Soon, Vermont farmers might gain a new chance to bring potentially lucrative diversity to their operations. Without signing it, Governor Jim Douglas has allowed a bill which lets farms plant industrial hemp crops become a law. But those who appreciate the hemp industry still need to wait a bit longer. Hemp and marijuana are both considered the same plant so according to Federal law, they are both illegal. Many lawmakers say that a change in this situation is inevitable. Proponents insist that hemp is vital for cosmetics, garments, and even for food production. The Agriculture Agency is ready for further changes with the adoption of new legislation. Although corn production is less in Vermont than in the Midwest, only producing 90,000 acres per year, it is still vitally necessary to continue with the practice of regular crop rotation. Candle making and dairy farming are two areas of commercial concern in Vermont that would profit from the growing of hemp. Once considered a very small time market, products made from Hemp are quickly becoming a mainstream market. Over the last ten years, farmers in Canada grew an average of 16,500 acres of hemp every year for use in food products. Vermont's potential hemp industry could also tap into this market as well as selling cheap animal bedding for the 140,000 cows in Vermont. Police officials cite concerns about industrial hemp's connection with marijuana as their reason for opposition to the bill. The governor states that the reason he did not sign the bill was the link between hemp and marijuana. The task of the Agriculture Agency is to write the regulations for hemp cultivation that will enable farmers to get their licenses as soon as the new law goes into effect. North Dakota is another one state which did this. Hemp is officially cultivated in Canada and many other countries at present. In 1937, growing hemp in the United States was banned although the suspension was lifted temporarily during World War II.
Author:Amy Whittingham
Added: Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:39:50 -0400
This Article Has Been Read 108 times
About the Author: The author is interested in hemp production and Adili.
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