[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 67 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E774-E775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEMP HISTORY WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2010

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about Hemp History Week. To 
celebrate the American heritage of growing industrial hemp, the Hemp 
Industries Association, Vote Hemp, several American manufacturers, and 
allied companies and organizations have declared May 17 to May 23 to be 
Hemp History Week. Throughout the week, people will recognize America's 
legacy of industrial hemp farming and call for reinstating respect for 
farmers' basic right to grow industrial hemp.
  Industrial hemp was legally grown throughout our country for many 
years. In fact, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew industrial 
hemp and used it to make cloth. During World War II, the federal 
government encouraged American farmers to grow hemp to help the war 
effort.
  Despite industrial hemp farming being an important part of American 
history, the federal government has banned cultivation of this crop. In 
every other industrialized country, industrial hemp, defined to contain 
less than 0.3

[[Page E775]]

percent THC--the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana--may be 
legally grown. Nobody can be psychologically affected by consuming 
industrial hemp. Unfortunately, because of a federal policy that does 
not distinguish between growing industrial hemp and growing marijuana, 
all hemp products and materials must be imported. The result is high 
prices, outsourced jobs, and lost opportunities for American 
manufacturing.
  Reintroducing industrial hemp farming in the United States would 
bring jobs to communities struggling in today's economy, provide. 
American farmers with another crop alternative, and encourage the 
development of hemp processing factories near American hemp farming.
  Industrial hemp is used in many products. For example, industrial 
hemp is used in protein supplements, non-dairy milk, and frozen 
desserts. Hemp flour is in breads, crackers, chips, dips, and 
dressings. Hemp seeds may be eaten plain or added to prepared foods. 
Additionally, hemp oil is used in a number of cosmetic and body care 
products, and hemp fiber is used in cloths. Industrial hemp is also 
present in bio-composite materials used in buildings and automobiles.
  I first introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, H.R. 1866, five 
years ago to end the federal government's ban on American farmers 
growing industrial hemp. In this time, the industrial hemp industry has 
grown much larger. Despite its American history, industrial hemp is the 
only crop that we can buy and sell but not farm in the United States. 
The federal government should change the law to allow American farmers 
grow this profitable crop as American farmers have through most of our 
nation's history. Please cosponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act and 
join me in celebrating Hemp History Week.

                          ____________________