaquin Agricultural Law
Review).
2 U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE, HEMP FOR VICTORY (1942) available at Industrial
Hemp Info Page, at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/2200/articles/
ind.hemp/HEMPVIC.HTM (last visited Jul. 20, 2000) (on file with San Joaquin Agri-
cultural Law Review).
3 NORML, About Hemp, supra note 1.
4 DAVID P. WEST, PHD, Hemp and Marijuana Myths & Realities, for the North
American Industrial Hemp Council (1998), at http://www.gametec.com/hemp/
hemp.mj.html (last last visited Jun. 24, 2002) (on file with San Joaquin Agricultural
Law Review); Court halts government hemp rule, ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE, April
18, 2003, at http://ens-news.com/ens/apr2003/2003-04-18-09.asp (last visited on April
27, 2003) (on file with San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review).](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/sjlar13&div=7&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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The Argument for the Legalization of Industrial Hemp
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