California Hemp Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

[SHRED]

The two Governors have vetoed similar bills so I am not holding my breath on this one.
Perhaps call Brown's office and encourage him to sign?

California Hemp Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
10:51 pm
By Phillip Smith
A bill that would allow farmers in four California counties to grow industrial hemp has passed the state legislature and now sits on the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown (D) awaiting his signature. The bill, Senate Bill 676, the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act, passed the Senate earlier this year, then passed the Assembly last week.

Sponsored by state Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), the bill would allow farmers in those counties to grow industrial hemp for the legal sale of hemp seed, oil, and fiber to manufacturers. The bill specifies that hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and farmers must submit their crops to testing before it goes to market.

The eight-year pilot program would end in 2020, but not before the California attorney general would issue a report on law enforcement impact and the Hemp Industries Association would issue a report on its economic impact.

"California is one step closer to building a successful hemp industry in the Central Valley," said Leno after the Assembly approved the bill on a vote of 49-22 on September 7. The Senate gave its final approval to Assembly amendments the following day.

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http://cannabis.hawaiinewsdaily.com/2011/09/12/california-hemp-bill-awaits-governors-signature/


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[AndyTiedye]

1. Growing Hemp Used to be Considered a Patriotic Duty During Wartime

Prior to modern oil-based synthetics, hemp was essential to our Navy.

Hemp is a great renewable resource today.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. He's got a hard decision here.

On the one hand, The Party will want him to veto it; however, doing so will REALLY REALLY piss off the bill's supporters, which are considerable.

"The bill is endorsed by the California State Grange, the UCFW-5, the Imperial County Farm Bureau, California Certified Organic Growers and other leading farm organizations. In August, the Kings County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support the bill. Significantly, the Kings and Kern County Sheriffs have also submitted letters in support of the bill, with Kings County Sheriff Dan Robinson leading the charge on behalf of law enforcement."

http://www.votehemp.com/letters.html

We're talking Imperial, Kings and Kern Counties here. By ANY measure, these are very conservative counties. I've said all along, at least here in California, even the conservatives are sick of these insane laws against cannabis and it's a point upon which we can unite our efforts.

[msongs]

3. the prostitutes for the cotton lobby object. farmers should see it as a way to make more $$ as

hemp does not require all thos expensive chemicals

[www.HempHope.com]

4. Times are changing....hopefully soon.

That is awesome. I spoke with a guy the other day from a college out in California. He was a member of Norml and was in the process of creating a group on his campus for reform. Pretty cool to say the least!