Brighter Future For Hemp Clothing

By Author: Amy Whittingham
Total Articles: 33
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Possibly profitable diverse crops will soon be giving a hand to farmers in Vermont. Governor Jim Douglas permitted a law allowing the farming of industrial hemp to pass, although he didn't sign it himself. But those who promote the vibrant, expanding business of hemp still need patience.

Hemp and marijuana are both considered the same plant so according to Federal law, they are both illegal. Many lawmakers say that a change in this situation is inevitable. Proponents of hemp believe that it has great potential in many areas including cosmetics, clothing, and food production. The Agriculture Agency is prepared to change even more after these new laws are passed.

Vermont's corn production is substantially less than that of the Midwest, coming in at only 90,000 acres per year, but that doesn't mean Vermont can go without a good rotation crop. In Vermont, hemp is supported as a crop by other Vermont industries such as candle making and dairies. Right now the hemp market is small, but it is rapidly growing into the mainstream marketplace. A yearly average of 16,500 acres of hemp is produced for use in consumable food ...
... products by farmers in Canada. Vermont's potential hemp industry could also tap into this market as well as selling cheap animal bedding for the 140,000 cows in Vermont.

Police officials cite concerns about industrial hemp's connection with marijuana as their reason for opposition to the bill. The Governor also stated that the relation between hemp and marijuana was a part of the reason as to why he did not support the bill. The Agriculture Agency will be responsible for designing the regulations for hemp production, allowing farmers to get their licenses as soon as the bill goes into effect. North Dakota is another one state which did this. At present, Canada and many other countries are growing hemp legally. In 1937, the United States declared hemp illegal though an exception was made during World War II for industrial use.