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Showing posts with label Mitch McConnel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mitch McConnel. Show all posts

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Hemp Farming Act 2018 Video and Transcripts



_________________

McConnell Hemp Bill

McConnell Hemp Bill

By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Paul): S. 2667. A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for State and Tribal regulation of hemp production, and for other purposes; read the first time. Mr. McCONNELL.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 2667 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Hemp Farming Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. HEMP PRODUCTION. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Subtitle G--Hemp Production ``

SEC. 297A. DEFINITIONS. ``In this subtitle: ``(1) Hemp.--The term `hemp' means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. ``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture. ``(4) State.--The term `State' means-- ``(A) a State; ``(B) the District of Columbia; ``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and ``(D) any other territory or possession of the United States. ``(5) State department of agriculture.--The term `State department of agriculture' means the agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture in the State. ``(6) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government' means the governing body of an Indian tribe. ``

SEC. 297B. STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS. ``(a) Submission.-- ``(1) In general.--A State or Indian tribe desiring to have primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp in the State or territory of the Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary, through the State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, a plan under which the State or Indian tribe monitors and regulates that production as described in paragraph (2). ``(2) Contents.--A State or Tribal plan referred to in paragraph (1)-- ``(A) shall only be required to include-- ``(i) a practice to maintain relevant information regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal description of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years; ``(ii) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe; ``(iii) a procedure for the effective disposal of products that are produced in violation of this subtitle; and ``(iv) a procedure to comply with the enforcement procedures under subsection (d); and ``(B) may include any other practice or procedure established by a State or Indian tribe, as applicable, to the extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with this subtitle. ``(3) Relation to state and tribal law.-- ``(A) No preemption.--Nothing in this subsection preempts or limits any law of a State or Indian tribe regulating the production of hemp, to the extent that law is consistent with this subtitle. ``(B) References in plans.--A State or Tribal plan referred to in paragraph (1) may include a reference to a law of the State or Indian tribe regulating the production of hemp, to the extent that law is consistent with this subtitle. ``(b) Approval.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after receipt of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- ``(A) approve the State or Tribal plan if the State or Tribal plan complies with subsection (a); or ``(B) disapprove the State or Tribal plan only if the State or Tribal plan does not comply with subsection (a). ``(2) Amended plans.--If the Secretary disapproves a State or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the State, through the State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, may submit to the Secretary an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with subsection (a). ``(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the development of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a). ``(d) Violations.-- ``(1) In general.--A violation of a State or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to enforcement solely in accordance with this subsection. ``(2) Negligent violations.-- ``(A) In general.--A hemp producer in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, determines that the hemp producer has negligently violated the State or Tribal plan, including by negligently-- ``(i) failing to provide a legal description of land on which the producer produces hemp; ``(ii) failing to obtain a license or other required authorization from the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable; or ``(iii) producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration [[Page S2125]] of more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. ``(B) Corrective action plan.--A hemp producer described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with a plan established by the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, to correct the negligent violation, including-- ``(i) a reasonable date by which the hemp producer shall correct the negligent violation; and ``(ii) a requirement that the hemp producer shall periodically report to the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, on the compliance of the hemp producer with the State or Tribal plan for a period of not less than the next 2 calendar years. ``(C) Result of negligent violation.--Except as provided in subparagraph (D), a hemp producer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to any criminal or civil enforcement action by the Federal Government or any State government, Tribal government, or local government other than the enforcement action authorized under subparagraph (B). ``(D) Repeat violations.--A hemp producer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) 3 times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the third violation. ``(3) Other violations.--If the State department of agriculture or Tribal government in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved under subsection (b), as applicable, determines that a hemp producer in the State or territory has violated the State or Tribal plan with a culpable mental state greater than negligence-- ``(A) the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, shall immediately report the hemp producer to-- ``(i) the Attorney General; and ``(ii) in the case of a State department of agriculture, the chief law enforcement officer of the State; and ``(B) paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the violation. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. ``(f) Effect.--Nothing in this section prohibits the production of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under this section in accordance with other Federal laws (including regulations). ``

SEC. 297C. AUTHORITY TO ISSUE REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES. ``The Secretary shall have sole authority to issue Federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of hemp, including Federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the implementation of section 

297B.''. SEC. 3. FUNDING FOR HEMP RESEARCH. (a) Supplemental and Alternative Crops.--Section 1473D(c)(3)(E) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d(c)(3)(E)) is amended by inserting ``(including hemp (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946))'' after ``material''. (b) Critical Agricultural Materials.--Section 5(b)(9) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178c(b)(9)) is amended by inserting ``, and including hemp (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)'' after ``hydrocarbon-containing plants''. 

SEC. 4. LEGITIMACY OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP RESEARCH. (a) In General.--Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (a) and (b) as subsections (b) and (a), respectively, and moving the subsections so as to appear in alphabetical order; (2) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), in the subsection heading, by striking ``In General'' and inserting ``Industrial Hemp Research''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Study and Report.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of agricultural pilot programs-- ``(A) to determine the economic viability of the domestic production and sale of industrial hemp; and ``(B) that shall include a review of-- ``(i) each agricultural pilot program; and ``(ii) any other agricultural or academic research relating to industrial hemp. ``(2) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).''. (b) Repeal.--Effective on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is repealed. 

SEC. 5. FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE. (a) Definition of Hemp.--Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (11) as paragraphs (9) through (12), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: ``(8) Hemp.--The term `hemp' has the meaning given the term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.''. (b) Insurance Period.--Section 508(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and sweet potatoes'' and inserting ``sweet potatoes, and hemp''. (c) Submission of Policies and Materials to Board.--Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B)-- (A) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (B) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesignated), by striking ``The Corporation shall'' and inserting the following: ``(i) In general.--The Corporation shall''; (C) in clause (i)(I) (as so redesignated), by inserting ``subject to clause (ii),'' before ``will likely''; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(ii) Waiver for hemp.--The Corporation may waive the viability and marketability requirement under clause (i)(I) in the case of a policy or pilot program relating to the production of hemp.''; and (2) in paragraph (3)(C)-- (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) in the case of reviewing policies and other materials relating to the production of hemp, may waive the viability and marketability requirement under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).''. (d) Agricultural Commodity.--Section 518 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1518) is amended by inserting ``hemp,'' before ``aquacultural species''. (e) Research and Development Authority.--Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: ``(K) Waiver for hemp.--The Board may waive the viability and marketability requirements under this paragraph in the case of research and development relating to a policy to insure the production of hemp.''; and (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Corporation''; and (B) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) Waiver for hemp.--The Corporation may waive the marketability requirement under subparagraph (A) in the case of research and development relating to a policy to insure the production of hemp.''. 

SEC. 6. CONFORMING CHANGES TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT. (a) In General.--Section 102(16) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(16) The'' and inserting ``(16)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the''; and (2) by striking ``Such term does not include the'' and inserting the following: ``(B) The term `marihuana' does not include-- ``(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; or ``(ii) the''. (b) Tetrahydrocannabinol.--Schedule I, as set forth in section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)), is amended in subsection (c)(17) by inserting after ``Tetrahydrocannabinols'' the following: ``, except for tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)''. 

SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act authorizes interference with the interstate commerce of hemp (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as added by section 2).

Thursday, September 17, 2015

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

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.

Blunt Dirty Oil Campaign Donation Image
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-
Image result for ky sheriff hemp and pot Supporting evidence that Hemp is- easily Distinguishable from Medical Cannabis.
Image result for ky sheriff hemp and pot

 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 distinguishablemarijuana

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

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