Hemp may piggyback to legality on Prop 19 in California

I have commented before on the situation in California and have taken the stance that all industries will receive a boost from legalizing marijuana in all forms.   In my article I went into some depth about how legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes will greatly help the industrial hemp movement.  In my work with legislators, law enforcement, and lobbyists working against the industrial hemp bill, the  recreational use of marijuana is seen as the obstacle to legalizing industrial hemp.  I am taking the approach and talking about hemp and cannabis with truth, honesty and compassion and believe comprehensive legislation is needed, which will be accomplished be addressing all issues of the plant.  All experts are going to be needed to help with Wisconsin Hemp Cannabis Initiative.

I was reading the news this morning, The Sacramento Bee had a report that contained information and unfortunately a call for action from Wisconsin and hemp cannabis supporters nationwide.  The story entitled Hemp may piggyback to legality on Prop 19 in California gave hints to the cannabis conversations going on nationwide and the eyes that are in and on Wisconsin.  The story starts out by pointing out the obvious:

Proposition 19 proponents say the initiative’s language allowing local governments to permit cannabis cultivation – by definition – includes both marijuana and hemp.

But the measure variously inspires or infuriates hemp advocates, who are waging arguments over whether it will help or hinder efforts to lift a U.S. ban on hemp cultivation.

On the bright note for Wisconsin, should the state fight for the right’s of farmers to grow industrial hemp and our unemployed workers to participate in industry, the future does look green:

Some say Proposition 19 could invigorate a national hemp industry that already produces more than $350 million in annual sales of clothing, food, paper, carpet and other items – all from hemp grown in other countries.

Hemp fibers, foods and oils are imported from more than 30 other countries, but the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration treats hemp cultivation as an illegal activity akin to narcotics production.

I refer to my opening statements and  Erwin A. “Bud” Sholts, chairman of the North American Industrial Hemp Council feels he gave a pretty safe political answer.  I feel the Wisconsin based group North American Industrial Hemp Council needs to hear from Wisconsinites on the issue of hemp and cannabis.  Erwin A. “Bud” Sholts is quoted as saying:

Erwin A. “Bud” Sholts, chairman of the North American Industrial Hemp Council, a Wisconsin group hoping to open up American farmland to hemp cultivation, wants nothing to do with California’s pot initiative.

“I don’t think we’re interested in legalizing the drug at all,” he said.

Sholts, a former economist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, said his hemp trade organization is working with major U.S. companies he won’t name to “develop a strategy” for legalizing U.S. production.

The last thing his partners need, Sholts said, is California’s Proposition 19. “They don’t want to appear to be pro-marijuana,” he said.

Tides are changing and the marijuana user is also a consumer.  We are seeing a movement in multiple fronts.  States where medical marijuana is allowed, the voices are getting louder.  People in general are starting to speak up more, especially to their elected officials.  Consumers are demanding and changing the philosophies of companies every day.  The marijuana movement will be no different.  To close out the article with some great hemp potential, focus on the food production this plant could have and the enhancement it brings to the table.

That market is already booming for John Roulak. His Oxnard-based Nutiva food company – listed in Inc. magazine as one of America’s 5,000 fastest growing businesses – expects to earn $12 million this year on imports of hemp foods from “Hemp Ginger Salad Dressing” to hemp protein shakes and munchable hemp seeds.

Sales of hemp foods – said to be high in fiber, protein and Omega-3 and Omega-6 – took off after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2004 that the Drug Enforcement Administration couldn’t ban foods containing the plant products.