Sober North Dakotans Hope to Legalize Hemp

[shireen]

Source: New York Times


OSNABROCK, N.D. — David C. Monson seems an improbable soul to find at the leading edge of a national movement to legalize growing hemp, a plant that shares a species name, a genus type and, in many circles, a reputation, with marijuana.

As Mr. Monson rolls past his wheat, barley and shimmering yellow fields of canola, he listens to Rush Limbaugh in his tractor. When he is not farming, he is the high school principal in nearby Edinburg, population 252. When he is not teaching, he is a Republican representative in Bismarck, the state capital, where his party dominates both houses of the legislature and the governor is a Republican.

“Look at me — do I look shady?” Mr. Monson, 56, asked, as he stood in work boots and a ball cap in the rocky, black dirt that spans mile after mile of North Dakota’s nearly empty northern edge. “This is not any subversive thing like trying to legalize marijuana or whatever. This is just practical agriculture. We’re desperate for something that can make us some money.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/us/21hemp.html

---

The "face" of this story about legalizing hemp is a high school principal, Republican state representative, who listens to Rush Limbaugh while riding around in his tractor.

“Look at me — do I look shady?”

:rofl:

[babylonsister]

1. Does he want hemp for hemp, or to get high? I'd think the former, but

I don't have a clue. If it's that latter, why does he like Rush, the rethugs, etc.? A good disguise? :evilgrin:

[WindRavenX]

10. Industrial hemp like he'd be growing would be worthless to smoke

Just an fyi :hi:

[pokercat999]

21. Let's see who would it hurt?........ Times up, try

Dupont Chemical the makers of NYLON and other "fibers" made from oil. Oh yeah add Monsanto and I'm sure lots of other huge corporations. Your bestest of friends Mr. FU Rethuglian.

[piedmont]

2. Also check out the White Plumes' story:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2007/standing/about.html

[Bobbieo]

3. He's a Republican and a white man so he will get hemp

legalized where the White Plumes failed. I hope Alex White Plume will profit as a result.One use for hemp is building houses on the rez.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Save a Lot of Trees Too

[shireen]

6. i agree, hemp is a fantastic crop and i was educated about it right here at DU

You don't see much posted right now because everyone's so mad about the war, Bush admin, and other horrible things. But folks here do care about hemp legalization.

[Bennyboy]

7. Why does no one in Gov't ever talk about it?

Other than Dennis Kucinich that is. Al Gore the great enviromentalist? I never heard a peep out of him about this.
Once I was at a medical marijuana rally at the Capitol in Sacramento. There was a UFW rally on the other side of the building. I got into an elevator with one of the union's leaders and some others from that org. I asked them if they had ever even heard about Hemp. To a man, they said no. We shared lunch and I informed them of the plant and it's benefits to the world and especially to the UFW.

I don't know if they ever did anything but they listened intently and were a lot better informed about the benefits of hemp fibre by the end of lunch..

[shireen]

8. yeah, it's frustrating.

Looks too much like marijuana, I guess. Seems to freak people out.

There's so much hype on either side of the marijuana debate that I don't know what to believe (about recreational consumption, that is, no doubts about its medicinal uses). Too bad it's standing in the way of an amazing crop, hemp.

Besides, if Canadians can grow help, why can't we? No fair!

[Bennyboy]

9. Very frustrating.

It really bugs me. I can hardly stand to see someone that says they are an environmentalist and then not take about hemp.

[Suich]

11. I just saw a program on POV about the Native Americans at

Pine Ridge, where the unemployment rate is around 85%, trying to get the ok to grow hemp. The DEA says that it would be too hard for their agents to tell the difference between "industrial hemp" and marijuana. The US imports "industrial hemp" from Canada, but it's illegal to grow it here...go figure!

:shrug:

[Ben Masel]

12. At a 2003 WI Assembly hearing on hemp....

When the State Dept. of Justice agent raised the "we can't tell them apart" argument, Republican legislator "Doc" Hines retorted "I don't know about you desk jockeys here in Madison, but in my County all the Deputies grew up on farms. They'll have no problem telling them apart."

[Odin2005]

23. "Desk jockeys" LOL!!!

:rofl:

[Ben Masel]

14. I discussed hemp with VP candidate Gore in August 1992

for almost 15 minutes when he and Bill took their post-Convention bus tour along the Mississippi. He was already somewhat familiar with its potential, I elaborated. He left me with "Trust us Ben."

[Bongo Prophet]

18. I remember that story. Didn't work out so well, did it? A shame too.

Instead, arrests went up.
And no hemp legislation that I know of.

But on the sunny side -- some progress in state laws vis a vis medical use.

Now, HRC has stated that she will respect state laws regarding medical co-ops and not sic the feds on them.

guess we'll have to trust her on that...


Ahem.

Kerry said as much in 04, but we never got a chance to trust him on that issue.

But on the sunny side again...if even SHE (the great triangulatah!) can say that, could it get the other dems now running to do it too?


:shrug:

[Bennyboy]

24. Trust us Ben?

Do we have another 6 years to wait for him to say anyhting? This should be on the lips of everyone that is concerned aobut the environment. NOW. not later.

[Bongo Prophet]

31. Reread that. It was 1992 and I remember it well.

I like Gore. But Clinton/Gore left us on the ropes on the hemp issue AND the incarceration issue.

We keep trying.
If it takes a Republican to "deserve" to farm it, then fine, as long as it opens the door to others.

“Look at me — do I look shady?” “This is not any subversive thing like trying to legalize marijuana or whatever. This is just practical agriculture. We’re desperate for something that can make us some money.”

It's obvious what he is saying here:
"See, dirty hippies are soo subversive. If it is all about MONEY, then it's good!
Did I mention Limbaugh? I'm good!
I'm NOT like THEM.
I'm NORMAL!
I'm a REPUBLICAN!"


I see by your profile that enjoy "making the right think" - well, good luck with that.
I have tried for years. We are not so different. Me 1980s = you now. (Hemp can save the world!!)
It's a difficult road, especially when they think you are subversive and deserving of JAIL.

[Bennyboy]

33. I am with you...

I like Gore too. I really odn't hold him responsible for the incarceration issue.

But on enviro issues he always has been at the forefront of the issue.

Of course I am for complete legalization of the herb, so that ahs always made me a subversive.

the funny thing is, my 80 yr old Limbaugh loving right-wing Father smokes it and has since the forties. So many of his ELKS clubbers do too. His attorney puffs it. My attorney puffs it.

But all are afraid of the backlash from speaking out about it.

It might be the same with HEMP?

[Bongo Prophet]

34. I hope so too, Bennyboy

We agree on this.

One person at a time, in viral fashion.
I feel we are close to tipping point with the public, but like so many issues the politicos are timidly way behind because of the fear of the smear machine.

Keep fightin' the good fight, my friend! :hi:

[TheFarseer]

17. it's just too easy for everyone to jump on you

and discredit you as a "druggie". Damn media. They could get this straight but they won't. Instead RW talking points will always prevail on this one.

[Odin2005]

22. A lot of people are talking about it, the MSM just isn't paying attention.

MSM's to busy with Paris Hilton and Michael Vick.

[Bongo Prophet]

20. Are they talking strawbale type housing?

Or more the pressed board?

The hemp oil is a wonderful product.
Whole foods carried it for a while, and it is perfect for raw use in salads, hummus, pesto and the like.

If they used fibers for bales, seeds for oil and seed hulls for their animal feed they would be hitting a real home run.

We first nations people use ALL of the plant. This is how it is done.

[Ben Masel]

30. Lakota Hemp Days August 21-23, near Manderson, SD

http://www.kizapark.com/

[Ben Masel]

13. Wisconsin hemp bill pending

Our law allowing licensed hemp cultivation remains on the books from the old days, and licenses were issued to farmers here as late as 1957. The Assembly Rural Affars Committee recently unanimously passed a bill urging the Feds to resume issuing licenses, and creating a blueribbon panel to study exactly what industries we would most profitably develop to use it. The Republican Speaker has reportedly promised a floor vote when the Chamber's done with the deadlocked budget.

For accounts of our historic hemp industry, see Dr. Dave's Hemp Archives http://gametec.com/hemp/

[Canuckistanian]

15. We really have to separate hemp from marijuana

Usually, the same people arguing for decriminalization of medical marijuana are also promoting hemp use.

So, the anti-pot zealots connect the two products.

Although I really think it's a coordinated effort by business interests to keep them connected.

It's time to separate these issues. Take the case to farmers like this one.

And EMPHASIZE that you CANNOT GET HIGH ON HEMP.

I've always used the analogy that hemp is to marijuana as common garden poppies are to heroin. Same general family, TOTALLY different plant use.

[Bennyboy]

25. Good analogy!

I ahve been thinking of way to frame the argument when it comes up. Good one.

[annabanana]

16. "Look at me — do I look shady?"

You do to me. And now that you are advocating for this. . . you do to a lot of other people.
(Talk about a lose-lose proposition)

[Bongo Prophet]

19. Well, as a Republican, yes you do look shady.

But if we can work together on this one issue, I am willing to overlook that.

Have a donut. Smell the coffee.
:donut:

[Bennyboy]

27. Why is this even a partisan issue?

Why? Look past your old tired bias' and look into the benefits to everyone's life that could be gained by legalizing HEMP. I would bring jobs BACK TO THE US. It would solve alot of environmental issues. It would BE BIG BUSINESS for companies that got involved.

legalizing HEMP would be good FOR EVERYONE IN THE US!

[Bongo Prophet]

28. Chill, Bennyboy. I apologize for the joke.

Like I said, I am willing to overlook other political differences for the greater good.
I've been a hemp advocate for over 2 decades, and know the benefits.

That insinuation that he used "Hey, I'm a republican and don't smoke that shit, so I'm not shady" was a bit of crap that hits me the wrong way.


Sorry you didn't see this as the joke it was. And it was a bad one, I reckon.
A bit of wordplay, meaning no offense.



Peace brother.:smoke:

[Ben Masel]

29. Not Partisan in State legislatures

As I mention upthread, we got a UNANIMOUS vote in the WI Rural Affairs Committee. Slightly more Republican sponsors.

2 US Senators have voted for hemp bills when in State legislatures, Tester and Obama. Tester's the logical lead guy in the Senate now.

[Bongo Prophet]

35. Tester has the cred to work on this. I like having "heartland" repubs in the states as well

It is an issue that farmers can well understand. So much more than bureaucrats.

And Ben, thanks for all the great work you have done for so many years.
Cheers.

[MissB]

26. Republicans smoke pot too.

One of the most right wing Republicans that I know has smoked it. He is also a Deadhead.

Aside from that, it would be great if they'd legalize hemp. Nothing to do with legalizing marjiuana.

[Ben Masel]

32. When I go to Republican functions

they all want to impress me with their buds. At Democratic functions, it's "Ben, do you have any?" The Greens have the lowest % of active tokers.

[Disturbed]

36. There is no sane reason as to why Hemp is Illegal.

When Repugs get behind the legalization of Hemp the stupid law against it will be struck down.

[maxsolomon]

37. screw you, mr. monson

its past time to legalize "non-industrial" hemp. half-measures only delay the inevitable.

this country has a stick up its ass the size of a sequoia.