farmers
Farmer Accidentally Grows Marijuana
If someone plants tulips instead of roses they may be disappointed at the results. However, one would not likely be subjected to police scrutiny and possible criminal prosecution. A man in Germany made a more serious mistake with his planting. An elderly farmer planted marijuana seeds instead of sunflowers. He was very surprised to see the plants grow to 10 feet tall so quickly but did not seem to know they were marijuana plants. Locals noticed the plants and notified authorities. Police came and made the man plough the field. Officials believed that the cannabis was weak and would not have led to “addiction”. Authorities are still trying to determine whether or not to press charges. Under German law it is illegal to “knowingly” grow marijuana. It would seem the 74 year old farmer easily fits the description of unknowingly growing the cannabis plants.
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New Bill Aims to Fix Hemp Laws
Patients are all too aware of how destructive the war against marijuana has been. For reasons that defy logic marijuana has been treated like the “The Devil’s Smoke”. Another unfortunate by product of the common senseless approach to marijuana has to do with its impact on hemp. Even with low levels of THC that could not produce psychedelic effects, hemp production in the U.S. has been outlawed since the 1930s. Hemp offers so much potential and can be used in food, building materials, rope, paper and has many other practical uses. Many analysts have wondered why our government has not altered hemp laws, especially in this struggling economy.
Fortunately a few elected officials are seeking to change this. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are pushing for a bill to be passed that once again legalize hemp production and could help create jobs. Senator Wyden said “Introducing this bill is the first step toward a common sense policy on hemp that helps create American jobs. It is vital that all advocates for industrial hemp redouble their efforts tow in support in Congress if we are going to reestablish this economically important crop.”