Colonial days saw the use of hemp in many industries, and even today it is still used for natural products. But with the illegalization of hemp, the use of these products has been lessened as hemp supplies are harder to gain. With Kentucky’s state vote, more states look to be going the move to make hemp legal once more. The reality is we have not stopped its production, only found it harder to control the operations involved. But more importantly is the battle that has started between the states and federal government on which has more power and authority. This one issue may be the one to decide the future of politics in the U.S., as Washington is forced further into a corner.
Hemp was brought to the United States early in on, as the colonial farmers always looking for a product they could use and grow well. Along side of tobacco, this plant was growing across the South, the region weather and conditions well suited for this plants growth. This is one reason Kentucky voted for its return this last week, as a legalized cash crop it can replace the tobacco and others loss crops the southern states are having problems with. The need to restart economics in the southern states has become an official fight, one the state governments mean to win. But the federal government is still intending to have a say in this as well.
It is still illegal to grow or possess hemp by the federal authority standards, they call it marijuana and state is a narcotic. The feds still have it registered as illegal, so there is concern they will start to raid the fields and industries which are starting operations. But with all the federal land already being used for such growing, should they be raiding those who are acting legally? The war on drugs has been going on for a long time, and the cost increase with still no means to end it once and for all. The rest of the world has taken notice of the legal needs involved with hemp, so the products are still being made just not taxed by the U.S.
The states have taken notice of marijuana use over the world; it has not shown to be the entire matter the federal government has stated it would be. Yes it can be addictive, even cause people to lose control, but hemp is a plant like all others with more than one use. It is because of this the states are reviving it as a legal product, to assure the future growth if industry and natural alternatives too many oil based products. But that has not calmed the federal agencies required to regulate the product, nor to calm the fears many have over the abuses cause by the growers. There will be a difference, the illegal growers have not taken responsibility for the damages they cause, legal growers will not have such options.
Illegal operations have gotten out of control, not only causing environmental damages, but also endangering the public in neighborhoods and on federal parks. The cost in lives is one thing we can not overlook, there seems to be no means to hold these illegal operations accountable. But legal operation can be, as they are tightly regulated by the states which have so far accepted the legal growing. And if this number of state increases, it will have sufficient power to move to mandate federal regulations change. This offers to put the state and federal governments against each other to decide the outcome, a battle not long off.
Already 32 states have legislations to regulate, Kentucky makes the 20th to accept legalization and regulating cannabis. An issue of concern to federal authorities as it was by state vote hemp was removed from legal status to begin with, and now may be legal once more do to the same. But it was not the abuses or addiction which caused it removal, it was the prejudices of a few directed at others. And now those same prejudices can no longer stand the same light of day, so even with all the addiction evidence there is this will be a fight. The core of the issue is whether the states have the ability any more to regulate what federal law does. Thus by state majority to control and redirect the federal operations if needed.
Forcing the federal government into a corner is not the best means to make a change but it does seem to get their attention.The political future in Washington D.C. is getting forced more in to the mainstream, as the need for alternative products and resources grows. The ability to grow crops which in themselves provide other resources will assure long and lasting operations.\ But both the addiction properties and legal mauneuvers needed are something which must be watched as well. The end of this matter will not just go away, already stocks are being sold totaling over $1 billion to support the growth of this industry.
Contact: Michael Pulse MPulse@truth-things.biz Author of: The Truth of Things
CEO of Stone Rose LLC Profile on Elance: http://mpulse-stone-rose.elance.com
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