Lawmakers Might Look Into Industrial Hemp Production
March 26, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
State Sen. Blake Doriot said a summer study committee will take up the issue and look at the idea of legalizing the growing of hemp, a move that is already happening in a handful of other states.
In 1938, the federal government banned cannabis, including hemp, but made exceptions during the World War II era.
Kentucky was a hotspot for hemp in its heyday and Indiana farmers, including ones in Kosciusko County, have a history with the crop.
The legalization of industrial hemp was one of the questions aired Saturday at a legislative update meeting with state lawmakers that was hosted by Kosciusko County Farm Bureau at Creighton’s Crazy Egg Café near Warsaw.
Mike Long, a board member with Farm Bureau, said the organization has not taken a stand on industrial hemp and is still seeking input.
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Long, who is also a candidate for Kosciusko County Council, said he worked on farms decades ago that raised hemp.
He sees a clear upside to the introduction of another cash crop in Indiana.
“It is another cash crop. It can be put into our multitude of crops that we raise. Obviously, corn and beans aren’t getting it done now, so we need something with some more alternatives,” Long said.
He added, “I wouldn’t mind getting back into that. It kind of brings the history of farming back.”
Doriot authored a bill in the recently concluded General Assembly that would have taken the first steps toward legalizing and regulating the crop.
The state Senate bill died in committee.
Doriot pointed to FlexForm Technologies as a company that could benefit from the crop being grown locally.
The Elkhart company manufacturers nonwoven natural fiber composite mats and panel products for a variety of industries, including automotive, office interiors, aircraft, recreational vehicles, truck and commercial vehicles.
Doriot said the company uses about 80,000 pounds of hemp fiber a week that is imported from France and Southeast Asia.
“They want to purchase it in Indiana and break into the RV market,” Doriot said.
Doriot envisions tough regulations that would include testing near the end of the harvest season to determine if the THC level in the plants is above the federally dictated level of 0.3 percent. Crops found to be above that level would be destroyed, he said.
He said Kentucky already allows for the production of industrial hemp and that states such as Wisconsin are already moving in that direction.
“I don’t think we want to get behind on this issue,” Doriot said.
Doriot discounted the belief among some that the hemp growers can also grow marijuana illegally by planting it in the middle of a hemp field. He said that that’s unlikely because cross-pollination between the two plants causes the reduction in THC levels and as a result, the potency and value of marijuana.
“Hopefully, we get it for the 2020 season,” Doriot said.
Doriot was joined by State Reps. Dave Wolkins and Curt Nisly at Saturday’s event. Neither expressed opposition to industrial hemp.
State Sen. Blake Doriot said a summer study committee will take up the issue and look at the idea of legalizing the growing of hemp, a move that is already happening in a handful of other states.
In 1938, the federal government banned cannabis, including hemp, but made exceptions during the World War II era.
Kentucky was a hotspot for hemp in its heyday and Indiana farmers, including ones in Kosciusko County, have a history with the crop.
The legalization of industrial hemp was one of the questions aired Saturday at a legislative update meeting with state lawmakers that was hosted by Kosciusko County Farm Bureau at Creighton’s Crazy Egg Café near Warsaw.
Mike Long, a board member with Farm Bureau, said the organization has not taken a stand on industrial hemp and is still seeking input.
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Long, who is also a candidate for Kosciusko County Council, said he worked on farms decades ago that raised hemp.
He sees a clear upside to the introduction of another cash crop in Indiana.
“It is another cash crop. It can be put into our multitude of crops that we raise. Obviously, corn and beans aren’t getting it done now, so we need something with some more alternatives,” Long said.
He added, “I wouldn’t mind getting back into that. It kind of brings the history of farming back.”
Doriot authored a bill in the recently concluded General Assembly that would have taken the first steps toward legalizing and regulating the crop.
The state Senate bill died in committee.
Doriot pointed to FlexForm Technologies as a company that could benefit from the crop being grown locally.
The Elkhart company manufacturers nonwoven natural fiber composite mats and panel products for a variety of industries, including automotive, office interiors, aircraft, recreational vehicles, truck and commercial vehicles.
Doriot said the company uses about 80,000 pounds of hemp fiber a week that is imported from France and Southeast Asia.
“They want to purchase it in Indiana and break into the RV market,” Doriot said.
Doriot envisions tough regulations that would include testing near the end of the harvest season to determine if the THC level in the plants is above the federally dictated level of 0.3 percent. Crops found to be above that level would be destroyed, he said.
He said Kentucky already allows for the production of industrial hemp and that states such as Wisconsin are already moving in that direction.
“I don’t think we want to get behind on this issue,” Doriot said.
Doriot discounted the belief among some that the hemp growers can also grow marijuana illegally by planting it in the middle of a hemp field. He said that that’s unlikely because cross-pollination between the two plants causes the reduction in THC levels and as a result, the potency and value of marijuana.
“Hopefully, we get it for the 2020 season,” Doriot said.
Doriot was joined by State Reps. Dave Wolkins and Curt Nisly at Saturday’s event. Neither expressed opposition to industrial hemp.
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