Agricultural Hemp Campaign
About Hemp
The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BCE. During World War II, U.S. farmers grew about one million acres of hemp as part of a federally subsidized program called “Hemp for Victory.” George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp. Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper. Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. According to the Department of Energy, hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp products.
Henry Ford experimented with hemp to build car bodies. Over 30 industrialized countries allow the growing of hemp.
Campaign History
In 2009, Rural Vermont helped to pass a resolution directing the federal government to legalize the growing of agricultural hemp. View it here (pdf).
In 2008, Rural Vermont helped to pass H. 267. Here are some facts about the bill:
- Growers would need to get a license from the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture.
- Licensed growers will have to register the locations of all fields where they will grow hemp with the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture.
- Licensed growers will have to destroy any parts of the hemp plant that are not entering the stream of commerce.
- Licensed growers will obtain all of their seed from the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture.
Materials
View the current campaign factsheet
View the Hemp for VT bill (H.267) as enacted into law (.doc)
Download a general handout describing agricultural hemp, from a 2007 “Vote Hemp” event (pdf)
Download a 2007 list of cultivars approved for legal growing around the world (pdf)
Download thank you notes made by Mark Candaras, RV Volunteer, used in 2008 session (pdf)
Download the 2008 factsheet we used to publicize H. 267 (pdf)
Listen to testimony from the 2008 legislative session
Links
Hemp Facts from Way Out Wax, Candle Makers
Find out what’s happening in other states on Vote Hemp’s website