[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 58 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E793-E794]
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

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about Hemp History Week. To 
celebrate the American heritage of growing industrial hemp, the Hemp 
Industries Association, Vote Hemp, American manufacturers, and allied 
companies and organizations have declared May 2 to May 8, 2011 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 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 industrial hemp 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 six years ago to 
end the federal government's ban on American farmers growing industrial 
hemp. Since then, the industrial

[[Page E794]]

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 to grow this profitable crop as American farmers 
have through most of our nation's history. I plan to reintroduce the 
Industrial Hemp Farming Act next week. Please cosponsor the Industrial 
Hemp Farming Act and join me in celebrating Hemp History Week.

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