What YOU Can Do RIGHT NOW!

It is SO SIMPLE you will not believe you have just helped the cause.

Just visit the following link:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/allow_american_farmers_to_grow_industrial_hemp
and vote "YES". If you do not have a sign-in or log-in with Change.org, please do so! It only takes a few seconds, and this will be a chance for you to have your voice heard!

Our Executive Director, Everett Swift, has made a sensible posting on this user-voting site, and it has been getting a lot of fanfare. As of this writing we need only 44 more votes before this becomes a "Top Idea" from the American Public, and becomes submitted to Congress and President Obama.

WE CAN DO THIS!
Thank you for being involved.

Sincerely,

Paul Pearson, Communications Director, MIHEMP/MichiganHemp.org
313.622.3429
Sunday, February 7, 2010 | 4:19pm

Pot smokers have it right

I hear it all of the time, “the hemp debate is supported heavily by dope smokers,” or something along those lines. To me it is one of the most stupid arguments a person can use; it illustrates ignorance and how closed-minded the person is.

The reason I find it ignorant and closed-minded is because the people who say it are the people who have never taken the time to learn this issue, and are in most cases marijuana prohibitionists who lump pot and Industrial Hemp into the same category.

Not all Industrial Hemp advocates are “dope smokers” but I will have to admit a large number are, and there is a good reason for this.

The dope smokers, potheads, stoners, or whatever you want to call them, have an open mind and have taken the time to educate themselves. They have an interest in all things Cannabis related, and are always looking to learn more about it: how to grow it, what strands are most potent, what strands to avoid; you name it, they are very passionate about their favorite herb.

While on the other hand prohibitionists are a very closed-minded group of people. They refuse to educate themselves on any aspect of the Cannabis plant and what Industrial Hemp really is. They don’t want to know the facts because then they would have to find out they agree with the pot smokers and no way in hell are they going to admit that! So instead of educating themselves about the non-drug aspects of the Cannabis plant, they continue to rely on ignorance to make up their mind on the subject.

There is a growing list of people who are not in either category, and those are the people who rely on common sense and education to guide them. They don’t judge an idea or issue on who is promoting it but rather they take time to learn and educate themselves on the facts. And that’s the way it should be.

So wake up prohibitionists, when it comes to Industrial Hemp the pot smokers have it right, they have common sense and education on their side, what do you have?

How about you take time to educate yourself on Industrial Hemp with an open mind?
The truth should not be discounted regardless of who is telling it.

Look at the facts from both sides, then make up your mind.

Two long reads, but worth it.

Want to do Research on Industrial Hemp? We at MIHEMP are often asked what independent research do we have on IH? Well, here are 2 awesome links to PDFs you can download and read at will. If you have any questions, contact us at MichiganHemp.org; Everett Swift, Executive Director at eswift@mi-hemp.org; or Paul Pearson, Director of Communication at paul@michiganhemp.org or 31.622.3429.

This is valuable information. Share it. Post it. Learn it.

#1) Here is the most comprehensive document that is available on Industrial Hemp and the market for it now. This is what they are doing in Canada and what we should be doing right now.

http://www.hemptrade.ca/docs/National_Industrial_Hemp_Strategy_Final_Complete2.pdf

National Industrial Hemp Strategy – Canada
Prepared for: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiative
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Contract Number: ARDI III B-27
March 30th, 2008
358 pages
(PDF file 6.5MB)

#2) Reason Magazine, which is an online and printed presence, is the voice of Libertarian policies and politics. Neither Democratic or Liberal, but taking the best of both, this publication puts proper skeptical inquiry into social issues. Reason Mag. may not make you agree, but it will make you think.

http://reason.org/files/a41dc5ddc78aedfad560b7820956c937.pdf

Remember: Ecology, Economy, Environment. Hemp.

Montmorency County Tribune, Feb 3rd 2010

Daryl Peterson is appointed to County Board of Commissioners
- by Yvonne Swager

Daryl Peterson has been appointed as county commissioner of District III. Three people expressed interest in the board seat and were interviewed at the regular county board meeting Jan. 27.

Peterson said he had been serving the public for 40 years. He said he was familiar with the headaches that accompany public service, and he was ready for a few more.

Everett Swift said he would represent the people as if elected if he were appointed as commissioner. He said he thought the short-term appointment would help him determine if he would like to run for the position in the future.

Arthur Hunt said he was interested in serving as a commissioner so he can help solve some of the county’s problems. He said more consideration should be given to utilizing technology for increased productivity.

A motion to nominate Peterson passed. Board members indicated Peterson’s lengthy resume of public service and accounting skills was a primary factor in his appointment as commissioner.

Swift not only addressed the board regarding his interest in serving the county, but he once again appealed to the board to pass a resolution in favor of allowing the growth of industrial hemp in Montmorency County.

Although there is no ordinance in the county prohibiting growth of the plant, farmers need the support of local governments in order to apply to the state for a permit. It was the third time appealing to the board for support.

Swift said the Declaration of Independence provides that all men are created equal. Since some farmers in other states have obtained permits, he said rights of those here are being violated.

"Why is it that the Declaration of Independence does not apply to us?" Swift asked.

According to Swift, Terrie Case, county attorney, has incorrectly determined the growth of hemp is illegal. Case said she spent a number of hours researching the issue in all the times Swift has approached the board regarding permission to grow hemp.

Case said the Drug Enforcement Agency issued an opinion in 2003 that indicated hemp is a controlled substance.

"I have to follow the DEA rules," Case said.

Instead of voting on Swift’s resolution, the board approved a letter to be provided to the state that acknowledges federal interpretation and states "…there is no ordinance in Montmorency County which would prohibit this agricultural endeavor should it be removed from the Schedule 1 controlled substance list."