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Plainsman1963

Local clothing maker speaks on hemp bill
08-23-06 | Times-Standard.Com | Chris Durant

ARCATA -- Jennifer Harris didn't know a new bill allowing farmers to grow industrial hemp was on the table, but when told it passed the State Assembly on Monday and only needed the governor's signature to become legal, she was pleasantly surprised.

Harris owns HempSown and makes clothing from hemp fabric she imports from China.

”The importing is expensive,” Harris said.

She said it may take a while for California manufacturers to reach the quality Chinese manufacturers have, but since she just learned her importing prices may go up she thinks now's the time.

Assembly Bill 1147 was authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine.

It passed with a vote of 43 to 28 and is on the way to the governor's desk for a signature.

It will allow farmers to only grow industrial hemp for seeds, oil and fiber and not the more famous cousin, marijuana.

The plant will only be allowed to be grown in agricultural fields, not in back yards or clandestine settings.

”Products manufactured with industrial hemp are already a multimillion dollar industry in California, but because we don't allow our farmers to grow it, California manufacturers are forced to buy hemp seed, oil and fiber from
other countries,” said Leno in a statement. “This measure will allow California to lead the way in allowing our farmers to supply a $270 million industry that's growing by $26 million each year.”

Harris said she has never been interfered with by the government when importing the fabric.

”Law enforcement will not be impacted because asset forfeiture laws act as a powerful deterrent to farmers growing illegal marijuana; they simply won't risk seizure of their fields,” said DeVore. “That's why marijuana is usually grown on government lands in clandestine groves. Law enforcement can easily discern the difference between hemp and marijuana as they do now in over 30 nations.”

Harris said it's not just for fabric, but hemp can be transformed into plastics and construction materials.

”I hope they use it for fuel,” Harris said.

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