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  • What Is Hemp?

    Hemp is one of the oldest domesticated crops known. It has been used for paper, textiles, and cordage for thousands of years. So what is hemp and how does it differ from the psychoactive form of cannabis that we consume medicinally?

    There are several different varieties of the cannabis plant. Hemp refers to the non-psychoactive (less than 1% THC) varieties of Cannabis sativa L. Both hemp and marijuana come from the same cannabis species, but are genetically distinct and are further distinguished by use, chemical makeup, and cultivation methods.

    Hemp can be grown as a renewable source for raw materials that can be incorporated into thousands of products. Its seeds and flowers are used in health foods, organic body care, and so many other products.

    The fibers and stalks are used in hemp clothing, construction materials, paper, biofuel, plastic composites, and more.

    Hemp is an attractive rotation crop for farmers. As it grows, hemp breathes in CO2, detoxifies the soil, and prevents soil erosion. What’s left after harvest breaks down into the soil, providing valuable nutrients. Hemp requires much less water to grow, requires no pesticides and is much more environmentally friendly than traditional crops.

    Hemp can do a lot, but it can’t get you “high.” Because hemp varieties contain virtually zero tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), your body processes it faster than you can smoke it. Trying to use hemp to put you on cloud nine will only put you in bed with a migraine!

    Why Is Hemp Illegal?

    In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act strictly regulated the cultivation and sale of all cannabis varieties. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified all forms of cannabis — including hemp — as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to grow it in the United States (which is why we’re forced to import hemp from other countries as long as it contains scant levels of THC — 0.3% is the regulation for hemp cultivation in the European Union and Canada). As a result of this long-term prohibition, most people have forgotten the industrial uses of the plant and continue to misidentify hemp with its cannabis cousin, marijuana.

    The 2014 US Farm Bill allows states that have passed their own industrial hemp legislation to grow industrial hemp for purposes of research and development. Several states — including Kentucky, Colorado, and Oregon — are already conducting hemp pilot projects. Many other states are currently pursuing similar legislation and programs. After many years of prohibition, American farmers are finally reacquainting themselves with industrial hemp.

    In January of 2015, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act (H.R. 525 and S. 134) was introduced in the House and Senate. If passed, it would remove all federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, and remove its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance.

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  • More Hemp Information

    Cotton vs Hemp

    • One acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton on an annual basis.
    • Hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton, lasts twice as long as cotton, and will not mildew.
    • Cotton grows only in moderate climates and requires more water than hemp.
    • Hemp is frost tolerant, requires only moderate amounts of water, and grows in all 50 states.
    • Cotton requires large quantities of pesticides and herbicides--50% of the world's pesticides/herbicides are used in the production of cotton. Hemp requires no pesticides, no herbicides, and only moderate amounts of fertilizer.

    Trees vs Hemp

    • One acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees on an annual basis. From tissue paper to cardboard, all types of paper products can be produced from hemp.
    • The quality of hemp paper is superior to tree-based paper.
    • Hemp paper will last hundreds of years without degrading, can be recycled many more times than tree-based paper, and requires less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process than does paper made from trees.
    • Hemp can be used to produce fiberboard that is stronger and lighter than wood. Substituting hemp fiberboard for timber would further reduce the need to cut down our forests.

    Plastic vs Hemp

    • Hemp can be used to produce strong, durable and environmentally-friendly plastic substitutes. Thousands of products made from petroleum-based plastics can be produced from hemp-based composites.

    Harvest Time

    • It takes several years for trees to grow until they can be cut down for paper or wood.  hemp is ready for harvesting only 120 days after it is planted.
    • Hemp can grow on most land suitable for farming, while forests and tree farms require large tracts of land available in few locations. Harvesting hemp rather than trees would also eliminate erosion due to logging, thereby reducing topsoil loss and water pollution caused by soil runoff.

    Hemp Seeds

    • Hemp seeds contain a protein that is more nutritious and more economical to produce than soybeans.
    • Hemp seeds are not intoxicating.
    • Hemp seed protein can be used to produce virtually any product made from soybean: tofu, veggie burgers, butter, cheese, salad oils, ice cream, milk, etc.
    • Hemp seed can also be ground into a nutritious flour that can be used to produce baked goods such as pasta, cookies, and breads.

    Hemp Seed Oil

    • Hemp seed oil can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink and lubricating oil.
    • Hemp seeds account for up to half the weight of a mature hemp plant, hemp seed is a viable source for these products.
    • Just like corn can be made into clean-burning ethanol fuel..so can hemp.
    • Because hemp produces more biomass than any plant species (including corn) that can be grown in a wide range of climates and locations, hemp has a great potential to become a major source of ethanol fuel.

    Laws

    Many wild hemp plants currently grow throughout the U.S. and like hemp grown for industrial use it has no drug properties because of its low THC content. U.S. marijuana laws prevent farmers from growing the same hemp plant that proliferates in nature by the millions.

    From 1776 to 1937, hemp was a major American crop and textiles made from hemp were common. Yet, The American Textile Museum, The Smithsonian Institute, and most American history books contain no mention of hemp. The government's War on Drugs has created an atmosphere of self censorship where speaking of hemp in a positive manner is considered politically incorrect or taboo.
     

  • Read More About Hemp


    Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity - Industrial hemp is an agricultural commodity that is cultivated for use in the production of a wide range of products, including foods and beverages, cosmetics and personal care products, nutritional supplements, fabrics and textiles, yarns and spun fibers, paper, construction and insulation materials, and other manufactured goods. Hemp can be grown as a fiber, seed, or other dual-purpose crop. Read More...

    Defining Industrial Hemp - A Fact Sheet - Botanically, industrial hemp and marijuana are from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa, but from different varieties or cultivars. However, industrial hemp and marijuana are genetically distinct forms of cannabis1 that are distinguished by their use and chemical makeup as well as by differing cultivation practices in their production. Read More...

    Drug Enforcement Administration View Regarding Hemp- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued an interpretive rule stating that under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and DEA regulations, any product that contains any amount of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) is a schedule I controlled substance, even if such product is made from those ortions of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the CSA definition of ‘‘marihuana.’’ Read More...

    Hemp Industries Association vs DEA - petition the Court for review of the “Final Rule—Establishment of a New Drug Code for Marihuana Extract,” issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration on December 14, 2016. Read More...

    Study Explains Why Hemp and Marijuana are Different - Genetic differences between hemp and marijuana determine whether Cannabis plants
    have the potential for psychoactivity, a new study by University of Minnesota scientists. Read More...

  • Posts

    • Redefining Impairment: Beyond THC Levels in Roadside Testing In recent developments that promise to reshape our understanding of cannabis use and road safety, a federal government report has cast significant doubt on the efficacy of using THC levels as a benchmark for driver impairment. This revelation comes at a crucial juncture in the evolving discourse around cannabis, challenging long-held assumptions and urging a reevaluation of legal and scientific standards. The Federal Perspective on THC and Impairment The crux of the debate centers on the assertion by a researcher from the Justice Department, which signals a pivotal shift in federal stance. The department acknowledges the discrepancies between THC levels in the bloodstream and the actual impairment of an individual, especially among regular cannabis users. This admission underlines a growing consensus that the current metrics for evaluating cannabis impairment might not only be flawed but fundamentally misaligned with the realities of consumption and its effects on the human body. Frances Scott, a DOJ physical scientist, highlighted in a recent podcast that research funded by the federal government conclusively shows that THC concentration is not well-correlated with impairment for driving. This insight is supported by studies indicating that chronic and infrequent marijuana users metabolize THC differently, complicating the establishment of a universal impairment threshold based on THC concentration alone. The Scientific Challenge of THC Impairment Testing The scientific community has long grappled with the complexities of THC impairment testing. Unlike alcohol, where a .08 blood alcohol content level can serve as a clear marker for impairment, THC’s effects are not as straightforwardly quantifiable. This complexity is reflected in studies such as those by Hound Labs (2022) and research by Sewell (2019), which explore alternative testing methods and question the correlation between THC blood levels and crash risk, respectively. This divergence from a simple, numerical standard for impairment necessitates a broader exploration of impairment testing methods. The Department of Justice, while continuing to research a marijuana breathalyzer, is also exploring alternatives like saliva swabs and assessments of eye functioning, aiming to devise a more accurate measure of impairment. The Path Forward: Rethinking Impairment Measurement The acknowledgment of the inadequacy of THC levels as an impairment standard necessitates a reevaluation of how impairment is measured, particularly in the context of driving. The development of technology like the DRUID app, which assesses impairment through a variety of cognitive and motor tasks, represents a step towards creating more objective benchmarks for marijuana impairment. However, widespread implementation and acceptance of such technologies in law enforcement practices remain in the nascent stages. Attorney Michael Komorn State / Federal Legal Defense With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems. Facebook X LinkedIn KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550 Legal and Social Implications The evolving understanding of THC and impairment has profound legal and social implications. As the federal government and researchers work towards establishing a more nuanced approach to evaluating impairment, there’s a pressing need for legal frameworks that reflect these complexities. The push for an objective standard for marijuana impairment, as seen in recent legislative efforts, underscores the urgency of this issue. Furthermore, this shift towards a more evidence-based approach to impairment testing holds the promise of creating a more just and equitable legal system. By moving away from a one-size-fits-all standard based on THC levels, there’s potential to mitigate the risk of unjustly penalizing individuals, particularly those who use cannabis for medical purposes, based on an arbitrary metric. Federal Government’s Admission The federal government’s admission that THC levels do not reliably indicate impairment marks a significant step forward in our understanding of cannabis and its effects on driving safety. This acknowledgment not only challenges existing paradigms but also opens the door to a more informed and nuanced approach to road safety and law enforcement. As research continues and new technologies emerge, there’s hope for the development of impairment testing methods that accurately reflect an individual’s ability to drive safely, paving the way for fairer legal standards and safer roads for everyone. Related Articles Senate considers bill making governor, lawmakers eligible for FOIA Why this was not a thing and passed decades ago would be a good question.The Senate oversight committee will review a bill that aims to extend Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to cover lawmakers and the governor's office. Senate Bills 669 and 670 aim to expand... Whitmer supports opt-out system for state park passes Whitmer expressed her support in her 2025 budget recommendations for legislation that would automatically charge vehicle owners a fee for entry to state parks. Another fine piece of legislation introduced House Bill 5428, which would automatically take from vehicle... Michigan wants to study marijuana’s health benefits MICHIGAN WANTS TO STUDY MARIJUANA’S HEALTH BENEFITSWhen Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana six years ago, they also allocated cannabis tax revenue for research into the health benefits of the drug specifically for military veterans. In a remarkable... $87 million in adult-use marijuana payments to be sent out across Michigan The Michigan Department of Treasury today announced that more than $87 million is being distributed among 269 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. Over the next few days, 99 cities, 30 villages, 69 townships... More Posts An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000 An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000 Part 1 - Residual mouth alcohol detection Counterpoint Volume 2; Issue 2 - Article 3 (August 2017) An article in the Core... read more The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1) The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1 of 2)Roll-Out The Michigan State Police (MSP) initiated Intoxilyzer 9000 (Intoxilyzer) training for police officers statewide, commencing... read more The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2) The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2 of 2)Using it The Intoxilyzer is user-friendly and equipped with a built-in feature to alert officers of any potential issues. As a... read more Our Kids are Dying of Drug Overdoses THE KIDS AREN’T ALRIGHT, THEY’RE DYING OF DRUG OVERDOSESFrom May 2022 to May 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an alarming 37 percent... read more How DUI Charges Impact Your Child’s Future In Michigan driving is considered a privilege. with this privilege comes immense responsibility, especially when it comes to driving under the influence (DUI) as well... read more Rescheduling Marijuana Would Be a Threat to Public Health Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana says policy makers need to learn from their mistakes with hemp when considering marijuana rescheduling. It’s rare for... read more Meet MiChap Climate and Health Adaptation ProgramYou must save yourself from yourself.Meet MICHAPOur Vision: Michigan's public health system fosters equitable health and wellbeing... read more Feds discover new methods to distinguish hemp and marijuana to assist crime labs Federally funded researchers have uncovered two methods to divide and diversify the difference between hemp and cannabis to assist to crime labs. Because Cannabis is... read more Laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect Several new laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2023Making use of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House,... read more Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana – 2024 Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana Jan 2024 a report from the Congressional Research Service. read more « Older Entries The post Redefining Impairment: Beyond THC Levels in Roadside Testing appeared first on Komorn Law. 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