On Thursday, April 4th at 1:30PM, the Washington State House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government will hold a hearing on HB1888, the Hemp Freedom Act. The bill previously passed the committee on Government Accountability & Oversight by a vote of 8-0.

Sponsored by Representative Matt Shea (R), along with Christopher Hurst (D), Cary Condotta (R), Jeff Holy (R), David Taylor (R) and Jason Overstreet (R), the Hemp Freedom Act would “permit the development in Washington of an industrial hemp industry.” The federal government lacks the constitutional authority to regulate the production of hemp, or any agricultural product, within a state’s borders, and HB1888 rests on solid ground.

Hemp is a major product worldwide, and is widely used in the United States in food products, clothing, oils and more.  It can be a competitor to the oil, cotton, and paper industries (and many more), which is a likely reason why the federal government refuses to budge on its view that no one in the US should produce it.  The results?  The United States is the world’s #1 importer of hemp.  The top 2 exporters are China and Canada.

The Tenth Amendment Center encourages your immediate support to help HB1888 pass out of committee so it can be considered by the full state house.

ACTION ITEMS

1.  Call ALL the members of the subcommittee.  Strongly, but respectfully, urge a YES vote on HB1888.  Let them know that Washington farmers are struggling, and that the economy needs this boost.  And, of course, for those who consider liberty to be important, they’ll already understand that part of the message.

Hudgins, Zack (D) (360) 786-7956
Parker, Kevin (R) (360) 786-7922
Buys, Vincent (R) (360) 786-7854
Chandler, Bruce (R) (360) 786-7960
Dunshee, Hans (D) (360) 786-7804
Hunt, Sam (D) (360) 786-7992
Pedersen, Jamie (D) (360) 786-7826
Springer, Larry (D) (360) 786-7822

2.  Attend the hearingc  

1:30PM (arrive early!)

House Hearing Rm D
John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA

HEMP OVERVIEW AND USE

Industrial hemp is not marijuana, but an industrial agricultural product used for a wide variety of purposes, including the manufacture of cordage of varying tensile strength, durable clothing and nutritional products. During World War II, the United States military relied heavily on hemp products, which resulted in the famous campaign and government-produced film, “Hemp for Victory!

Even though soil, climate and agricultural capabilities could make the United States a massive producer of industrial hemp, today no hemp is grown for public sale, use and consumption within the United States. China is the world’s greatest producer and the United States is the #1 importer of hemp and hemp products in the world.

Since the enactment of the unconstitutional federal controlled-substances act in 1970, the Drug Enforcement Agency has prevented the production of hemp within the United States. Many hemp supporters feel that the DEA has been used as an “attack dog” of sorts to prevent competition with major industries where American-grown hemp products would create serious market competition: Cotton, Paper/Lumber, Oil, and others.

The Many Uses of Hemp

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Hemp

LEGISLATION AND TRACKING

If you live anywhere outside of New Hampshire, please contact your state Senator and urge them to introduce the Hemp Freedom Act. You can find model legislation HERE.

Track the status of the Hemp Freedom Act in states around the country HERE

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