The Denver Post
Hype about hemp is rising despite federal laws that recognize no distinction
between hemp and marijuana.
The cannabis plants are genetically similar but with one important difference: Hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive substance that gets marijuana users high.
Yet the U.S. government considers hemp to be, like marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance. That makes hemp's cultivation illegal, except with special federal permits that are rarely issued.
Hemp has been grown and used as a textile at least since the 5th century B.C. It was an important crop in colonial America and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
But the first anti-hemp salvo from the feds came in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which required cannabis growers to be licensed and taxed.
Cultivation was temporarily encouraged during World War II — witness the government's "Hemp for Victory" campaign — and some residual growing took place through the 1950s.
But a further federal crackdown occurred with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified any product containing any amount of THC as an illegal drug.
Now, at least nine states, including Colorado, have laws allowing hemp production, and several more have introduced legislation. A bill pending in Congress would end the federal prohibition on hemp.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
303-954-1948 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Read more: Despite lack of THC, hemp remains illegal federally - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23066253/despite-lack-thc-hemp-remains-illegal-federally#ixzz2R6aScucm
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
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The cannabis plants are genetically similar but with one important difference: Hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive substance that gets marijuana users high.
Yet the U.S. government considers hemp to be, like marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance. That makes hemp's cultivation illegal, except with special federal permits that are rarely issued.
Hemp has been grown and used as a textile at least since the 5th century B.C. It was an important crop in colonial America and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
But the first anti-hemp salvo from the feds came in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which required cannabis growers to be licensed and taxed.
Cultivation was temporarily encouraged during World War II — witness the government's "Hemp for Victory" campaign — and some residual growing took place through the 1950s.
But a further federal crackdown occurred with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified any product containing any amount of THC as an illegal drug.
Now, at least nine states, including Colorado, have laws allowing hemp production, and several more have introduced legislation. A bill pending in Congress would end the federal prohibition on hemp.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
303-954-1948 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlightingRead more: Despite lack of THC, hemp remains illegal federally - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23066253/despite-lack-thc-hemp-remains-illegal-federally#ixzz2R6aScucm
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
Follow us: @Denverpost on Twitter | Denverpost on Facebook
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