industrail hemp. how would lifting the ban on hemp crops affect the economy?

[KG]

one of the more insane spin-offs of the ridiculous war on drugs was a banning of growing hemp in the US.

with the first real cracks in MJ prohibition begining to show, what would the lifting of the ban of raising this fast grwoing, diesease resistant, versitile plant mean to agriculture and a faltering economy?

[dkofos]

1. We could reduce the amount of corn used to make ethanol.

[geardaddy]

5. Bingo. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. We could put a lot of folks back to work

growing hemp for biofuels, fabric, and rope, among other things. Since hemp can be grown on "marginal lands" that means that more places can grow it. Hope the CA law legalizing marijuana is extended to hemp--what a boon to any state doing it!

[Warpy]

3. The people growing monoculture pine trees for wood pulp

would likely feel a lot of pain since hemp grows faster, is cheaper and easier to process for paper.

Mother Earth would breathe a sigh of relief.

Hemp oil can be substituted for petroleum in a lot of applications. It's also a decent nutritional oil. Hemp seed can be fed to livestock.

There are a dozen industries I can think of offhand that would spring up around processing hemp, more than enough to employ everybody from the wood pulp industry at a much less dangerous job.

[bluethruandthru]

4. Hemp seed is nutritious for humans too!

and it tastes good!

[Bobbieo]

6. It would be great for the economy! Create a new industry and jobs

[Blaze Diem]

7. Makes a great hair & skin conditioner also. Ask Canada.

Canada grows this most versatile product.

[gkhouston]

8. IIRC, it's an indigenous plant in Kentucky/Virginia/the Carolinas, where tobacco is

grown, so it could be a replacement crop for tobacco. :thumbsup:

[crimsonblue]

9. tobacco is still big money

especially as the vast majority of American tobacco is exported to Europe, which has more strict regulations on smokeable tobacco (the US has these same regulations, but they only apply to the production of tobacco. This is why cigarettes in Europe taste much better than in the US).

[KG]

10. actually, i was wondering if anyone knew of a study or something,