Oregon: Hemp Bill Clears Legislature With Little Opposition

Submitted by restore on Thu, 07/02/2009 - 23:36

Politicians say demand exists for common ingredient

Mitch Lies, Capital Press

There is a truth that must be heard!SALEM - After some jocular testimony, the Oregon House on Monday, June 29, gave its stamp of approval to a bill allowing possession and production of industrial hemp.

The bill, which previously passed the Senate, now goes to the desk of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. His spokeswoman, Anna Richter Taylor, said the governor didn't know whether he would sign it.

Even with the governor's signature, hemp production will remain illegal in Oregon under federal law.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, who sponsored the bill, said he believes hemp can be a viable rotation crop for Oregon farmers.

Portland Democratic Rep. Jules Bailey in his floor speech in support of the bill said hemp is currently used in milk, granola, tortilla chips and other products. The U.S. market for hemp-based products has a value exceeding $300 million, he said.

"Why shouldn't our farmers be in position to supply this?" Prozanski said.

U.S. manufacturers get their hemp today from Canadian producers, where it is legal to grow.

Bailey also during his speech held up a T-shirt with "Rope, Not Dope" printed on it.

Rep. Mike Schaufler, D-Happy Valley, then asked Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, if growers would be allowed to burn hemp fields.

Holvey sponsored a bill that passed the House earlier that day that essentially banned field burning in the Willamette Valley.

In the end, the House passed the bill 46-11.


Source: http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?SectionID=67&SubSectionID=619&Arti...


Related: Related: Oregon: Senate Passes Hemp Bill - Sixth US State to Say Yes to Hemp in 2009
http://hemp.org/news/oregon-passes-hemp-bill-sixth-state-in-2009

Oregon: House OKs Industrial Hemp
http://www.hemp.org/news/oregon-house-passes-hemp-bill-676