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By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

WHAT: The Silver Tour, promoting medical marijuana in Florida

WHEN: Sunday, January 29th, 2012 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. E.S.T.

WHERE: Temple Shaarei Shalom, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road, west of Boynton Beach (See Google Map Above)

ADMISSION: Free

Reservations: Call 561-364-9054, ext. 101.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Kentucky farmers may soon be able to plant the crop their forefathers grew: hemp.

Farmers throughout the state believe hemp will overtake tobacco as Kentucky's cash crop, creating a significant economic impact, especially after processing centers are built across the state.

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is spearheading the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission pushing to bring the crop back via House Bill 286. If the bill is approved by the General Assembly, Comer will petition federal authorities for a permit for Kentucky to grow hemp.

"It's symbolic," Comer proclaimed. "But this will send a message to Washington that we're serious about this in Kentucky." "There's a void in many family farms," he said. "I believe that industrial hemp is a viable option for family farmers in Kentucky."

"University of Louisville did a study several years ago and said it would create 17,000 jobs immediately," according to Sen. Joe Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville.

By Stephanie Bishop, Hemp News Correspondent

Kentucky's House of Representatives and Senate fell silent last Wednesday for a moment to honor Gatewood Galbraith, remembering his life and service in his beloved home State. Gatewood, an accomplished criminal defense attorney was not one to back down from a fight. His career was focused on civil liberties. He embodied truth and remained dedicated to public service throughout his life and career.

Whether he was debating industrial hemp issues in Kentucky's political realms or leading marches to end the prohibition of the cannabis plant, Gatewood was unwavering in his resolve to inspire people to stand up for truth and preserve civil liberties. Gatewood spent his life watching his State and Country move from an agricultural agrarian society to an industrial synthetic society. Knowing these changes were politically charged for commercial purposes, he spent his time bridging the divide between these two Worlds, proclaiming himself an 'explorer for the truth in a jungle of political overgrowth.'

Gatewood is a true American hero and inspiration for us all.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Kentucky Freedom Fighter Gatewood Galbraith has died at 64 years old. Galbraith spent his lifetime learning and working within the political and legal system. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1974 and from the University Of Kentucky College Of Law in 1977 and became "The People's Champion".

In the early 1990's, Galbraith and Willie Nelson took an historic trip across Kentucky in Galbraith’s red Mercedes Benz Station Wagon that they ran with hemp bio-diesel in order to make a positive impact on and spread the word about the potential of the United States’ bio-diesel industry. The trip inspired Nelson's own bio-diesel company. "He's smart and funny and he speaks the truth. He's a champion for the farmers and the working men and women of the world," Nelson once said of Galbraith.

"Let Not Mankind Bogart Love"

Happy Holidays
from Hemp News

Rich in Omega’s, hemp nuts are vital for a healthy brain and nervous system.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Hempseed's are a plentiful source of dietary fiber, calcium and iron. Whole hempseeds are also a good source of beta-carotene, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Hempseed is usually very safe for those unable to digest nuts, gluten, and lactose. Hemp milk contains 10 essential amino acids, making it a good vegetarian source of protein.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, "Hemp seeds have a rich, nutty flavor, something like sunflower seeds. Hemp milk is made by pulverizing the seeds, blending them with water and straining out the solid residue. The resulting "milk" provides both omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids in a healthy three-to-one ratio."

Weil has also stated "As a physician, I recommend nutritious hemp seeds and oil to anyone interested in maintaining a healthy diet." He believes everyone will benefit when American farmers can grow this amazing crop once again.

By Casper Leitch, Time 4 Hemp/Special to Hemp News

Another federal agency, in a desperate attempt to prevent hemp from being a legal cash crop, has begun to strong-arm the closure of California’s medical marijuana industry. The IRS is now auditing dispensaries and is suddenly applying a section of the tax code, (280-E, designed to bring down drug lords) to filings from years gone by. In doing so, dispensaries such as the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana (MAMM) in Fairfax (owned by Lynette Shaw) and Harborside in Oakland (owned by Steve DeAngelo) are being handed 'PAST-DUE' bills of 2.5 million dollars with 45-days to pay-up or shut-down.

By Anna Diaz, Hemp News Correspondent
Photo by LK, Hemp News/Oregon NORML
Photo by Russ Belville, NORML

The Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards (OMCA) celebrates its tenth anniversary this December 10th at the World Famous Cannabis Cafe in Portland. Registered medical marijuana growers submit their strains to a panel of medical marijuana patients for sampling in the privacy of their homes. Judging results are tabulated with prizes given at the awards banquet.

"I am thrilled to host the Awards right here at the Cafe again this year. All our entries will be tested by event co-sponsors, Green Leaf Lab," Madeline Martinez, owner of the World Famous Cannabis Cafe reports. "The OMCA was the first awards ceremony in the medical marijuana community; incorporating testing of all the entries will make our results much more meaningful."

"Green Leaf Lab is proud to be the official testing laboratory for the Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards," affirms Rowshan Reordan, who represents the lab. All samples will be given the Green Leaf Lab Full Spectrum Cannalysis. This includes testing for potency, pesticide residue and a microscopic mold inspection. Each entrant's results will be displayed using their exclusive Strain Facts card. Information about Green Leaf Labs can be found at www.greenleaflab.org .

The photo below show the company's employees, mostly area farmers in 1917. The company owner is pictured in the back row at the far right.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Established in 1916, the Fairwater Hemp Company was one of the upper midwest's largest hemp producers. It was located adjacent to the booming railroad line and also to the west of the north fork of the Grand River, making it convenient for the production of electricity to power their manufacturing plant. The community of Fairwater, which was founded around the water power of the river in 1848, was officially incorporated in 1921.

In 1917, Fairwater Hemp began using industrial hemp as electrical energy when the river was low by burning the byproducts of their hemp rope manufacture, hemp hurds, to drive a steam engine to produce electricity. This instance is the first documented use of hemp as an energy source.

Although Fairwater hemp operations ceased in 1931, the number of things that can be made from hemp continues to grow today. The possibilities for the plant are endless job producers for those who wish to be innovative. It is this writers opinion, we must re-introduce this agricultural crop to our society, now more than ever.

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. develops renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from flax, hemp and other bast fibers.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT) announced that it has entered into a short-term Crailar Flax fiber development agreement with Carhartt to support evaluation of processing Crailar Flax fiber in premium grade work wear.

Established in 1889 and based in Dearborn, Michigan, Carhartt is a global work wear brand with a heritage of developing rugged apparel for workers on and off the job.

"Carhartt aligns perfectly with our current portfolio and we are excited to add them to our growing mix of partner brands," said Ken Barker, CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies.

"Our testing to-date has demonstrated significant qualities that will be beneficial to the work wear market, including increased tensile strength, reduced shrinkage and high dye uptake that can reduce chemical usage," Barker continued.

"Perhaps most important is Crailar's ability to wick moisture, which provides Carhartt with a performance advantage by ensuring consumers stay cooler in hot summer months. We look forward to demonstrating this during our development period with Carhartt," explained Barker

Canada is investing in innovation that will help develop new bio-composites derived from hemp fibers.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

SASKATCHEWAN - Members of Parliament have pledged funding for the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) to study hemp fibers with the goal of making composites that perform better than fiberglass and plastic.

"Finding new and innovative uses for our flax and hemp will greatly benefit farmers and the economy in Western Canada," said MP Bruinooge. "This investment will enable farmers to adapt their growth and harvesting regimes to optimize fibre performance, increasing the demand for their crops and resulting in increased profitability."

The investment through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is designed to study the sub-molecular structure of hemp fibers.

"This exciting collaboration between the CIC and our world-class Canadian synchrotron facility will provide our local and national biomass industries with a key competitive edge in a growing international marketplace," says CIC Manager of Product Innovation Simon Potter. "The information we generate with the Canadian Light Source will support the high penetration of agricultural fibers into building materials and composites for automotive and aerospace products."

The transatlantic cable, completed in August 1858, was the beginning of instantaneous communication, and hemp was there.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Our country has a history of growth and progress, from Pony Express letter to the iPhone call. Through the agricultural age to the industrial and straight into the technological age. Our citizens changing over time as new discoveries about our capabilities are made, we have gotten better at so many things, and yet continue to struggle in others.

Biomass Fuels From Hemp (PDF)

By Agua Das1 and Thomas B. Reed2

Historically Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) has been a very high yielding plant (Haney 1975). Assuming that hemp produces up to 4 tons/acre seed plus 10 tons/acre stalks. Table 1 shows how many gallons of liquid fuel import could be saved by each of the following proven conversion routes.

Recent hemp yield data is largely unavailable, due to restrictions on the growth of hemp. Cultivation of hemp currently requires permits under Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) form 225. Patented hemp seed varieties are now available in the EC and Eastern Europe which are effectively denatured and drug free. The hemp plant is a promising high yield biomass fuel crop cultivar and both production and utilization should be included in the DOE/TVA and regional biomass screening programs. One would hope that DOE regional biomass program contractors should not have difficulty qualifying for the necessary permits.

Silver Tour: Century Village Program (PDF)

Teaching Seniors the Benefits of Medical Marijuana - Century Village, Florida - October 4, 2011 10AM

Robert Platshorn - Presenter - Director of Florida NORML, Founder of the Silver Tour, Author of Black Tuna Diaries. Featured in the hit film, Square Grouper Robert founded the largest chain of schools in Europe. Once he returned home he became the second largest distributor of Breyers Ice Cream. Robert smuggled marijuana from Colombia in the 1970's and spent 30 yrs in prison for a non-violent pot offense.

In regards to Robert Plashorn, the late, great Billy Mays said "Bobby Platshorn is a legendary pitchman and one of the all time greats".

Dr Julie Holland - Video - Attending Psychiatrist, Bellevue Hospital New York, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Holland has appeared on; The Today Show, Good Morning America, Peter Jenning and Live with Paula Zahn. She will present an introduction to medical marijuana that is the most comprehensive consensus of physicians and researchers.

Karen Goldstein - University of Bridgeport - National Director of NORML. (National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws) Karen is an activist and parent of a medical marijuana patient. She will address medical marijuana for Epilepsy and vision.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

On September 18th, Oregon NORML entered a team for the second consecutive year into the Komen Race for the Cure. Their team name, NORML People.

NORML chapters in Virginia and Texas also participated in the race this year thanks in part to encouragement from the NORML Women's Alliance. Cheyanne Weldon, Secretary of Texas NORML reports that Texas NORML and Dallas Fort Worth NORML both had teams this year.

Stacy Thies from the Sister-to-Sister program, a new coalition between the NORML Women's Alliance and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, created educational cheering stations in both San Diego and Arizona.

"It's important for us to step out of our cannabis communities and participate in events like this. It helps remove the stereotypes that slow us down in this movement," said Diaz. "I am hopeful that even more NORML groups will join in next year."

7th Annual Portland Hempstalk - September 10-11, 2011 - Kelley Point Park, Portland, Oregon

A compelling mix of upbeat music, a cannabis law reform message and a focus on industrial hemp as the answer to many of our practical needs, the seventh annual Portland Hempstalk is set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. September 10th and 11th at Kelley Point Park, located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Co-sponsored by The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF), Green Leaf Lab and John Lucy, Attorney at law, the event is free to attendees of all ages. With more than 40,000 people expected to attend, it will wrap up the summer festival season with a bang.

This year's Hempstalk will also feature over one hundred vendor booths offering delicious food and irresistible merchandise, and a Hemposium, which will feature informational panels on a variety of cannabis and hemp-related topics. Speakers include THCF director Paul Stanford, NORML outreach coordinator and radio host Russ Belville and many others. Headlining musical acts include Hempstalk 2011 Talent Search Winner, The Sindicate, iconic Las
Vegas rappers Los Marijuanos, and a plethora of bands committed to end the war on cannabis.

Seattle Hempfest history book hits the streets

By Seattle Hempfest Staff

SEATTLE – How did a humble a group of community activists build the world’s largest pot rally? Protestival: A Twenty Year Retrospective of Seattle Hempfest, tells how the Hempfest was built from the ground up with little more than a vision and the conviction necessary to take that dream to fruition. Protestival details the long, hard struggle to build the world’s largest all volunteer annual free-speech rally.

To note this year's 20th anniversary milestone, Seattle Hempfest Executive Director Vivian McPeak has written a book about the two decades that the flagship annual event of America's cannabis culture has been advancing the cause of reform. The world's largest marijuana law reform gathering, the Seattle Hempfest draws hundreds of thousands of attendees down to the Seattle waterfront each year. This year's event is Aug. 19 - 21.

"Only an Independent who doesn't care who gets credit for doing what's right for the people of the state of Kentucky stand the best chance of untying the Gordian Knot and letting both parties operate in the fashion that the well intentioned membership want to work. We're asking you to vote for an Independent who wants to work with you to get the job done." Gatewood Galbraith

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate Gatewood Galbraith (Independent) recently spoke in Portland, Oregon to raise money for his current campaign. Galbraith talked about the history of hemp as a cash crop in Kentucky, his lifetime spent learning and working within the political and legal system, and also his campaign and running-mate Dea Riley.

Explaining his view of Kentucky's current "electile dysfunction," Galbraith addressed the U. S. Governments nanny-state thought-mind (whom we elected) whose goal is to protect us from ourselves, the concept of sovereign human beings and rediscovering the American Revolution with our voices and our votes. "I'm going to reconstruct Kentucky's government…and we're going to rediscover whether America still has a pulse. I believe that people will come from all over America and around the world [to Kentucky] to see what it's like to live free," said Galbraith.

By Paul Stanford, Hemp News Director

KINK Proudly Presents the Hempstead World Music Festival 2011. Other sponsors include Humboldt Hemp Ale, Bend Radio Group, Comfort Suites, Full Court Press, THFC Clinics, Stew Dodge Sound, Oregon Constant Gardener and River's Edge Cafe & Catering.

This summer's show with Toots and the Maytals, Dubtonic Kru, Nikii Davis, Rhythm Culture, Kool Johnny Kool and John Trudell & Bad Dog will directly benefit the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 and Hempstalk 2011.

Tour dates include: Eugene on Saturday, July 2nd at the Lane Co. Fairground; Redmond/Bend on Sunday, July 3rd at the Deschutes Co. Fairground; Portland on Monday, the 4th of July at the Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater.

Hempstead and Happy Hempy Productions are organizing these benefits on behalf of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012, an Oregon initiative petition campaign to restore hemp, and for the Portland Hempstalk Festival, an annual free festival at Portland's Kelley Point Park on the second weekend of September.

The proceeds will be shared 50/50 between OCTA2012 and Hempstalk.

For more information, please contact http://www.hempsteadworldmusicfestival.com/

Drafted by Jon Marsh of The Hemp Consultants

While Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were drafting the U.S. Constitution (on hemp paper), each was farming cannabis hemp. Said Jefferson, who would later become the 3rd President of the United States:

"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country."

The U.S. President before Jefferson was John Adams. Adams too had something to say about hemp:

"We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption."

And the very first President of the United States, General George Washington, is infamous for writing:

"Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."

The Hemp Consultants represents over 100 million citizens who wish to farm, medicate with, and consume cannabis hemp. We are collectively embracing these words from our Founding Fathers, the very men who fought to establish what was once considered the freest nation on Earth. We are also embracing the actions of the Founding Mothers, women who stood by these men during this tumultuous time in our nations history, feeding, clothing and tending to soldiers during our country's citizen-based Declaration of Independence.

By Ms. Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Correspondent

Pitchman, businessman, and world traveler, Robert Platshorn, aka Bobby Tuna, has also served more federal time than any other non-violent marijuana inmate, having spent 28 years in federal prison. Platshorn has compiled his memoirs into his book, The Black Tuna Diaries, in which he tells his life story intermingled with his story of smuggling marijuana.

The book itself reads more like an adventure story than a collection of memoirs. Readers must remember that this is a true story, and not a fictitious compilation about bringing Columbia’s ‘Santa Maria Gold’ marijuana to America.

Woven through the smuggling tale is the story of Platshorn’s life as a boy in Philadelphia, growing up with the South Street Gang, on to the pitches on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, and the energy that pulsed through his life and propelled him in many business endeavors in the United States and abroad, legally and illegally.

"This election will prove to be the most historic election in Kentucky history. Kentucky can step forward by electing a leadership team that will serve our Nation as an example of how government can work for the people, by the people." - Gatewood Galbraith

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Gatewood Galbraith is currently campaigning for Kentucky's 2011 gubernatorial race as an Independent, free from any party affiliations, and describes himself as free from hidden agenda. Galbraith is focusing his campaign on young voters by proposing a freeze on college tuition expenditures, a $5,000 educational voucher to high school graduates for college or technical school, and legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes, which he estimates could save the state $500 million to $1 billion in medical costs each year. His pledge is to end the "synthetic subversion" in his state.

It is this writer's belief that Galbraith is the change Kentucky, and our country, needs. He would be an intuitive Governor, helping to create thousands of jobs by implementing his forward-thinking plans. Bottom-line, he is running for the betterment of Kentucky, which has been plagued by perennial problems.

A Note from Gatewood: When people ask....

"Every generation must re-win its own freedoms." - Gatewood Galbraith

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

Who: 2011 Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate, Gatewood Galbraith; Executive Director of Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH), Paul Stanford; and Time 4 Hemp Radio Host Casper Leitch.

What: Fundraiser for Gatewood Galbraith 2011 Kentucky Gubernatorial Campaign. Topic is "Industrial Hemp in America". Free to attend, but donations are accepted. Refreshments provided.

When: Saturday, May 14 - 3:30-5:30pm

Where: Clinton Street Theater
2522 South East Clinton Street
Portland, Oregon 97202-1239
(503) 238-8899
http://www.clintonsttheater.com

Why: Now's the Time....Whether you support the Teapot Party, Tea Party or any other party, this candidate appeals to a wide variety of voters and is sure to stir up some governmental changes across the United States.

Gatewood Galbraith is currently campaigning for Kentucky's 2011 gubernatorial race as an Independent, free from any party affiliations, and describes himself as free from hidden agenda. His pledge is to end the "synthetic subversion" in his state.

Learning from the Past; Looking to the Future

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

In 1985, the Oregon Marijuana Initiative (OMI), with petitioners including Jack Herer, Paul Stanford, John Sajo and countless others, collected over 87,000 signatures necessary to place the issue of legalization on the ballot.

In 1986, the initiative officially became Oregon's Ballot Measure 5. The measure, which sought to legalize cannabis, united activists' from across the state. By some estimates, cannabis was Oregon's largest cash crop in 1986.

The ballot measure was ultimately rejected by Oregon voters with 279,479 "Yes" and 781,922 "No" votes, or 26.33% support.

It has been 25 years since that vote and societal attitudes have continued to change toward cannabis. The prohibitionist propaganda has faded with time and the debunking of racist mythology. We are clearer in educating ourselves and others about this valuable plant. Medicinal cannabis has become legal in Oregon and across the country. Farmers are beginning to see the value that hemp could bring to our economy as well with hemp food, fuel, clothing, paper, building materials and so much more.

Oregonians for the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act of 2012 are currently circulating petitions for Initiative 9, to make hemp and cannabis legal in Oregon.

The Office of the Secretary of State received a certified ballot title from the Attorney General on February 24, 2011, for initiative petition #9, proposing a statutory amendment, for the General Election of November 6, 2012.

When it is passed, this groundbreaking legislation will: regulate the legal sale of marijuana to adults through state-licensed stores, allow adults to grow their own, license Oregon farmers to grow marijuana for state-licensed stores and allow unlicensed Oregon farmers to grow cannabis hemp for fuel, fiber and food. The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 (OCTA2012) will raise an estimated $140 million a year by taxing commercial cannabis sales to adults 21 years of age and older, and save an estimated $61.5 million as law enforcement, corrections and judicial attention can focus on violent crimes and theft. We estimate this will amount to $200 million a year more funding for state government. Ninety percent of the proceeds will go into the state general fund, 7% for drug treatment programs, one percent each for drug education in public schools, and two new state commissions to promote hemp biofuel, hemp fiber and food.

The certified ballot title is as follows:

Allows personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale