SALEM, Ore. (Feb. 12, 2016) – An Oregon bill that would relax state hemp licensing laws, making the crop more like any other agricultural products, passed out of an important committee Thursday. The measure opens up hemp to small and individual farmers, paving the way for faster development of Oregon’s hemp market, and further nullifying federal prohibition in effect.

A bipartisan coalition of four representatives, along with 14 cosponsors, prefiled House Bill 4060 (HB4060) on Jan. 27. The legislation would make a number of positive changes to Oregon’s industrial hemp program, encouraging further development of a hemp market within the state.

The bill would remove a requirement that industrial hemp crops be grown in in fields at least 2.5 acres in size. It would establish regulations for hemp products meant for human consumption and clarify it does not constitute a food adulterant. It authorizes registered handlers who are also registered growers to process industrial hemp into commodities, products, or agricultural hemp seed, in the place where the crop is located provided that processing complies with land use plans and applicable zoning ordinances. Additionally, the legislation removes current limits on how growers can establish their crops, authorizing them to use any propagation method to produce industrial hemp, and allowing them to retain agricultural hemp seed for propagation for future years. This section would also clarify that hemp farmers can grow all varieties of hemp.

An amendment added in committee stipulates that hemp farmers must comply with the same water and pesticide regulations as growers of other crops.

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee approved the measure 8-1.

The Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) and Oregonians for Food & Shelter (OFS) both support HB4060, saying it would help expand hemp farming in the state.

“OFB and OFS support HB4060 with the goal of regulating industrial hemp the same as any other agricultural commodity. Oregon’s industrial hemp farmers have asked the Legislature to build flexibility into their license, and we support this request. Farmers throughout the state are looking for a crop that could increase their viability into the future. A functional industrial hemp program gives growers that option.”

The Oregon legislature initially legalized industrial hemp production in 2009. When the Oregon Department of Agriculture finally put its licensing and regulatory program in place early in 2014, farmers began growing hemp. The relaxation of the current laws governing industrial hemp would likely spur even more activity and grow the market within the state.

The federal government still prohibits the cultivation of industrial hemp in most cases. Despite federal prohibition, Oregon’s current law effectively nullifies the ban by encouraging hemp production in the state. By relaxing regulations and facilitating further development of the hemp industry, Oregon will ultimately expand this “illegal” market.

Introduction of this bill also demonstrates a practical reality. Tenth Amendment Center executive director Michael Boldin pointed out the when states pass bills that remove a layer of law, markets will inevitably begin to develop.

“As those markets take root, legislators start feeling the pressure to relax laws further,” he said. “Some critics complain that state licensing programs ‘restrict freedom.’ Still, state-restricted hemp farming is better than no hemp farming at all. That’s at least a little more freedom. And as we’re seeing in Oregon, it ultimately opens the door to even freer markets down the road. A little freedom begets more freedom.”

FEDERAL FARM BILL

Early in 2014, President Barack Obama signed a new farm bill into law, which included a provision allowing a handful of states to begin limited research programs growing hemp. The “hemp amendment”

…allows State Agriculture Departments, colleges and universities to grow hemp, defined as the non-drug oil-seed and fiber varieties of Cannabis, for academic or agricultural research purposes, but it applies only to states where industrial hemp farming is already legal under state law.

In short, current federal law authorizes the farming of hemp – by research institutions only, for research only. Farming for commercial purposes by individuals and businesses remains prohibited. Oregon law ignores federal prohibition and authorizes commercial farming and production anyway.

OTHER STATES

Oregon joins with a number of other states – including Colorado, South Carolina, Connecticut, Maine, North Dakota and Vermont – simply ignoring federal prohibition and legalizing industrial hemp production within their state borders.

While prospective hemp growers still have to take federal law into consideration, by eliminating the state requirement for federal permission, state hemp legalization clears away a major obstacle to widespread commercial hemp farming within the borders of the state.

Farmers in SE Colorado started harvesting the plant in 2013, and farmers in Vermont began harvesting in 2014, effectively nullifying federal restrictions on such agricultural activities. On Feb. 2 of last year, the Oregon hemp industry officially opened for business and one week later, the first license went to a small non-profit group. As more people engage in hemp production and the market grows within these states, more people will become emboldened creating an exponential wave, ultimately nullifying the federal ban in effect.

HUGE MARKET FOR HEMP

According to a 2005 Congressional Research Service report, the U.S. is the only developed nation that hasn’t developed an industrial hemp crop for economic purposes.

Experts suggest that the U.S. market for hemp is around $600 million per year. They count as many as 25,000 uses for industrial hemp, including food, cosmetics, plastics and bio-fuel. The U.S. is currently the world’s #1 importer of hemp fiber for various products, with China and Canada acting as the top two exporters in the world.

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!”.

HB4060 represents a second step toward hemp freedom in Oregon.

WHAT’S NEXT

HB4060 will now move to the state House for further debate and consideration.

 

Mike Maharrey

The 10th Amendment

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

LEARN MORE

01

Featured Articles

On the Constitution, history, the founders, and analysis of current events.

featured articles

02

Tenther Blog and News

Nullification news, quick takes, history, interviews, podcasts and much more.

tenther blog

03

State of the Nullification Movement

232 pages. History, constitutionality, and application today.

get the report

01

Path to Liberty

Our flagship podcast. Michael Boldin on the constitution, history, and strategy for liberty today

path to liberty

02

Maharrey Minute

The title says it all. Mike Maharrey with a 1 minute take on issues under a 10th Amendment lens. maharrey minute

Tenther Essentials

2-4 minute videos on key Constitutional issues - history, and application today

TENTHER ESSENTIALS

Join TAC, Support Liberty!

Nothing helps us get the job done more than the financial support of our members, from just $2/month!

JOIN TAC

01

The 10th Amendment

History, meaning, and purpose - the "Foundation of the Constitution."

10th Amendment

03

Nullification

Get an overview of the principles, background, and application in history - and today.

nullification