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Hemp Bill Passes Senate, On To Gov. Hickenlooper

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store  HB12-1099, the Phytoremediation Hemp Remediation Pilot Program, passed the Colorado Senate with an overwhelming supportive vote of 32-2.

(read more here) Check out the comments too.

Chamber

 House

Title

 Phytoremediation Hemp Remediation Pilot Program

House Sponsors

 W. McKinley (D)

Senate Sponsors

 S. Williams (D)
L. Tochtrop (D)

Description

 The chair of the agriculture, livestock, and natural resources committee in the house of representatives and the chair of the agriculture, natural resources, and energy committee in the senate will appoint 7 members to the industrial hemp remediation pilot program committee (committee). The committee will establish an industrial hemp remediation pilot program (pilot program) to study how soils and water may be made more pristine and healthy by phytoremediation, removal of contaminants, and rejuvenation through the growth of industrial hemp. The committee consists of members with various scientific backgrounds and with knowledge about the growth of industrial hemp. The growth of industrial hemp is prohibited until the commissioner of agriculture (commissioner) approves the site chosen by the committee, the security measures that have been put in place by the committee at the pilot program location, and the cleanup plan for the site at the conclusion of the pilot program. The committee will make a final report of its findings and submit the report to the commissioner. The committee may accept gifts, grants, and donations for the pilot program. The pilot program is repealed on July 1, 2022.

Amendments out of Committee

Bill News

 None

House Committee

 Local Government

Senate Committee

 Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy

Status

 Senate ThirdReadingPassed (05/09/2012)

Link to Full Text

 Full Text of Bill (05/09/2012)

Link to Lobbyists

 Lobbyists

Link to Bill Versions

 Bill Versions

Link to Fiscal Notes

 Fiscal Notes (04/16/2012)

Link to History

 History

House Votes

 House Votes

Senate Votes

 Senate Votes

Vote Totals

 Vote Totals by Party

01/18/2012 Introduced In House – Assigned to Local Government
02/13/2012 House Committee on Local Government Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Vote of 11-0 a unanimous approval

04/10/2012 House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
Vote of 10-3 in favor of the bill

04/12/2012 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily
04/17/2012 House Second Reading Passed with Amendments
04/18/2012 House Third Reading Laid Over Daily
04/24/2012 House Third Reading Passed
Vote of 56-8-1 in favor of the bill (for-against-absent)

04/25/2012 Introduced In Senate – Assigned to Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy
05/02/2012 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Refer Unamended to Legislative Council
Vote of 6-0-1 a unanimous approval (for-against-absent)

05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Legislative Council Refer Unamended to Finance
05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Finance Re-Refer Unamended to Appropriations
05/07/2012 Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Vote of 8-1 in favor of the bill

05/08/2012 Senate Second Reading Special Order – Passed
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Reconsidered
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Passed
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Passed
Vote of 32-2 in favor of the bill

Final Votes by Party for Bill: HB12-1099

Party

Yes

No

Excused
Democrats 51 0 1
Republicans 38 10 0

 

Lobbyists for HB12-1099

#

Lobbyist Name

Date

Position

Principal

 

1 BERRY, TRAVIS DAVID 01/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
2 BOYDSTON, BRENT 01/2012 Supporting COLORADO FARM BUREAU
3 CHASE, SCOTT M 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
4 COLE, JAMES J. 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
5 Colglazier, Nicholas 01/2012 Supporting Colorado Farm Bureau
6 COLORADO LEGISLATIVE SERVICES,
LLC		 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
7 ERBERT LEE, RACHEL 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
8 JENSEN PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
ANNMARIE JENSEN		 02/2012 Monitoring COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
9 LAYTON, MELANIE M. 01/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
10 MILLER, KARA DIANNE 02/2012 Monitoring MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY GROUP
11 OKEEFE, MARGARET-MARY S 02/2012 Monitoring CBA
12 POLITICALWORKS, LLC 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
13 TOMLINSON, DANNY L 03/2012 Monitoring COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
14 VORTHMANN, GARIN 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO

 

Happy Mothers Day and Muddy Hole Days, May 12-13th

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Hemp was, ambulance industrial and food uses.

In 1762, “Virginia awarded bounties for hempculture and manufacture, and imposed penalties upon those who did not produce it.”

Three years later, from George Washington’s Diary…

May 12-13 1765: “Sowed Hemp at Muddy hole by Swamp.”
August 7, 1765: “–began to separate (sic) the Male from the Female Hemp at Do-rather too late.”

 

US Should Allow Hemp Farming

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To the Editor:
In a recent press release opposing legislation to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, sildenafil the White House drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, has shown a stunning ignorance about the plant, stating ”all parts of the plant, including hemp, can contain THC (a psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), a Schedule I controlled substance.” In the world of scientific reality, the amounts of THC found in industrial hemp – even in the flowers – are so minute as to be meaningless. But the amounts of THC found in hemp fiber are so low as to be undetectable, which is why hemp fiber products are legal in the United States.

A few examples of the usefulness of industrial hemp are in order. Because of its resistance to degrading, American hemp was the best product for ship’s ropes and rigging during our American Revolution and financed a large part of it. The oil from pressed hemp seeds is both nutritious (highest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids) and can be used as a diesel biofuel. The resultant seed cake rivals soy as a protein source and has essential amino acids. The long fibers from the plant make an excellent source for fabric and high-grade paper (the original drafts of our Constitution were made from hemp paper). The rest of the biomass can be used as a nutritious animal feedstock. It has a thick root system with a taproot over three feet long, markedly lessening desertification (soil loss/runoff). Finally, since the biochemistry of the plant kingdom differs, the hemp plant does better with increasing ultraviolet radiation (think ozone hole), the rice plant does not, making hemp seed cakes a much more valuable nutrition source as we advance into the 21st century.

However, Kerelikowske also said ”America’s farmers deserve our nation’s help and support to ensure rural America’s prosperity and vitality.”

Every other industrial nation allows hemp farming. In a time of economic recession, we should be promoting industrial hemp for its economic potential, especially since the American climate is very suitable for producing high quality hemp and the world market is growing.

The simplest and most effective way to start this economic progress is to completely remove hemp from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration drug Schedule I, which prohibits it. This change could be made immediately by a presidential order to the DEA drug czar.

I remember President Obama campaigning on effective change. The time to start is now.

Gene Tinelli
Jamesville

The Drug Czar’s False Statement About Marijuana and Hemp Should Be a Bigger Scandal

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Associate Editor, find StoptheDrugWar.org

In response to an decease I’ve finally received a response from Obama’s Drug Czar, Gil Kerlikowske, explaining why we can’t let American farmers grow industrial hemp. It’s written in rather plain language, but nonetheless betrays either appalling ignorance or rank dishonesty on the part of our nation’s top drug policy official.

Unfortunately, while President Obama’s misleading claims about medical marijuana policy have generated considerable attention, the drug czar’s recent comments about hemp have gone almost entirely unnoticed and unreported. This is his entire response right here (which apparently took many months to prepare):

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TO Allow Industrial Hemp to be Grown in the U.S. Once AgainWhat We Have to Say About Marijuana and Hemp Production
By Gil Kerlikowske

The drug czar oddly begins by declaring that, “federal law prohibits human consumption, distribution, and possession of Schedule I controlled substances,” which is simply irrelevant in the context of hemp. Hemp isn’t a Schedule I controlled substance and it can legally be consumed, distributed and possessed in a variety of forms. The soap I use every day is made of it, and you can buy hemp foods at any grocery store without fear of arrest. The drug czar’s failure to even acknowledge this basic fact makes his statement terribly confusing in its entirety, but it actually gets worse.

The central issue here, and the whole point of the petition, is that the DEA won’t let American farmers grow hemp for the purpose of manufacturing the various legal products that are made from it. As a result, all hemp products in the U.S. are made from imported hemp, eliminating a lucrative economic opportunity for American farmers. Instead of explaining why that is, the drug czar persists in blurring the distinction between hemp and pot, even implying that hemp can get you high:

While most of the THC in cannabis plants is concentrated in the marijuana, all parts of the plant, including hemp, can contain THC, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Here, the drug czar implies that hemp and marijuana are separate parts of the same individual plant, as if to suggest that allowing hemp cultivation would require that psychoactive marijuana be produced as a byproduct. This is false. Though both are types of cannabis, the hemp plant is genetically different from marijuana plants that produce the drug. In other words, the plant that’s used to make soap won’t get you high, and the plant that gets you high isn’t used to make soap. This is basic stuff, but the drug czar’s statement mischaracterizes it to the point of complete incoherence.

READ MORE HERE

Follow Scott Morgan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drugblogger

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-morgan/the-drug-czars-false-stat_b_1463271.html

Replace ignorant prosecutors and judges By educated and rational people

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The law is wrong to not “allow” Mr. Forchion a medical defense, salve that Cannabis (marijuana) is a plant and has healing properties,which can not be denied by an ignorant prosecutor or judge, this is ridiculous.  Cannabis is a G*D given plant, get these ignorant prosecutors and judges replaced by educated and rational people.  Mr. Forchion is one of the last of the true Americans who stand up for their rights!  GO WEEDMAN!

Prosecutor: NJWeedman is a “charlatan … a wolf in hemp clothing”
(want to guess the Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano is a racist.)

Is Colorado University of Boulder Violating Constitution? Looks Like It!

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CU Boulder has been the location for the 4/20 right to use Cannabis protests for years and now they want to violate our Constitutionally protected Rights.

This is a quote pulled from the Denver Post yesterday: (link)

Those not affiliated with CU-Boulder will not be permitted on campus and face tickets for trespassing. Those cited for trespassing face punishment of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. District Attorney Stan Garnett has discussed April 20 enforcement operations with CU Police officials. His office will handle the prosecution of those who receive tickets. “As always, healing the District Attorney’s Office will work to support the efforts of the CU Police Department,” Garnett said.”

This is only weeks after Boulder D.A Stan Garnett sent U.S. Attorney John Walsh a letter that sent a very different and encouraging message. In the letter, Garnett recommended law enforcement focus instead on “terrorism, serious economic crime, organized crime and serious drug dealing (involving significant amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine).”

The threats are now directed back at We The People for walking on CU Boulder’s campus, an activity the public has participated in since the campus opened as a public institution in 1877. This is a direct attack on our Rights and must be confronted with truth and education.

It is strange how law enforcement has stepped up their threats and how they refuse to protect the will of the people, especially as we head towards November’s elections and a vote to possibly legalize Cannabis in Colorado.  This is a free speech issue and 420 is a protest expressing the problems with Cannabis prohibition.

Stan Garnett may be doing his job and we must do ours, this is still a movement and that movement requires WE THE PEOPLE to stand up and protest against what is inherently wrong and stand up for that which is in our best interests.

America is amazing because we have the right to express our individual beliefs in regards to our health, religion and in regards to using Cannabis as we choose, among so many other areas. Remove the government from our bodies and lifestyles!

Stan Garnett sent me a Facebook message, “The issues with 4/20 are public safety/public order issues, not use of marijuana issues. I think the whole 4/20 event is counterproductive to the legalization effort, but we will treat whatever tickets we get individually and on a case by case basis.”

This is not about my personal opinion of the legalization effort, it is about the right of WE THE PEOPLE to protest.  I agree that public safety is a very important issue and should be handled as such. These include simple services such as access to bathrooms and first aid as well as peace officers stationed in places where people can get help if they need it, among other things. In past years of the 420 protest, there have been few safety/public order issues and the closure is unwarranted.

In fact, the response of CU Police could result in a riot. With a potential attendance of over 15,000 people and the probability that police will violate people’s Rights, the likelihood of problems is increased substantially.

There are quite a few problems with what CU Police are threatening to do. Many people walk through CU Boulder as it is right in the middle of the city, do they are they going to be given tickets for trespassing? Sounds like unfair treatment and use of a law.

At this point, if you get a ticket, take it to court and fight it. Unfortunately this will cost the city quite a bit of money either way. Keep in mind we have a weak economy and the city will do what they can to take more from you. One person said that this is another way to extort more money from the public.

Stan Garnett did respond to my request for an interview and we are aiming to meet this week. I plan to address the communication with John Walsh as well as the situation that is being created by the 420 events in Boulder. I am hoping a positive relationship, between the city and the people, can result from this years protest.

CU Boulder should retract this IMMEDIATELY, before the police create a situation where a riot may start.  Try working with us as people and things will get better instead of worse. Government control is too totalitarian at this time and WE THE PEOPLE must STAND UP to protect our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!

From what I understand, the government is not allowed to discriminate against activities due to the controversial content of the message. If we demonstrate that similar events have been allowed in the past, in which their was city involvement, that can be used as precedence, and that the government is involved in selective enforcement.

Please write letters NOW to the media demanding a retraction of the 420 articles and that a CORRECTION is printed saying this is a CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED PROTEST!

GOV. GARY JOHNSON CALLS FEDERAL RAID ON MARIJUANA ADVOCATE’S HOME AN “OUTRAGE”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Hunter
media@garyjohnson2012.com
801-303-7924

GOV. GARY JOHNSON CALLS FEDERAL RAID ON MARIJUANA ADVOCATE’S HOME AN “OUTRAGE”

Calls Obama Crack-Down Harrassment

April 3, ampoule DC – Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, seeking the Libertarian Presidential nomination, today assailed the Obama Administration for ” a systematic crack-down on medical marijuana as allowed by state law”. Johnson said the Obama Administration’s action was contrary to the President’s assurances on the issue in 2008 and a memo released by his Justice Department two years ago.

Responding to searches conducted Monday by federal agents of the home and business of a long-time Oakland, CA, marijuana legalization advocate, Johnson called on the Obama Administration to “find better things to do with our tax dollars than raiding Richard Lee’s home in a selective enforcement of bad law.”

Monday morning, federal agents executed search warrants at the home of Richard Lee, a well-known advocate for marijuana legalization in California, and at an Oakland cannabis industry trade school Lee founded. The school, as well as Lee’s other medical marijuana businesses, are operated in accordance with California law and local ordinances. Monday’s searches appear to be part of an on-going effort by the government to assert federal enforcement against California’s medical marijuana laws.

Johnson, a vocal advocate for drug law reform, said, “It defies belief that, at the very same time that President Obama is standing in the Rose Garden with the President of Mexico talking about efforts to reduce drug-related violence, his federal agents are harassing a respected advocate for sensible drug law reform by raiding his home and business and ‘detaining’ him for questioning. Richard Lee isn’t the problem. Failed marijuana prohibition is the problem, and making an ‘example’ of a citizen who is operating within state and local law is not only offensive, but a massive waste of law enforcement time and money.

“It wasn’t enough to send in the DEA and the U.S. Marshals. They felt compelled to send the Internal Revenue Service in as well. The voters of California have made it clear that they regard medical marijuana, regulated and dispensed in a safe manner, to be acceptable in their communities. Do the Feds not have more pressing responsibilities than to persecute those, like Richard Lee, who are simply trying to provide a service those communities have clearly said they want?

“I would like to think America is not a place where the federal police come knocking on the doors of legitimate businesses and private homes just to ‘enforce’ laws that make no sense and to shut down private enterprises that are, in fact, reducing harm and offering an alternative to the dangers of the illegal drug trade.”

####

For more information regarding Governor Johnson, please visit www.garyjohnson2012.com.

About Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1994-2002, has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for limited, efficient government and personal liberty.

The Feds are coming, the Feds are coming (Gallup, Gallup, gallup)

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case show us the data. The data can be spun in so many ways and until the information is put on the table by the Federal Government and WE THE PEOPLE make OUR decision about this issue this is unresolved.

The protection of our children and young people is of our utmost concern and to continue with the rhetoric that is spewing from the federal servants is to harm our children in the worst way. Our children see through the propaganda and lies that have been propagated for so many years, why do you think that we are at this point anyway?

I love you as a human, but your propaganda is profound.The “reason” there has been an increase in use with teens is due to the fact the the age bracket, which did include teens to a specific age of 16, but that has been changed. It now includes an older demographic that does have a higher use rate, but that age group has actually seen a decrease in use of Cannabis in the medical states. It is all about how you spin the data. I want to see the data so I can respond to the insanity of the Feds.

(Read Here)