It is hard for me to comprehend that we live in a state where it will soon be legal to cultivate commercial marijuana, but it is still against the law to grow industrial hemp, one of the world's most versatile and useful crops. Last session I introduced Senate Bill 8 to change that. The bill moved out of the Senate Resources Committee last session, but has yet to be heard in Judiciary. Although the main issue we will be focusing on in the upcoming session is how to deal with the fiscal crisis at hand, it is critical we pass SB 8 before the 29th Legislature comes to an end.
I introduced SB 8 as one, but an important, way to diversify Alaska's economy at a time when we are staring down a huge revenue shortfall, and the price of oil continues to drop. One bill, and the addition of one crop to our agricultural portfolio won't save us from the current fiscal crisis, but it can be an important part of a broader plan to diversify and to find our way to a more stable economy.
Hemp has been grown around the world for centuries and the spectrum of refined products is impressive, making it a valuable crop. Hemp can be processed and used for fuel, paper, rope, clothes, resin, seed food and much more. The plant was commonly grown and commercially available in the United States until the 1930's, and George Washington grew it in order to sell hemp for rope and sail canvas, two materials in high demand at the time.
It is legal to produce hemp all over the world, including in Spain, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Egypt, Ukraine and many others, but not in the United States. Countries the world over continue to produce hemp, with thriving industries in China and Canada, whose exports account for half a billion dollars in hemp products annually shipped to the United States. Strict federal law bans the growing and cultivation of hemp under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States, with laws in Oregon, Vermont, California, North Dakota, and Colorado enabling hemp licensure. SB 8 in Alaska would add us to the list of those states allowing farmers to participate in this booming industry.
Of course, many people associate hemp with marijuana, two different species of the same genus, cannabis, contributing to its illegal status in the United States. To clarify, hemp comes from the genus of cannabis, but contains only minute amounts of the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana. SB 8 would make it clear, in statute, that any hemp grown, produced, harvested, sold, or bought may only contain .3 percent THC
The criminalization of hemp in the United States dates back to the hysteria of the 1930s, but recent changes at the state and federal level indicate that policymakers, and Americans alike, may be finally ready to reap the benefits of growing this amazing crop once more.
At a time when bipartisanship is at a premium, hemp has brought together such diverse allies as Sen. Mitch McConnell (R- Ky.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). A provision included in the 2014 Farm Bill allows institutions of higher education and State Divisions of Agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp with 31 other states introducing pro-hemp legislation.
It is my strong belief that Alaska farmers should have the option to add this valuable industrial crop to their options, and SB 8 is a bill whose time has come. Legal hemp may not be a lifeline out of the current revenue shortfall, but it can be one small but helpful tool for Alaska farmers.
Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, represents District D, including downtown, Fairview, Mountain View and Airport Heights.
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