|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
US IL: Senate Panel Backs Hemp As Alternative Crop
ccguide Thursday 17 Feb 2000 Pubdate: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) Copyright: 2000 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Contact: Website: http://www.postnet.com/postnet/stories.nsf/Home Forum: http://www.postnet.com/postnet/config.nsf/forums Author: Lisa Snedeker, Of The Post-Dispatch SENATE PANEL BACKS HEMP AS ALTERNATIVE CROP Foes Say Bill Would Enhance Illegal Marijuana SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Industrial hemp came one step closer on Tuesday to becoming an alternative crop for Illinois farmers. An Illinois Senate committee advanced a bill that would allow Illinois universities to study the crop's viability in production of clothing and other items. Opponents argued it could make it easier to grow illegal marijuana. "What they are trying to do is get us to accept marijuana incrementally as a safe product," said Judy Kreamer, past-president of the Illinois Drug Education Alliance. Kreamer, from Naperville, provided the only testimony opposing the bill sponsored by Sen. Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville. "If they want marijuana, it's available," Bowles said before the meeting. "Those who are addicted to it will find it. That's not what this is all about." The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 6-0 to send the measure to the Senate floor for a full debate. Among those in favor was Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville. Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, who voted present, said he had some reservations about the bill, in part because law enforcement does not support it. "One presenter questioned the demand (for industrial hemp) and I would like to look into that more," he said. Sen. William O'Daniel, D-Mount Vernon, who also voted present, said, "I believe at this time it's not a very smart political vote until we do a better job of convincing the general public that this (industrial hemp) isn't associated with marijuana." A similar measure that would urge Congress to acknowledge the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp is scheduled for a vote in an Illinois House committee this morning. Despite a renewed interest in hemp's non-hallucinogenic uses, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has not changed its stance that production of industrial hemp is illegal. Industrial hemp contains a negligible level of hallucinogens compared with marijuana. By promoting the production of industrial hemp, Kreamer said, state government would send a mixed message. "Hemp products usually have a marijuana leaf on them," she said. "What message is that sending to children?" But supporters argue that industrial hemp, which can be used to make such items as rope, clothing and paper, could save a lot of struggling family farms. The Illinois Farm Bureau supports a U.S. policy change on industrial hemp, as does the St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation District. The initial cost to cultivate a quarter acre of hemp at the University of Illinois is estimated at $376,000 for the first year, said Donald Briskin, professor of plant biology. The bills are SB 1397 and HB 3559. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!