MONTPELIER, Vt.—A House committee has unanimously passed a bill that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana.
But hemp crops won't be sprouting in Vermont anytime soon. The plant, which can be used to make rope and other products, now falls under federal anti-drug rules because it has trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical THC that is found in marijuana.
Supporters of hemp, which is grown in every industrialized country except the United States, say Vermont farmers have a chance to capitalize on a potentially profitable plant if the federal government changes the rules.
"Eventually, the federal government is going to have to change its policy on hemp," said Amy Shollenberger, head of Rural Vermont. "We see this bill ... as making sure farmers in Vermont are on the front lines when it does."
Hemp oil is used in food and beauty products and fiber and cellulose in the plant's stalks can be used to make textiles, building materials and fuel.
About a six other states have passed similar bills.
Nationally law enforcement officials have criticized the hemp legalization push saying hemp crops would undermine their battles against marijuana.
But Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said Wednesday that testimony from police in Canada show that the differences in the two plants are easily discerned.
"The reality, we've learned, is that should not be a concern," Zuckerman said.
Rep. Albert Perry, D-Richford, said he was skeptical of the legislation at first.
"My own reaction to it was 'Why would we want to do that?'" he said. "As we got into it more, my reaction was, 'Why wouldn't we want to do that?'"
------
Information from: The Times Argus, http://www.timesargus.com/
