Wyden amendment cheers industrial hemp supporters

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Supporters say the beneficial uses of industrial hemp would be a boon to the sustainable economy. 

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden proposed an amendment to the U.S. Farm Bill that would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana, allowing farmers to grow the crop that advocates say has many uses and sustainable benefits.

The proposed amendment to the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 would allow states to set their own laws about industrial hemp cultivation.

"Industrial hemp is used in many healthy and sustainable consumer products. However, the federal prohibition on growing industrial hemp has forced companies to needlessly import raw materials from other countries," Wyden, D-Oregon, said in a statement. "My amendment to the Farm Bill will change federal policy to allow U.S. farmers to produce hemp for these safe and legitimate products right here, helping both producers and suppliers to grow and improve Oregon's economy in the process."

Wyden's amendment, proposed Thursday, landed during the third annual Hemp History Week, an event organized by hemp supporters including Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and Portland-based Living Harvest, a natural food company that makes hemp-based products.

"We've been waiting for this day for, well, 50 years," said Christina Volgyesi, Dr. Bronner's Portland-based marketing manager.

Volgyesi and other Hemp History Week organizers are encouraging supporters to contact their legislators in support of the amendment, which they say is the first time industrial hemp has been supported in Washington, D.C., since the 1950s.

Organizers behind the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 campaign also support industrial hemp and want to create a state commission to regulate cannabis similar to how alcohol is regulated.