Hemp agriculture gains traction at state, local levels
From our weekly issue dated July 29, 2009
Industrial hemp, the raw material for products such as this wallet, may soon be legally grown in Oregon. (IVN photo)
Oregon is poised to become the seventh state to legalize the agricultural use of hemp, and some Josephine County officials are expressing support for the concept.
The Legislature has approved Senate Bill 676, sponsored by Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene). And although Gov. Kulongoski had yet to sign the bill as of Saturday, July 25, it is anticipated that he will do so.
Prozanski has been proposing legislation similar to SB 676 since 1997. He said that he considers hemp to be “like any other commodity.”
“The reality is, industrial hemp has a very rich history in this country as an agricultural crop and for whatever reason, we allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked by other competing products,” Prozanski said. “Now, people are realizing the benefit to having industrial hemp grown within the borders of the U.S., instead of importing its products from other countries.”
Section two of SB 676 states that hemp would be considered an agricultural product regulated by the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA). Hemp growers and handlers would be required to have a license issued by ODA, as well as an agricultural hemp seed production permit.
Application for the license must include the “global positioning system coordinates” and legal property description of the grow site. The crop must be at least 2.5 acres in size, and the non-transferable permits are valid for three years, unless revoked, and may be renewed.
Under SB 676, ODA would have the authority to seize hemp plants if the crop contains a tetrahydrocannobinol (THC) concentration exceeding .3 percent on a dry weight basis. It also would be able to impose a $2,500 civil penalty for violations.
Hemp still is considered illegal by the federal government, but Prozanski said that he expects that to change.
He noted, “Work has been done at the federal level for years, and people understand what it is and what it isn’t, and we could, in fact, see a redefinition of marijuana to not include industrial hemp.”
Prozanski said that legalizing hemp for industrial use could help many Oregon businesses that already sell it.
“There are already so many out there.” he said. “We could cut their costs that they pay for importing the raw material by having it grown here. That will allow cottage industries to become more mainstream industries and put more resources into production vs. transportation and other costs for the product.”
Sheriff OK With Industrial Hemp
Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson said that he supports the legalization of industrial hemp. “I think it’s a good idea,” Gilbertson said. “I think it’s a viable crop, and the entire county could benefit from it.”
County Commissioner Dave Toler said that hemp has “a lot of potential,” and may be used to make products as diverse as fibers, and maybe even oils and biofuels.
Toler points out that hemp can grow in less than ideal conditions, which could benefit Josephine County.
“We don’t have a lot of prime agricultural soil in this county,” he said. “This could be a match for that.”
Prozanski said that the possibility also exists for hemp to be combined with timber to produce pulp.
“There are multiple ways I can see how the introduction of industrial hemp can help complement existing timber products and sources,” Prozanski said. “The reality is, I believe it can do well in the state of Oregon.”
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