Law & Politics
Used with permission from Cannabis Camera

Photo Credit: Cannabis Camera

In 2009, the Oregon Legislature legalized industrial hemp growing and processing in our state. The approved legislation has languished, waiting for the federal government to lift its ban on cannabis and hemp.

While the ban hasn’t been lifted, the latest statement from the Department of Justice that promises not to interfere with states’ choices regarding cannabis certainly opens the door for hemp in Oregon.

Recently, Representative Earl Blumenauer sent a letter to the Oregon Department of Agriculture to encourage them to do what they need to do to implement the law. In case they missed it, Blumenauer let them know about the federal decision to honor state laws. His letter is dated September 18, 2013, which means that they have had a chance to read it. According to their website, the Department of Agriculture is just starting the process of rule making. Had they completed this task back when the law passed, Oregon farmers could be close to their first hemp harvest, right behind Colorado.

In his letter, Blumenauer also states:

“American retailers sell over $300 million worth of products containing hemp seeds and fibers every year, using hemp grown in other countries. Implementing the law for the cultivation of industrial hemp would allow Oregon farmers to tap into this market.”

Oregon needs to catch up to Colorado to become a strong competitor in this new market. With Oregon’s notoriously rickety economy, all opportunities to create jobs and increase our state’s revenue should be a top priority. It is up to us to tell them that this is what we need to see happen.

A Call to Action for Industrial Hemp in Oregon - Weedist

A Call to Action for Industrial Hemp in Oregon - Weedist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To help move Oregon’s hemp law into practice, we need to contact the Oregon Department of Agriculture and light a fire under them. We need to participate in the rules committee that is forming now. What happens here in Oregon will pave the way for every other state that follows. So, even if you are not an Oregonian, your thoughts and opinions matter, too.

Making that phone call or writing that note will not take up much of your time. It will make a difference beyond Oregon for our country, our environment and our children. Please make a call or send a note right now.

Here’s who to contact by mail:

Oregon State Department of Agriculture Chairs, 635 Capitol St, NE, Salem, OR 97301-2532.

Here’s how to get on the email list:

http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/IndustrialHemp

Here’s their phone number: 503-986-4620.

Please remember to include your zip code, even if you are contacting them from outside Oregon. Here is all you need to say, regardless of how you choose to make contact:

“Please do all you can to get the necessary rules in place for Oregonians to cultivate and process industrial hemp. It will help our troubled economy.”

Remember, if we don’t tell the government what we want them to do, they can’t do it. So, please take a minute and call or write. Let’s end all forms of cannabis prohibition together.

A Call to Action for Industrial Hemp in Oregon - Weedist