Missouri Farmers Hemp Freedom Act

Missouri SB584, HB1973 and HB2038 would legalize industrial hemp for commercial production, effectively nullifying the federal prohibition on the same. These bills have not received committee assignments at the present time.

PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS to support these important bills.

1. Contact your State Senator. Strongly, but respectfully urge them to cosponsor and support SB584. A phone call has 10x the impact of an email, so make sure to take a few minutes to call.

Contact info here: http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

2. Call your State Representative. Strongly, but respectfully urge them to cosponsor and support HB1973 and HB2038. A phone call has 10x the impact of an email, so make sure to take a few minutes to call.

Contact info here: http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

3. Call Back – any NO or UNDECIDED – in 3-4 days. Make sure to follow-up. If they say YES, be sure to thank them and, if possible, announce their committed YES vote to email and social media contacts. If they say no, politely ask them why. Get the information from them and contact us.

4. Spread the Word. Share this information widely by facebook, twitter, email and other social networks.

5. Report Back. Tell us how your actions went. Click the button below and leave a comment

MOhemp Energy wants to work with Missouri Farmers Grow Hemp

Missouri looks to legalize industrial use of hemp

Missouri looks to legalize industrial use of hemp

Missouri Farmers Lets Grow Hemp

Prеfіlеd on Dес. 1 fоr іntrоduсtіоn during thе 2016 legislative session bу Sеn. Brіаn Munzlіngеr (R-Wіllіаmѕtоwn), Sеnаtе Bіll 584 (SB584) ѕеtѕ uр thе frаmеwоrk tо еffесtuаtе a соmmеrсіаl hеmр fаrmіng рrоgrаm іn the state. It rеаdѕ, in раrt:

Industrial Hemp Seeds-MOhemp Energy

• Industrial hеmр ѕhаll bе аn аgrісulturаl рrоduсt that іѕ ѕubjесt to rеgulаtіоn bу thе department оf аgrісulturе, including compliance wіth аn industrial hеmр рlаnt mоnіtоrіng ѕуѕtеm. 

• Anу grower and handler of industrial hemp ѕhаll obtain a license frоm thе dераrtmеnt. Grоwеrѕ аnd hаndlеrѕ еngаgеd іn thе рrоduсtіоn оf аgrісulturаl hеmр ѕееd shall аlѕо hаvе an аgrісulturаl hеmр ѕееd production реrmіt.

In оrdеr to operate an іnduѕtrіаl hеmр field lаwfullу under SB584, fаrmеrѕ wоuld be rеԛuіrеd tо hаvе thеіr сrорѕ іnѕресtеd by regulators tо insure thеу dо “nоt еxсееd three-tenths of оnе percent on a drу wеіght basis.” Fаrmеr wоuld also bе rеԛuіrеd tо рау “rеаѕоnаblе fееѕ as determined by thе dераrtmеnt [оf аgrісulturе] for thе purpose оf carrying out thе dutіеѕ оf the department.”

Sіnсе thе enactment оf thе unconstitutional fеdеrаl controlled-substances act in 1970, thе Drug Enfоrсеmеnt Agеnсу hаѕ еѕѕеntіаllу рrеvеntеd thе production оf hemp wіthіn thе Unіtеd Stаtеѕ. Whіlе thе аgеnсу сlаіmѕ thаt grоwіng іѕ not рrоhіbіtеd, іt аlѕо stipulates that grоwіng саn only be done with a DEA-іѕѕuеd lісеnѕе.

BEYOND FEDERAL PERMISSION

Eаrlу in 2014, Prеѕіdеnt Barack Obаmа signed a nеw fаrm bіll іntо lаw, which іnсludеd a рrоvіѕіоn allowing a hаndful оf states tо bеgіn limited rеѕеаrсh programs grоwіng hеmр. Thе “hemp аmеndmеnt”

…аllоwѕ Stаtе Agrісulturе Dераrtmеntѕ, соllеgеѕ and unіvеrѕіtіеѕ tо grow hеmр, dеfіnеd аѕ thе non-drug оіlѕееd аnd fіbеr vаrіеtіеѕ оf Cаnnаbіѕ, for асаdеmіс оr аgrісulturаl research рurроѕеѕ, but it applies only tо states whеrе industrial hemp farming is already lеgаl undеr state lаw.

In ѕhоrt, сurrеnt fеdеrаl lаw authorizes thе farming of hеmр – bу research іnѕtіtutіоnѕ оnlу, fоr rеѕеаrсh оnlу. Fаrmіng for соmmеrсіаl рurроѕеѕ by individuals аnd buѕіnеѕѕеѕ іѕ ѕtіll рrоhіbіtеd. Thе Mіѕѕоurі bіll rеjесtѕ thіѕ рrоhіbіtіоn and authorizes соmmеrсіаl fаrmіng and production аnуwау.

OTHER STATES

Bу rejecting any need for fеdеrаl аррrоvаl, SB584 would set thе ѕtаgе tо nullify thіѕ fеdеrаl ban in рrасtісе. Passage would jоіn Mіѕѕоurі with other states – іnсludіng Cоlоrаdо, Orеgоn, South Cаrоlіnа, Cоnnесtісut, Mаіnе, Nоrth Dаkоtа аnd Vеrmоnt – thаt have раѕѕеd ѕіmіlаr mеаѕurеѕ.

Fаrmеrѕ in SE Colorado ѕtаrtеd harvesting thе рlаnt іn 2013, аnd fаrmеrѕ іn Vermont bеgаn hаrvеѕtіng іn 2014, еffесtіvеlу nullіfуіng fеdеrаl rеѕtrісtіоnѕ оn ѕuсh agricultural асtіvіtіеѕ. On Feb. 2, thе Oregon hemp industry оffісіаllу opened for buѕіnеѕѕ and one wееk later, thе fіrѕt lісеnѕе went tо a ѕmаll nоn-рrоfіt group. Laws раѕѕеd last уеаr in Tеnnеѕѕее аnd Sоuth Cаrоlіnа, аnd thіѕ уеаr in Nоrth Dakota, Cоnnесtісut аnd Maine, all legalize hemp even thоugh the federal gоvеrnmеnt соnѕіdеrѕ this рlаnt іllеgаl.

“Whаt thіѕ gets down tо іѕ the роwеr оf the people,” ѕаіd Mike Mаhаrrеу of thе Tеnth Amеndmеnt Cеntеr. “Whеn еnоugh реорlе tеll the feds to роund ѕаnd, thеrе’ѕ nоt much D.C. саn dо tо соntіnuе their unconstitutional рrоhіbіtіоn on thіѕ рrоduсtіvе plant.”

HUGE MARKET FOR HEMP

According to a 2005 Cоngrеѕѕіоnаl Rеѕеаrсh Service rероrt, thе U.S. is thе оnlу dеvеlореd nation that hasn’t dеvеlореd an іnduѕtrіаl hеmр crop for есоnоmіс рurроѕеѕ.

Exреrtѕ ѕuggеѕt thаt the U.S. mаrkеt fоr hеmр іѕ аrоund $600 mіllіоn реr уеаr. They count аѕ mаnу аѕ 25,000 uѕеѕ for іnduѕtrіаl hemp, іnсludіng food, соѕmеtісѕ, plastics аnd bio-fuel. Thе U.S. іѕ currently the wоrld’ѕ #1 іmроrtеr of hеmр fiber for vаrіоuѕ products, wіth China аnd Canada асtіng аѕ the tор twо еxроrtеrѕ іn the world.

During Wоrld Wаr II, thе Unіtеd Stаtеѕ mіlіtаrу rеlіеd heavily on hеmр products, whісh rеѕultеd in thе fаmоuѕ саmраіgn аnd government-produced film, “Hеmр fоr Vісtоrу!”.

SB584 іѕ аn essential first ѕtер tоwаrd hеmр frееdоm іn thе ѕtаtе оf Mіѕѕоurі. It has уеt tо be аѕѕіgnеd tо a committee аt thе рrеѕеnt mоmеnt, аnd wіll be соnѕіdеrеd durіng the nеxt legislative уеаr.

 T

MOleg SB584 Industrial Hemp 2015 Senate Bill

Here is the current MOleg  Industrial Hemp Legislation that will be discussed by the Missouri Senators and hopefully acted upon allowing the Farming of Industrial Hemp in Missouri.

Missouri Farmers Are You Interested in Growing Industrial Hemp?

Missouri SB 584 Allows those licensed by the Department of Agriculture to grow and handle industrial hemp

SB 584 Allows those licensed by the Department of Agriculture to grow and handle industrial hemp

Current Bill Summary

SB 584 - This act exempts industrial hemp, which is defined as Cannabis sativa L. containing no greater than 3/10 of one percent THC, from the definition of marijuana and the list of controlled substances. In addition, this act specifies that it is legal for any person who has received an industrial hemp license from the Missouri Department of Agriculture to grow, harvest, and cultivate industrial hemp. A person who wants to produce and handle agricultural hemp seed for sale to licensed industrial hemp growers and handlers must also receive an agricultural hemp seed production permit from the department. This act creates an industrial hemp agricultural pilot program. This act specifies the requirements for an applicant of an industrial hemp license and agricultural hemp seed production permit. The department must issue a license or permit to an applicant who meets the statutory requirements and upon satisfactory completion of a fingerprint criminal history background check. A license or permit may not be issued to a person who has been found guilty of a felony offense within ten years or a person who, at any time, has been found guilty of a felony offense under state or federal law regarding the possession, distribution, manufacturing, cultivation, or use of a controlled substance. Upon issuance of a license or permit, information regarding all license and permit holders shall be forwarded to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. An industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit is nontransferable except to a spouse or child who otherwise meets the requirements for a license or permit, is valid for a three-year term unless revoked by the department, and may be renewed as determined by the department. This act requires that every grower or handler be subject to an industrial hemp plant monitoring system. The department may inspect a grower or handler to ensure compliance with statutes, department rules, the monitoring system, or a final department order directed to the grower's or handler's industrial hemp operations or activities. The department may also inspect any industrial hemp crop during the crop's growth phase and take a representative composite sample for field analysis. Crop exceeding the allowable THC limits may be detained, seized, or embargoed. This act requires the department to charge growers and handlers reasonable fees as determined by the department and adopt rules to administer the program. The department is also allowed to revoke or refuse to issue or renew an industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit and to impose a civil penalty of not less than $2,500 or more than $50,000 for a violation of the requirements of the license or permit, department rules relating to growing or handling industrial hemp, the monitoring system, or a final order of the department that is specifically directed to the grower's or handler's industrial hemp operations or activities. In addition, the department may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a license or permit for failing to comply with statute or for a violation of department rules regarding agricultural operations or activities other than industrial hemp growing or handling. Under this act, a person who grows industrial hemp without a valid industrial hemp license is subject to an administrative fine of $500 and must obtain an industrial hemp license within 30 days. If the person obtains the license within 30 days, the fine is refunded. If the person fails to obtain a license within 30 days, the person is fined $1,000 per day until the person obtains a license or the crop is destroyed. This act is substantially similar to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 830 (2015) and is similar to SCS/SB 255 (2015), HCS/HB 2054 (2014) and SB 358 (2013), and HB 620 (2011). MEGHAN LUECKE

Sponsor: Munzlinger LR Number: 4164S.01I Fiscal Notes Committee: Last Action: 12/1/2015 - Prefiled Journal Page: Title: Calendar Position: Effective Date: August 28, 2016

No Surprise Sen Blunt Does Not Support Hemp

At Least one-out-of-two Senators supports Hemp Farming in Missouri.  I just learned via an email- see below-I just received from Senator Roy Blunt.  This really is no surprise because I've noticed that the Missouri Senators always seem to split the vote on most of the stuff that comes to vote in the Senate.

Mr Blunts reply did spark something in my mind when he brought up the

 Senator Roy Blunt does not support Hemp Farming in Missouri due to his:

Unfounded belief that Law Enforcement not being able to tell the difference between Hemp and Medical Cannabis.

This falls right inline with all Repukitans denial of things that would help America.  The total disregard that climate change is affecting the World is tops of my list of untruths and unfounded beliefs that are supported by the misinformation system straight from the Koch Brothers themselves.

This also makes me realize that maybe my note to his office did not have enough current information from Law Enforcement, Scientist, State Governors, and even his own partner-in-crime in the US Senate Kentuckys Own Senator Mitch McConnel.  Who has been the driver behind Kentucky's legalization of Hemp Farming.  

So here is a copy of what my next communication will be to Roy Blunts office with data and links to-

 Supporting evidence that Hemp is- easily Distinguishable from Medical Cannabis.

 Supporting evidence that Hemp is easily Distinguishable from Medical Cannabis.

USA Politicians That Support Hemp Farming-

Mitch McConnell's Love Affair with Hemp - POLITICO www.politico.com/magazine/.../mitch-mcconnell-hemp-115671 Politico Mar 2, 2015 - Mitch McConnell's Love Affair with Hemp. How the Kentucky senator picked a fight with the DEA and became one of Washington's top drug ...

McConnell, Paul push legalizing hemp growth - POLITICO www.politico.com/.../mitch-mcconnell-rand-paul-hemp-114928 Politico Feb 5, 2015 - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and Sen. ... “People used to downplay the number of jobs industrial hemp might create ...

Rand Paul even ways in on the Issue of Hemp Legalization- Rand Paul's Position On Weed Legalization Is, Basically, You ...Bustle-Apr 7, 2015 Though Rand Paul says no to marijuana legalization, what he is interested in ... Paul has also pushed to legalize hemp, a less potent version of ...

Rand Paul Hemp - Huffington Post www.huffingtonpost.com/news/rand-paul-hemp/ The Huffington Post Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul Lead Hemp Legalization Fight. HuffingtonPost.com ... Rand Paul Dons 'Hemp Shirt,' Testifies In Favor Of Successful Hemp Effort.

Mr Thomas Duppong pointed out in 2009- "Industrial hemp: How the classification of industrial hemp as marijuana under the controlled substances act has caused the dream of growing industrial hemp in North Dakota to go up in smoke." NDL Rev. 85 (2009): 403.

Also pointed out in the University of Kentucky study by Valerie Vantrees- Industrial Hemp: Global Operations, Local Implications. Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, 1998.

Even the USAs own Ag Department has studied how Industrial Hemp will help farmers and is easily to tell the difference between the two plants-Kraenzel, David G et al. "Industrial hemp as an alternative crop in North Dakota." Agricultural Economics Report 402 (1998).

In the following two pictures you can plainly see the difference in the plants

Medical Cannabis Plants Above

Industrial Hemp Plants Below

Voyles4 Because hemp is a member of thecannabis family, the Federal Government ... In fact, however, the two plants areeasily distinguishable – marijuana

Hemp is another word for cannabissativa or marijuana, but as used these days it ... University molecular biologist, said the two plants are easily

2013-05-16 - Kentucky Farmers Enjoy a Bittersweet Hemp Victory with the Passage of SB 50 ... In addition, hempfields are easily distinguishable from they also say- Farmers say hemp is easily distinguishable from marijuana


Here is Mr Blunts Reply to my original notification- I do like how he addresses me and keeps me in his email address book:

Dear Clean Energy not Oil, Coal, and Facked Gas Scott:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 134, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015.

As you know, S. 134 amends the Controlled Substances Act to remove industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana.  Previously, I have supported provisions in the Farm Bill and through appropriations that would permit State Departments of Agriculture to administer hemp pilot programs in states that have legalized industrial hemp.  

While I support a comprehensive agriculture policy including specialty crops, I have concerns that legalization of industrial hemp could have unintended consequences.  We must ensure that legalization of industrial hemp would not impede the ability of law enforcement agencies to enforce our drug laws effectively.   

Currently, S. 134 is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Should this legislation come before the full Senate for consideration, I will carefully consider and be sure to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind. 

Again, thank you for contacting me. I look forward to continuing our conversation on Facebook and Twitter about the important issues facing Missouri and the country. I also encourage you to visit mywebsite to learn more about where I stand on the issues and sign-up for my e-newsletter.

Sincere regards,

Roy Blunt
United States Senator

Looks Like Sen McCaskill Supports Hemp Farming

Dear Mr. Scott,

Thank you for contacting me regarding industrial hemp and hemp farming.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

With my support, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) pdf.  Commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, this legislation sets policy and funding levels for agriculture and nutrition programs for the next five years.  

The Farm Bill provides critical support to Missouri farmers and ranchers, protects nutrition support for low-income families and other Missourians in need, promotes conservation, and encourages research on biofuels that advance our energy independence, all while helping to reduce spending by $23 billion over the next ten years.

Within this comprehensive legislation, the 2014 Farm Bill included an amendment allowing legalized hemp production in some instances.  Specifically, the amendment allows State Agriculture Departments, colleges, and universities to grow hemp, defined as the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis, for academic or agricultural research purposes, although it applies only to states where industrial hemp farming is already legal under state law.

As you may know, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has also introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015 (S. 134).  This bill would differentiate the definition of "hemp" from "marijuana" and would permit industrial hemp production based on state law.  I understand the many potential uses of hemp and will consider its benefits should legislation related to hemp farming be considered by the full Senate.

The Industrial Hemp Farming Act has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it awaits consideration.  Should this or similar legislation come to the Senate floor for a vote, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Claire McCaskill
United States Senator

P.S. If you would like more information about resources that can help Missourians, or what I am doing in the Senate on your behalf, please sign up for my email newsletter athttp://mccaskill.senate.gov.

Looks Like Missouri Sen McCaskill Supports Hemp Farming