Hemp Lobby Chronicles

Sen. Swecker;

It is so refreshing to hear a politician say they could possibly be open to listening about industrial hemp. The last time I made an effort in Olympia, the response from your colleagues was “you must be out of your mind if you think I am going to sponsor a bill to grow marijuana.” That was 1997, the same year Canada first permitted their farmers to grow hemp. This year Canadian farmer will plant over 45,000 acres for seed and fiber, double last years seeding.

Thanks to the internet, many web-sites are now up and running packed with the latest products available for market today. A wide range of goods from animal bedding to healthy eatable food stuffs high in Omega Fatty Acids are at the convenience of your finger tips on your home computer. The politics of hemp are also defined on the web. The web-site with the most up-to-date relevance with the industrial hemp political issues would be www.votehemp.com, and also at our www.hemplobby.org web-site where we offer links to many other hemp resources.

What we really need is the farm base. We need to rejuvenate the local family farm industry. With the two major distribution centers within 100 miles in either direction, we are in a winning position to capitalize on emerging green economy. Hemp is the key to cellulostic energy, which is the second generation of bio-fuels. We seem to be spending money on yesterdays technology rather than the next generation. I am referring to the Bio-fuels facility on Grays Harbor. I hear they are going to import the seed oil. What is the difference if we import seed oil or crude oil? It is still importing or energy, and that leaves us vulnerable.

I could ramble for hours on this subject, but I’ll let you off the hook till you ask for more, but in closing I will only add, any law past that will allow industrial hemp to be grow will be doomed for failure, unless there is also a companion bill regulating and taxing marijuana. The World Health Organization has stated, marijuana is less harmful to society than alcohol or tobacco. Government must rebuild trust through honesty. No more “gateway drug” bull manure.

P.S. I understand you raise fish? The mash left from pressing the oil from hemp seed is a great fish food supplement, just one more useful by-product of this amazing plant. I feed 5% hemp seed mix to my back yard chicken flock to enrich the eggs with omega 3 and 6.

Ed Saukkooja; Director, Hemplobby.org

P.S.S. This letter is also being sent to my attorney and to hemplobby.orgs communication director.

My friends at Vote Hemp make a very strong argument when they claim cannabis with less than 1% THC can be distinguished from cannabis with over that amount. This, though, is not the primary issue with the North Dakota effort. The real issue is whether the ONDPC and the DEA grant the permit applied for by the North Dakota farmers, or not.

I profoundly disagree with the whole process. First, the socialist idea that farmers must get permission from any Federal agency to plant any seed is un-American and unpatriotic. I know my friends at Vote Hemp understand the bureaucratic boondoggle they are entering. But, while they and a select North Dakota farmer are willing to spend precious assets complying with the DEA process, how can the local family farmer afford a $3400 non-refundable application fee?

This will set a precedent that will cripple the emergence of this vital crop for the all American. I am not talking about the ConAgra’s or ADM’s of the world, but the friend down the road having a 40 acre farm and old tractor making a living growing hemp for a healthier and more prosperous America.

I understand Vote Hemps’ strategy: the application to manufacture marijuana will be denied, then Vote Hemp and their lawyers will sue the DEA. Even if Vote Hemp wins the court fight at the Supreme Court level, what will we have won? Make the DEA grant the request? Then where will we be? What farmer wants Federal DEA agents requesting mountains of paperwork, additional fees, harassing, and generally constructing road blocks at every stag of the hemp industries development.

Cellulistic Bio-fuels, plastics developed form cellulose, healthy food products high in omega fatty acids, fabrics, cordage, even parts for the auto industry, and more are being developed off our shores in Europe, China, Canada. In over 40 countries around the world hemp is grown with limited restriction, and without the hint of a drug problem. Why is the American farmer being punished?

My vision is to have Congress tax and regulate marijuana. This would resolve the industrial hemp issue and set up a method of taxing the vice of consuming marijuana recreationally. The many chemical compounds contained in marijuana should be researched to their full medical potentials.

I do consider smoking marijuana a vice, but a much less harmful one than smoking cigarettes or consuming alcohol, affirmed by the World Health Organization.

The money and effort going into this first application to grow industrial hemp by Vote Hemp could be much better spent lobbying Congress and more State legislators to adopt reasonable laws regulating marijuana and encourage more cannabis research.

E-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd

The following is a e-mail I sent to my State Rep. last week. I am still waiting a reply. Hopefully this week.

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Rep. Alexander;

Thank you very much for your quick response. As these bills work their way through the legislative process, I would be willing for you to use my expertise in this area. I have been promoting the development of a hemp fiber and seed industry in the Boistfort Valley for over a dozen years.

Several farmers in the greater upper Chehalis River valleys have shown interest to the point of dedicating over 1500 acres to the development of the hemp industry. Weyerhaeuser’s old pole yard at the confluence of the South Fork of the Chehalis River and Highway 6 would be a natural spot for the construction of processing facilities.

I have been marketing products derived from hemp since 1990. Someday it would be nice to sell a product once again grown in the United States. I was a founding member and served on the board of directors of the Hemp Industries Association in the mid-90s. I lobbied in Olympia in the late 90s, but the legislature was not ready to accept the notion we could grow hemp without creating a massive drug problem in the State. Believing the legislature has matured in this area, I will soon make another attempt at encouraging you and others to make the very best decisions for the farmers and voting citizens of our district.

In all honesty, I would like to see drug laws revised offering a legitimate method for the citizens of this State to pay a sin tax on Marijuana. This would allow for the regulation of recreational marijuana activities which are less harmful to society than cigarettes, or alcohol, as stated by the World Health Organization. The King County Bar Association has a plan to tax and regulate cannabis. Would you take a close and comprehensive look at the proposal the Bar Association has put forward?

Again, I want to thank you for your honest and quick response to my suggestion that you sponsor hemp legislation.

Ed Saukkooja
Hemplobby.org Director
P.O. Box 267
Pe Ell, WA. 98572
Ph. 360 291 3117

Returning to the house after feeding the small flock of chickens my wife keeps in the back yard, (for the fresh, free range, hemp seed fed omega enriched eggs we have come to appreciate,) I noticed a big Red Tail hawk perched atop a large maple tree 200 yards down the abandon rail road tracks at the old mill site. I watched the hawk take flight and begin soaring higher and higher. Turning my attention back to the chicken pen came the ever present local crow population competing with the chickens for the grain and kitchen scraps I had just deposited.

We had lost a young hen a few days before and my thoughts returned to the hawk. Did that hawk take our hen? There are skunks, possum, raccoons, weasel, mink, and numerous other critters roaming the area that are also likely suspects for the answer to the missing hen.

I had walked into the house and was getting a drink of water at the kitchen sink looking out the window when bang, like a bolt of lightning, that red tail came from the heavens and slammed one of the crows pinning it to the ground. Getting a good grasp with its talons, the big red tail lifted off and took its prey over the hedge row to be devoured.

After being so impressed I had witnessed nature at its most violent, I mentioned the incident to a few of my neighbors who also have back yard mini egg factories. All had noticed the presence of the flying predator in the area and all had lost chickens. One neighbors told me she lost 7 of her bantams. Guns are at the ready, endangered species act or not, this is war.

Well, that’s not the end of the story. Our flock has dwindled to one hen and 2 roosters. Not a good ratio. I mentioned to the wife we should either get more hens or rid ourselves of one non-egg laying, scratch eating, early crowing occupant of the chicken house.

We procrastinated to long. The young rooster had had enough hazing from the old bird and the fight was on. It was a bloody mess. Ellen ran out with a broom to effect diplomacy leaving the gate open. The fight continued with no deference to Ellen’s attempts to intervene. Out of the pen they came, over the flower garden, under the deck. The momentum of the battle swayed to and fro, with the old bird getting the early advantage. The fight continued and moved to the front yard, then the road. Traffic was forced to stop. I considered charging admission, or at least start making book.

The battle on Cedar St. came to an end after 15 minutes of near mortal combat under a car in the parking space in front of the house. When the dust and feathers cleared, the younger cock with more stamina prevailed.

While the big Red Tail still rules the sky over the neighborhood, the corner of Pe Ell Ave. and Cedar St. definitely has a new cock on the block. Nature is cruel to the preyed upon, and old cocks that have lost their stamina.

E-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd

Our daughter called last night worried about her young puppy. The four month old Jack Russell Terrier was acting strange. Ears back, scared, nose dripping, and other non-normal behaviors. This was about 10 PM last night. She called the vet. Spoke with a vet-tech who persuaded her to wait till morning and see how the little bitch was doing.

She called this morning, pup was doing a little better, but still not quite right. The little bitch was, kinda, walking sideways and her balance was messed up. By this time our daughter had time to think about the situation, and came to the conclusion, the pup had eaten her husbands medical marijuana cookie.

We assured her the pup would recover, but would most likely have a change of personality, reminding her of our families Big Dog.

Big Dog was our pet in the early 90’s. Big was part wolf, Irish Elk Hound, Mackenzie River Husky mix. Big dog was a chicken killen, turkey killen, deer and elk chasin, hole diggin, most lovable beast I’d ever had.

I had received some marijuana butter from a friend. It sat in the back of our frig for quite some time. Cleaning the frig one day, my wife said we must get rid of this stuff. So not wanting to waste this 1/2 pound of pot butter, I put it on the back porch for the several cats living in our wood pile to enjoy.

Well you guessed it, Big Dog chased all the cats away and ate the entire 1/2 pound of butter himself. For 2 days we didn’t know if he was going to survive. He was out, and non-responsive to all stimuli. Finally he woke, taking hours getting to all four feet. Falling down the stairs and walking like a drunken sailor for another several hours, he recovered with no apparent ill affects.

Old Big was never quit the same after that experience though. Just a much milder, non killing mellow member of the family.

E-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd

In a recent blog the question was asked, “why are we still in Iraq?” The President answered that question this morning. Bush in a morning news conference spoke the truth when he stated, “money trumps peace.” I am surprised he made that admission.

The multinational corporations have vested interests in securing Middle Eastern oil, and Iraq is their key. Let me suggest you read about the “Project for the New America Century,” at www.newamericancentury.org.

In a nut shell, a group of 30 prominent hawks signed a letter to President Clinton in the mid 90’s suggesting we invade Iraq and use it as a military center of operations controlling events in the Middle East. The main goal of this occupation would be to secure the West’s energy needs for the 21st century with that regions’ oil reserves.

Clinton refused, then 9/11. This gave the hawks, some whom made it to the White House with the Bush administration, new ammunition pushing their imperialist notion. Unfortunately, Bush didn’t refuse. By invading Iraq, we have opened the proverbial Pandora’s Box.

Unless the citizenry demands withdrawal of all our troops from Iraq, those behind the Project for a New American Century will see their wishes prevail. We will establish permanent basses in Iraq, and make no mistake, it is all about oil. We will do this or break the treasury and the military in the attempt.

How much of our wealth and how many lives have we already spent trying to accomplish this? Let me suggest that if that kind of money had been used to prefect alternative fuel technologies, we would have no need to be in the region.

There will be wars and rumors of wars as long as we keep perpetuating them. The Shiites and the Sunnis will fight, but why does it need to be our fight? The Arabs and the Jews are going to fight eventually, but why does it need to be our battle.

It is time we take care of our own and those that request our help. I contend, the only reason we are there is because of the regions’ oil. The debate must be, imperialism vs. developing alternatives. Who wants to make the argument that we need to kill because someone else controls our energy source?

Osama bin Laden and his followers wanted to oust Hussein from Kuwait in 91 seeking help from the Saudi family to do so. Bin Laden told the Arab nations that it was their responsibility to keep Hussein in check, stating, “If you let the American’s take care of this problem, we will never be rid of them.” He was right.

Declare victory and bring our troops home now! We should not be refereeing their disputes. It’s our problem because we have made it so: “Money Trumps Peace.”

By the way, how are your energy and defense industry stocks doing? Please don’t let money trump your peace.

E-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd

The fate of North Dakota farmers wanting to grow marijuana is in the hands of the Federal Drug Administration’s Drug Enforcement Agency, or is it? Will the farmers post the $3400 non-refundable permit application fee to grow marijuana with the DEA? Our friends at Vote Hemp are asking for financial help. Supporters of growing marijuana for industrial uses are being asked to pay the brave farmers non-refundable permit application fee. I love saying it — $3400 non-refundable permit application fee !!!!!

Remember, with the non-refundable permit application fee, the farmer is admitting he wants to grow marijuana. All-be-it very low octane pot, it might get a fly high, what will the DEA do? Will they grant these first two permits and open the flood gates to every Tom, Dick, and Mari Jane to grow bad pot, or will they deny the application and face a certain court battle,which, with-out question, will reach the Supreme Court down the line.

I wish all well, and that the North Dakota farmers are allowed to grow hemp. What ever action is taken, either by the DEA or the Courts, the final solution lays at the feet of Congress.

Reverse laws that put DEA agents on our farms. Reverse laws prohibiting farmers from growing industrial hemp. Reverse laws stopping me and 50,000,000 other tax paying Americans from self medicating with cannabis, Reverse laws promoting the arrest of over 700,000 American’s last year on marijuana related charges, with over 85% arrested for mere possession of small amounts of pot, (under 40 grams).

The enforcement of “drug laws” are for the benefit of the drug companies, and not to protect the public health or interests. Marijuana, being such a health hazard to the American public, why not turn it over to the Surgeon General and out of hands of the Attorney General?

To learn more about efforts in North Dakota go to:

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/16641927.htm

e-nuff from Pe Ell; hempEd

Why can’t we leave Iraq tomorrow? What is the great National interest to be there any longer? No chemical weapons, no nuke program, they had elections, the bad Iraqi army has been destroyed, and the Country is rid of it’s evil Dictator - why are we still there? Our military has accomplished the mission they were sent to do. Why are we still in Iraq?

Some people are afraid of a Shiite caliphate dominating the Middle East. Others worried of a Sunni lead Jihad against the West if they gain control of the massive oil fields of Iraq. I ask myself, “Why are we concerned who controls the region?” Wouldn’t it be to our advantage to let the two sides fight it out among themselves? How could that scenario hurt the citizens of the United States?

I’m listening to a debate on the Senate floor - love C-Span - about if we should stay or start pulling back and not get ourselves in the middle of a war between the two dominate Muslim factions. What I am not hearing is anything convincing me that our staying could possibly be in the best interest of the United States. Is it to stop Iraqi from killing Iraqi? If that is the case, then it is a civil war, and I don’t think many signed on to play referee in that type of conflict.

Could it be to protect Israel? I don’t think so. It wasn’t even mentioned during the debate, and anyway, the Israelis have proven they can take care of themselves. Besides, if it doesn’t work out for them, we could give them Florida and still come out ahead.

I just want to know why we are still there; and I don’t believe any of our politicians can honestly tell the American people what’s up. If this war is worth over 3000 of our finest and still counting, then it is worth a greater sacrifice by the rest of us. If this is so crucial to the United States, why aren’t we all being asked to help win it? All any of us - other than our military families - have been asked to do is keep our mouths shut, support the Administration, and “keep on shoppin.”

I believe we have backed ourselves into a corner. We have had 30 years to get our energy house in order, and we have done very little. Now with a botched military venture to change the culture in Iraq, there is a great possibility we won’t be able to keep the lid on things. We might be cut off from the Middle East oil tit, and not only will our economy collapse, but we could even face food shortages and the loss of goods and services. If our politicians would come right out and tell us the truth, I could be more supportive of the real US - Capitalistic Pigs at the world trough.

E-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd

While EXxon and all it’s stock holders head for the bank with profits of over 39 billion dollars net income last year, the folks in Valdez, Cordova, Native villages, and the rest of Prince Williams Sound, let alone the State of Alaska, still have not been compensated for the March 89 grounding and subsequent release of 11 million gallons of North Slope crude from their single hauled supper tanker, the EXxon Valdez.

Fish stocks have not yet reach the pre EXxon Valdez catastrophe. Herring populations were devastated. The spill was at the most critical time, as the herring were gathering for the spawn. Fisherman, the heart of wealth gathering in town of Cordova, have lost everything.

Why has EXxon not done the right thing. Why have they not paid the money the courts have ordered? Is it because the laws and the courts have become more corporate friendly? Pay the lawyers, keep the whole issue under appeal. Why do people still invest in EXxon stock when they are aware of the company has this debt.
Is it because investors know EXxon will never pay their debt to Alaska.

My thoughts from Pe Ell; e-nuff, HempEd

Why at 60 years old, did I think I needed a dog. Especially a big one, and getting bigger. This dog is kicking my ass. Today, for instance, she was pacing back and forth, so I put her out on her run. A short time later, I went to let her back in the house. What a mess, it was sprinkling rain, and the combination of the rain and her digging a hole half way to the peaks of Nepal, she was filthy.
What to do, what to do? To cold to turn the hose on her, and Ellen would have turned the hose on me if I were to bring her back into the house full of mud. “Light bulb”! We have a bath house, (sauna) why not, so in we go.
Our sauna has a shower, so dog and I took a shower, picture that.
That’s e-nuff from Pe Ell; HempEd