Hemp reform has been a hot topic of discussion amongst lawmakers all over the United States, and Pennsylvania is no exception. There is a bipartisan effort to legalize hemp in Pennsylvania during this legislative session. If successful, Pennsylvania would join a growing list of states that have passed hemp reform. Per PennLive.com:
Senate Bill 50 would allow the cultivation of hemp through research programs at colleges and universities. It’s sponsored by Sens. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, and Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, two of the supporters of medical marijuana legislation that itself may see passage this year.
“From paper to fuel, clothing to biodegradable plastics, the return of industrial hemp would give Pennsylvania’s farmers the opportunity to grow an in-demand crop that benefits tens of millions of people all over the world,” Schwank said, in a written statement.
Hemp, a member of the cannabis species, contains very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, the substance that leads to the high smokers feel from marijuana.
Whether it be at the local level, or better yet state level, hemp reform is a growing topic in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania farmers are hardworking, honest people that deserve to help their families by growing a harmless crop that can be used in thousands of ways.
A person literally would have to smoke a hemp joint the size of a telephone pole in order to become intoxicated. Hemp cannot be used to hide marijuana plants because cross pollination would ruin the marijuana plants. So what is the big deal Pennsylvania lawmakers, and what are you waiting for?
Anthony Johnson
Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.
