Should the farming of hemp and or marijuana be allowed in the U.S.?

The Mark said:

I think you may have your terms mixed up slightly in the poll choices, as you're calling both versions of Cannabis the same scientific name.

However, I would say that hemp should be 100% legal for growth and processing.

Marijuana should perhaps be similar to tobacco and alcohol.

Since the plants are identical in appearance, it wouldn’t make sense to allow hemp growth while still having marijuana illegal.

Unless some way of ensuring only the hemp version of cannabis is grown is out there…

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Is it legal to cultivate hemp?

Basher said:

Is it legal to cultivate hemp?

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No. Hemp looks too much like the devil weed, and some people could plant some illegal crops camouflaged by the legal stuff.

We must stamp out the devil weed, as it makes darkies think that they are the equal of whites, and makes white women want to sleep with black men. At least, that was the rationale for having outlawed it in the first place.

Ockham said:

I would suspect smoking hemp leaves would leave one retching with a very sore throat.

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You would die of carbon monoxide poisoning before you caught a THC buzz.

spud_meister said:

It'll demolish already established industries and quite possibly result in a loss of jobs.

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Do you think it is likely that those jobs would be replaced with jobs involving the hemp and or marijuana cultivating, hemp products etc. ?

MusicAdventurer said:

Do you think it is likely that those jobs would be replaced with jobs involving the hemp and or marijuana cultivating, hemp products etc. ?

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Marijuana legalization would be no worse than the sale of alcohol.

spud_meister said:

It'll demolish already established industries and quite possibly result in a loss of jobs.

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And those industries will be replaced by new ones, and that job loss will be replaced by the new jobs a legal marijuana trade would bring. Combine that with the crippling effect it will have on the cartels, and it's a win win.

Your Star said:

And those industries will be replaced by new ones, and that job loss will be replaced by the new jobs a legal marijuana trade would bring. Combine that with the crippling effect it will have on the cartels, and it's a win win.

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I'm far more interested in other uses for cannabis plants, especially those that are commonly called “hemp”.

From what I’ve heard and read, there are many industrial uses for them, including perhaps a better source of bio fuel than corn (and most definitely one that doesn’t eat into food production).

The Mark said:

I'm far more interested in other uses for cannabis plants, especially those that are commonly called “hemp”.

From what I’ve heard and read, there are many industrial uses for them, including perhaps a better source of bio fuel than corn (and most definitely one that doesn’t eat into food production).

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There's something like 25,000 uses for hemp, it's an amazing thing. Damn shame it's outlawed. All the jobs that could be associated it would certainly help our economy.

TheDemSocialist said:

Can someone make one honest reason why this should not be legal with logical, true facts?

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I'll give it a try, I think one of the biggest reasons is because they haven't come up with a test yet to tell if you are legally under the influence (for driving and such) Then they will have to come up with standards of how much THC will be allowed in a joint. Who will be “sold” permits to grow they will have to qualify under government regulations. Those are just the more difficult things they haven't looked into …. there are going to be a multitude of other laws that will need to be passed, thing like criminal charges for unlicensed growers. (which will probably be even more severe then they are now) distribution areas need to be set up for growers, processing laws and standards. The list goes on and on ..

Then you get to the political arena … there are still many that don't want it legalized, and politics being what they are, if you are from an area where 10 or 15 % of the voters don't want it legalized, and you are in a close race .. low and behold .. you are against it .. cause winning is everything is politics.

Now for those that think legalizing will reduce crime, I really doubt that will be the case, at least not for a long while, remember when you legalize something, that means the government will have it's hand out at every turn, their will be fee's and taxes to the growers, fees and taxes on the processors, fees and taxes on the retailers. Then the states are going to get their hand in the tax profits. By the time you go in to legally purchase pot, it's going to be at a higher price then you are now paying. That merely means that dealers might have to lower their prices a bit, for the black market to be a viable option.... which means the cartels from mexico might see a few billion dollars less per year, but they will still be making a very tidy profit.

Now onto the crime stuff, comparing alcohol as by far more dangerous than pot is absurd ….. one being legal the other not, one being able to be tested easily for being under the influence, the other with no available tests. Not sure where any of you are from, but not many if any of my friends readily admitted to a cop that they have had a couple of tokes when questioned. Where as many of them will admit to having a couple of beers.

Now as to my feelings on legalizing it .. I don't have a problem one way or the other, my feelings are the same people that would abuse alcohol are the same that will abuse pot, I see no difference in my friends that get off work .. go home and have a couple of beers, and those that go home and smoke. Rational responsible people will not be a problem either drinking .. or smoking

The Barbarian said:

I'll give it a try, I think one of the biggest reasons is because they haven't come up with a test yet to tell if you are legally under the influence (for driving and such) Then they will have to come up with standards of how much THC will be allowed in a joint. Who will be “sold” permits to grow they will have to qualify under government regulations. Those are just the more difficult things they haven't looked into …. there are going to be a multitude of other laws that will need to be passed, thing like criminal charges for unlicensed growers. (which will probably be even more severe then they are now) distribution areas need to be set up for growers, processing laws and standards. The list goes on and on ..

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New Device Claims ROadside Testing for Marijuana

There is new technology being developed to detect marijuana intoxication for police and state troopers.

THC is already fairly easily measured in laboratories. There is no reason why THC percentage should not be clearly labeled on commercially sold marijuana, just like ABV is printed on all alcohol containers.

Why do marijuana growers need to be licensed? I've always advocated that marijuana growing be treated the same as homebrewing or home wineries. There is a clear legal distinction between hombrewers and commercial brewers.

I have no problem with federally mandated marijuana quality controls, the same laws that keep our precious, precious booze high quality, regulated by the FDA.

The Barbarian said:

Then you get to the political arena … there are still many that don't want it legalized, and politics being what they are, if you are from an area where 10 or 15 % of the voters don't want it legalized, and you are in a close race .. low and behold .. you are against it .. cause winning is everything is politics.

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I think it's quite clear that attitudes towards marijuana have changed significantly over the past few decades. Those 10-15% you speak of are usually the old folks, clinging on to their outdated politics. Give it another 10 to 15 years, the vast majority will be crying loud and clear to legalize and tax ganja. Especially when the nation is in a government debt crisis; how do you rationalize millions and millions of dollars being spent fighting against a plant that most people find at worst a marginally preferable alternative to alcohol or at best a beneficial wonder plant?

The Barbarian said:

Now for those that think legalizing will reduce crime, I really doubt that will be the case, at least not for a long while, remember when you legalize something, that means the government will have it's hand out at every turn, their will be fee's and taxes to the growers, fees and taxes on the processors, fees and taxes on the retailers. Then the states are going to get their hand in the tax profits. By the time you go in to legally purchase pot, it's going to be at a higher price then you are now paying. That merely means that dealers might have to lower their prices a bit, for the black market to be a viable option.... which means the cartels from mexico might see a few billion dollars less per year, but they will still be making a very tidy profit.

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That's assuming a very big part of your scenario, of course. But again, I come back to sweet, sweet booze; why isn't there a black market for alcohol? More people drink alcohol than do any other drug. It's legal and regulated pretty fairly; teenagers have money and want to buy it, so the demand is there. But yet, we don't see a thriving black market for moonshine and bathtub gin, being sold by booze-pushers on the corner to innocent children, unaware of the quality of strength of the alcohol. God knows you can go blind from ill-produced hooch! So why doesn't this scenario present itself in an already popular, well-known and easily accessible drug? Does the same really hold true to a legalized-chronic situation?

The Barbarian said:

Now onto the crime stuff, comparing alcohol as by far more dangerous than pot is absurd ….. one being legal the other not, one being able to be tested easily for being under the influence, the other with no available tests. Not sure where any of you are from, but not many if any of my friends readily admitted to a cop that they have had a couple of tokes when questioned. Where as many of them will admit to having a couple of beers.

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Again, there are already tests available to test for THC intoxication.

Effects of THC on driving performance, physiological state and subjective feelings relative to alcohol.
Ronen A, Gershon P, Drobiner H, Rabinovich A, Bar-Hamburger R, Mechoulam R, Cassuto Y, Shinar D.
Source

Work Physiology, Human Factors and Traffic Safety, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. adiro@bgu.ac.il
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

The effects of marijuana or THC on driving has been tested in several studies, but usually not in conjunction with physiological and subjective responses and not in comparison to alcohol effects on all three types of measures.
OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effects of two dosages of THC relative to alcohol on driving performance, physiological strain, and subjective feelings.
METHOD:

We tested the subjective feelings and driving abilities after placebo, smoking two dosages of THC (13 mg and 17 mg), drinking (0.05% BAC) and 24 h after smoking the high dose THC cigarette, while monitoring physiological activity of the drugs by heart rate. Fourteen healthy students, all recreational marijuana users, participated in the study.
RESULTS:

Both levels of THC cigarettes significantly affected the subjects in a dose-dependent manner. The moderate dose of alcohol and the low THC dose were equally detrimental to some of the driving abilities, with some differences between the two drugs. THC primarily caused elevation in physical effort and physical discomfort during the drive while alcohol tended to affect sleepiness level. After THC administration, subjects drove significantly slower than in the control condition, while after alcohol ingestion, subjects drove significantly faster than in the control condition. No THC effects were observed after 24 h on any of the measures.

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When someone cops to drinking even a small amount of alcohol, that is legitimate grounds (in most states) for a sobriety check. Why would this be any different from marijuana?

My only concern with the free use of Hemp is that I am not sure I want to share the freeway with someone who is stoned no more than I want to share the freeway with someone who is drunk..

I am all for legalizing Hemp, but it should be restricted like a narcotic.. There should be no recreational use for it or personal farming.. Perscription only and manufactured and regulated like any other drug..

Alcohol kills enough people every year.. We don't need to give people another chance to kill themselves.. I pray for the day when they actually invent synthohol, same taste but no mind altering effects..

The main reason for my feelings is simply, sure.. There are some responsible people out there that would grow the stuff for their own medical uses.. It is the morons that will start smoking the stuff everywhere they go.. Invasion of the pot heads!! Some moron in the shopping mall because he thinks he is going to be eaten by the esculator.. Or the guy laughing at the counter watching hamburgers being cooked at Burger King..

Then we are going to have tons of court cases trying to determine of smoking regulations applies to pot smokers.. What about those that have a perscription?? People are stupid.. That is a simple fact.. There is a reason every hair dryer has a tag that reminds you not to use it in the bath tub.. It isn't because people are smart.. Or McDonalds has a warning on their coffee cups that reads 'The beverage you are about to enjoy is hot.'.. Again people are stupid.. They are to stupid for alcohol and they are certianly to stupid for legalized hemp..

Regulated and distributed like any other narcotic pain killers and I am fine with it.. If I can't freely have dilauded, then you can't grow pot in your basement..

I didn't vote because the option that I would choose was not there.. Farmed and regulated for pharmacutical use only.. No private or commecial farming.. It is either made into a pill and marketed as a pain killer or any other medical use that it may have and distributed by perscription only..

Your Star said:

And those industries will be replaced by new ones, and that job loss will be replaced by the new jobs a legal marijuana trade would bring. Combine that with the crippling effect it will have on the cartels, and it's a win win.

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No, the sheer amount of industries that could have their profits cut into by switching to hemp is enormous, and hemp is easy to grow and process, so it doesn't require as many people, as say, cotton. If you replace cotton with hemp, not only is it all the employees that grow cotton out of employ (who probably could find employment in the hemp industry), it is also 50% of the pesticide industry down the drain, as well as people who manufacture chemicals to process the cotton that are not needed with hemp fibres. As you say, there's 25,000 uses for hemp, and it's an extremely efficient crop to grow, needing less water, fertiliser and pesticides than any comparable crop, it will lead to a net loss in jobs, there's no way round that.

(I'm actually for hemp production, TheDemSocialist just asked for a logical reason why it shouldn't be legal, so I gave one. :lol

DemonMyst said:

My only concern with the free use of Hemp is that I am not sure I want to share the freeway with someone who is stoned no more than I want to share the freeway with someone who is drunk..

I am all for legalizing Hemp, but it should be restricted like a narcotic.. There should be no recreational use for it or personal farming.. Perscription only and manufactured and regulated like any other drug..

Alcohol kills enough people every year.. We don't need to give people another chance to kill themselves.. I pray for the day when they actually invent synthohol, same taste but no mind altering effects..

The main reason for my feelings is simply, sure.. There are some responsible people out there that would grow the stuff for their own medical uses.. It is the morons that will start smoking the stuff everywhere they go.. Invasion of the pot heads!! Some moron in the shopping mall because he thinks he is going to be eaten by the esculator.. Or the guy laughing at the counter watching hamburgers being cooked at Burger King..

Then we are going to have tons of court cases trying to determine of smoking regulations applies to pot smokers.. What about those that have a perscription?? People are stupid.. That is a simple fact.. There is a reason every hair dryer has a tag that reminds you not to use it in the bath tub.. It isn't because people are smart.. Or McDonalds has a warning on their coffee cups that reads 'The beverage you are about to enjoy is hot.'.. Again people are stupid.. They are to stupid for alcohol and they are certianly to stupid for legalized hemp..

Regulated and distributed like any other narcotic pain killers and I am fine with it.. If I can't freely have dilauded, then you can't grow pot in your basement..

I didn't vote because the option that I would choose was not there.. Farmed and regulated for pharmacutical use only.. No private or commecial farming.. It is either made into a pill and marketed as a pain killer or any other medical use that it may have and distributed by perscription only..

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You do realize cannabis sativa (hemp) is a different biological classification from cannabis indica (marijuana)?

DemonMyst said:

Alcohol kills enough people every year.. We don't need to give people another chance to kill themselves.. I pray for the day when they actually invent synthohol, same taste but no mind altering effects.

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I don't think many people drink for the taste...they'd all be drinking chocolate milk if that was the case.

The main reason for my feelings is simply, sure.. There are some responsible people out there that would grow the stuff for their own medical uses.. It is the morons that will start smoking the stuff everywhere they go.. Invasion of the pot heads!! Some moron in the shopping mall because he thinks he is going to be eaten by the esculator.. Or the guy laughing at the counter watching hamburgers being cooked at Burger King..

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Those people aren't potheads. It's called "psychosis".

I didn't vote because the option that I would choose was not there.. Farmed and regulated for pharmacutical use only.. No private or commecial farming.. It is either made into a pill and marketed as a pain killer or any other medical use that it may have and distributed by perscription only..

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By the time you get it to pill form, you've lost a lot of the benefits. It becomes one more lousy pharmaceutical.

In fact, my only concern with legalization is that we'd have crappy GMO pot with additives, similar what passes for "cigarettes", "food" and "water" in this country.

Here's an interesting link, it says it kills antibiotic-resistant staph:
Cannabis Kills All Known Germs..Dead..including MRSA superbug // Current

=RadicalModerate;1059692227]New Device Claims ROadside Testing for Marijuana

There is new technology being developed to detect marijuana intoxication for police and state troopers.

THC is already fairly easily measured in laboratories. There is no reason why THC percentage should not be clearly labeled on commercially sold marijuana, just like ABV is printed on all alcohol containers.

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Thats fine .. and very well might improve the odds of it passing sooner then later, but to the best of my knowledge I have never seen a trooper have one in his possession for testing motorists yet .. have you ?

Why do marijuana growers need to be licensed? I've always advocated that marijuana growing be treated the same as homebrewing or home wineries. There is a clear legal distinction between hombrewers and commercial brewers.

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Do you honestly believe that the government when passing a bill to legalize pot ... isn't going to go after every dollar it can get in taxes from it ? Shoot where I live you have to pay for the right to grow tobacco, I personally know farmers that sell their Allotment to other growers rather then messing with it.

I have no problem with federally mandated marijuana quality controls, the same laws that keep our precious, precious booze high quality, regulated by the FDA.

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I didn't say I had a problem with it either, but you better believe that tax dollars from the growers and processors are going to pay for the federal inspectors to get that quality control

I think it's quite clear that attitudes towards marijuana have changed significantly over the past few decades. Those 10-15% you speak of are usually the old folks, clinging on to their outdated politics. Give it another 10 to 15 years, the vast majority will be crying loud and clear to legalize and tax ganja. Especially when the nation is in a government debt crisis; how do you rationalize millions and millions of dollars being spent fighting against a plant that most people find at worst a marginally preferable alternative to alcohol or at best a beneficial wonder plant?

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I don't know what you are talking about .... where in my post did I say I was on the side of not legalizing it ?? I'm sure that attitudes are changing, I just don't happen to agree with you that they are changing all that fast, CA. the most liberal state in the USA had it on the ballet ... and it was defeated that tells me that my 10 to 15% figure is a low ball figure at the present time .

That's assuming a very big part of your scenario, of course. But again, I come back to sweet, sweet booze; why isn't there a black market for alcohol? More people drink alcohol than do any other drug. It's legal and regulated pretty fairly; teenagers have money and want to buy it, so the demand is there. But yet, we don't see a thriving black market for moonshine and bathtub gin, being sold by booze-pushers on the corner to innocent children, unaware of the quality of strength of the alcohol. God knows you can go blind from ill-produced hooch! So why doesn't this scenario present itself in an already popular, well-known and easily accessible drug? Does the same really hold true to a legalized-chronic situation?

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-chuckles= you just live in the wrong part of the country, come to my state, and I can fix you up with as much as you want within a hour, and I can't stand the stuff ... way to strong for me.

When someone cops to drinking even a small amount of alcohol, that is legitimate grounds (in most states) for a sobriety check. Why would this be any different from marijuana?

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it wouldn't be ... except for the time being admitting to taking a couple of tokes ... means you have broken the law.. so "very" few if any admit to it ... and until the cops have those devices in their cars, there is no way to prove anything, they can suspect all they want ... but if you are smart enough to have nothing in your car that relates to pot smoking, there is nothing they can do.

Temporal said:

Both cannabis indica and cannabis sativa produce smokeable flowers.

Hemp should be farmed in mass quantities because we can make everything we need out of it. It is a miracle plant. The fact that it is either outright banned or so highly taxed that it's not profitable to grow just shows the insanity and meddling of our country's business sector.

We wouldn't have to import lumber from Canada, fiber from China, or fish the oceans to produce omega oils. It's all in one plant. And if done correctly, it would be the most efficient way to make bio fuel.

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Hemp can even be used to make plastic and bricks for homes. I believe that Hemp can literally save lives and improve that standard of living of people worldwide.

If only the injustice of banning Hemp can be reversed.

evanescence said:

Hemp can even be used to make plastic and bricks for homes. I believe that Hemp can literally save lives and improve that standard of living of people worldwide.

If only the injustice of banning Hemp can be reversed.

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I think it is sad that only 25% of those against hemp will actually watch these videos and attempt to digest their message If only people could get past their unreasonable knee jerk reactions and be open to new, reasonable ideas

MusicAdventurer said:

I think it is sad that only 25% of those against hemp will actually watch these videos and attempt to digest their message If only people could get past their unreasonable knee jerk reactions and be open to new, reasonable ideas

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The world would be a better place if that happened. It's too bad, really.

RadicalModerate said:

You do realize cannabis sativa (hemp) is a different biological classification from cannabis indica (marijuana)?

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Which is actually a useless statement.. You legalize one, then you are legalizing both.. Maybe not technically, but tell that to the millions of growers who looking to make a profit and don't give a crap about scientific names or distinctions..

To you and I there is a distinction, to the rest of the world that spills their coffee in their lap or uses their hair dryer in the bath tub, there is no difference.. Pot is pot and they want a perscription to get stoned..

DemonMyst said:

Which is actually a useless statement.. You legalize one, then you are legalizing both.. Maybe not technically, but tell that to the millions of growers who looking to make a profit and don't give a crap about scientific names or distinctions..

To you and I there is a distinction, to the rest of the world that spills their coffee in their lap or uses their hair dryer in the bath tub, there is no difference.. Pot is pot and they want a perscription to get stoned..

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Ahhhh, facepalm.

DemonMyst said:

Which is actually a useless statement.. You legalize one, then you are legalizing both.. Maybe not technically, but tell that to the millions of growers who looking to make a profit and don't give a crap about scientific names or distinctions..

To you and I there is a distinction, to the rest of the world that spills their coffee in their lap or uses their hair dryer in the bath tub, there is no difference.. Pot is pot and they want a perscription to get stoned..

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There is not a single statement in this post that is correct.

DemonMyst said:

Which is actually a useless statement.. You legalize one, then you are legalizing both.. Maybe not technically, but tell that to the millions of growers who looking to make a profit and don't give a crap about scientific names or distinctions..

To you and I there is a distinction, to the rest of the world that spills their coffee in their lap or uses their hair dryer in the bath tub, there is no difference.. Pot is pot and they want a perscription to get stoned..

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or they want to make sure that no one else gets stoned, because drugs are evil and passing laws against them keeps people from getting them.

Dittohead not! said:

or they want to make sure that no one else gets stoned, because drugs are evil and passing laws against them keeps people from getting them.

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You are not serious, are you ??
What is "evil", IMO, is man's fear and ignorance.

earthworm said:

You are not serious, are you ??

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No.
My mission in life is to make sure that no one takes what they read literally.
Irony and sarcasm are my friends, and yours as well.