thehia.org
Freedom for Hemp

Good news developing on a couple of fronts in hemp and we mean rope quality cannabis that really is "just a plant," albeit a truly beneficial one. In Australia 2.5 million hemp plants will be harvested from a secret location in Northern NSW over the next two weeks, and then processed for use in the construction of two hemp houses. The environmental benefits of the project are numerous.

Dr Bolton said the 1.3 hectare crop was being grown at a North Coast sewerage plant and used as a means of "mopping" up the effluent. It is the fifth and largest hemp crop to be produced through SCU's North Coast Mop Crop Project.

"We are aiming to demonstrate that there can be a commercial outcome from hemp cultivation. The State Government has indicated that they will not allow commercial licences for growing hemp until they are confident there is a market."

Dr Bolton said once economies of scale were in place the cost of the hemp building material should be similar to conventional bricks. He said it was possible that in future people would be able to grow their own crop and then have their house built on site out of the processed hemp. (Don't you love that idea?)

"I can definitely say the insulation properties are far superior. We also think we may be eligible for carbon credits, because the material will be locking up a significant amount of carbon." Tell the truth I don't understand the carbon part but it must be good if they give credits for it.

Meanwhile, HempIndustries.org issued a press release announcing a new industrial hemp farming bill to be introduced in California and is holding a press conference in support of the bill on Wednesday February 23, 2005 at 9:00am being held in California State Capitol, Room 1190, in Sacramento. The public is invited and there will be free samples of hemp products.

If the new hemp bill becomes law, farmers would be able to apply for state licenses to grow hemp. The law would be similar to regulations on industrial hemp in other countries such as Canada and the European Union. Proponents are hoping the Governator, who grew up in a country that allowed the cultivation of industrial hemp will be more amenable than former Gov. Gray who vetoed similar legislation. I hope so too.