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Man Aims to Become 1st U.S. Hemp Farmer

ibtimes.com — David Monson began pushing the idea of growing industrial hemp in the United States a decade ago. Now his goal may be within reach - but first he needs to be fingerprinted.

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  • iDragonFly, on 10/12/2007, -1/+58These government imposed fees for growing hemp seem ridiculously excessive to me.
    As a matter of fact, why should there be any fees or criminal background check required at all for growing this benign plant?
    Seems like a money grab to me as well as a way of discouraging farmers from converting to this crop.
    Too many toes being stepped on apparently.

    All the same, I'm glad to see hemp making a comeback.
    • rancemo, on 10/12/2007, -4/+39Their just trying to get as many people into their databases as possible. Next thing you know, you'll need to submit fingerprints and DNA to buy groceries... Just to make sure you're not a "criminal". Because criminals shouldn't buy groceries, and they certainly shouldn't grow a harmless plant!
    • hobgobbler, on 10/12/2007, -5/+27The cross pollination could turn many outdoor marijuana farms into hemp, costing the DEA millions of dollars. They aren't stupid.
    • mikesbaker, on 10/12/2007, -7/+16did you ever see the back of a 20 dollar bill on weed?
    • DeathBorn, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2Duuuuuude! That's totally radical!
    • sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -1/+31Hogwash, my neighbors been farming "hemp" for years.
    • metalhead3767, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3And in the middle of the 6 acer hemp field you'll find some good old fashoned marijuana.
    • deags, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3my dad was heavily involved in this business in australia. I know there are a few test crops over here. But he isn't involved in it any more. There is alot of many to made in this business.
    • brizzad, on 10/12/2007, -7/+19"...industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana that does not have the drug's hallucinogenic properties..."
      Since when does weed make you hallucinate?
    • mikeazorin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15***** you, corn lobbyists.
    • nazsco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2there was a history here some time ago, explaining that the japaneses attacked most hemp producing islands in the war, and that alone led the us to research new materials for ropes, heavily used by the navy.

      before that, most of the ropes where made of hemp.
    • killinger777, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Grass. A documentary.
      http://videos.netscape.com/story/2006/12/06/the-history-of-marijuana-grass-full-documentary/
    • glasgowm, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6@brizzad

      Weeds hallucinogenic properties are often ignored.
      Go eat 3g of high quality Hashish. I find it stronger than a 200ug acid trip (2 good blotters)
    • OBKenobi, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16I don't understand how they can justify making hemp illegal in the first place. Hemp isn't a drug, how did they ever sneak this law past the American people?

      Don't answer that. Sigh...
    • krinthekuz, on 09/16/2008, -0/+4there was a history of marijuana on digg a while back that explained why this is stupid. the story went something like: a bunch of dirty congressman outlawed weed on the day before x-mas when congress was half empty (due to the holiday) and the pres didnt veto. they voted to outlaw the marijuana plant and everything close to it bc the plant grows so unbelievably fast, and many products that can be made from it were direct competitors with many other industries that congressman and their friends had grossly invested in - cotton, corn, and oil were the big ones. oil was the big one then bc oil was used in the form of petroleum to make plastics.

      they were merely protecting investments, which is essentially what bush did for oil, and cheney did for halliburton.

      and if you think weed will be legal any time soon, you're [unfortunately] delusional. prisons with drug convicts (20 yrs for selling a few bags of weed) are essentially slave labor suppliers. private companies run many aspects inside prisons, include construction, laundry/uniforms, and food, all of which mostly employ inmates who work to reduce their sentence. these companies are incredibly profitable. i don't remember, but i think they covered this in one of the penn/teller ***** episodes.
    • iDragonFly, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ djlosch

      You nailed it!
  • BigKitty, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4Industrial hemp NOT = psychoactive drug.
  • hiPpymIck, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3they grow hemp in uk here
    http://www.edenproject.com/horticulture/1078.html

    maybe you could use this hemp fence on your mexican border might need to be a bit longer tho
    "The fence, which is 30 metres long by three metres high, is constructed from tubular stainless steel, woven together with rope made from twisted and spliced Hemp fibres. The rope will be left as its natural beige colour and will be a striking addition to the other artistic interpretations already installed at Eden."
    http://www.edenproject.com/arts/624.html

    hemp surf board
    http://www.edenproject.com/foundation/2425.html

    eden project vid
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ2kTaXGTBI
  • thall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I have several pairs of hemp socks. Much more comfortable than standard sports tube socks or wool.
    • sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8But can you make puppets out of them?
    • thall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Of course! But your hand will feel so comfortable you'll likely lose concentration and your puppets will act like they're on drugs ;-)
  • nthitz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+351st hemp farmer? Weren't there tons of hemp farmers back in revolutionary times.
    • olddirtycr, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Well i think this article is saying the first one to have just a huge crop just for hemp.
    • 4to15characters, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1this'll be a good idea until his farm burns down x_x
    • sirloin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9lol no.. some farms only grew hemp in the us.
      there was even a law you had to grow hemp at one point.
      The government distributed seeds.
      It was huge in kentucky, you still see tons of it along railroad tracks
      and no i would rather smoke a tshirt than hemp.
    • fantasticFlan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1First modern hemp farmer?
    • metalhead3767, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Tons of weed growing along the railroad tracks?
  • friedman420, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2i thought growing hemp was legal in certian states, maybe the first hemp farmer in North Dakota, but not in the United States. Check your facts you silly blog/newspaper/whatever.
    • Smuikas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It's not. Nationally. Until now.

      California legislators have been fighting for it a long time, and the feds have been battling them over it. Wonder how ND got this through..
  • newdna, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7You mean 1st US Hemp Farmer Of The 21st Century That Is Legitimate, right?
    • sirloin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2and see that isnt even right as there was a hemp research farm in Hawaii until recently.
      I think you have to add commercial along with 21 century.
  • netjd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5nthitz beat me to it... there were hemp farmers in colonial times as wel as USA's early years, our constitution being written on hemp fiber paper and hemp fiber being used to make clothing and especially rope. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that the crop should be planted everywhere because of yield and it's limited soil degradation. The gentleman the article refers to will not be the 1rst in USA to grow hemp.
  • Clp727, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3"Last month, the state Agriculture Department finished its work on rules farmers may use to grow industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana that does not have the drug's hallucinogenic properties. The sturdy, fibrous plant is used to make an assortment of products, ranging from paper, rope and lotions to car panels, carpet backing and animal bedding."
    Please! Weed doesn't make a person hallucinate!
    ...just relaxes you.
    • Misogyny, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Speak for your self. Or perhaps you don't have access to the stuff I do.
    • glasgowm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Weed? yes it does. Try orally ingesting a good amount.
    • alphacorvus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2As opposed to anally ingesting it..
    • Misogyny, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Actually lots of drugs can be administered rectally. Although I would imagine weed (at least in it's natural state) would not be one of these.
  • triad203, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1First hemp farmer? Somehow I doubt it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Historical_cultivation
  • netjd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_facts.html
  • kelpee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There is a hemp farm about 10 minutes from my house here in Canada.

    Here's their website: http://www.hempola.com/

    They make and sell all kinds of neat things.
    • benijuana, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4hempola looked really cool to me until i saw the dude from nickelback on their website.
  • Nu007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0America's Harried Hemp History

    http://www.hemphasis.net/0102dvorak.htm
  • geronimo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5George Washington grew hemp. Imagine if back then they slapped fees on you for growing it, fingerprinted you.
    • Smuikas, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Imagine if they knew that fingerprints were unique back then!
    • jcaino, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6back 'then' growing hemp was to be expected - it's uses were pretty widespread. it's hard to beat for it's strength and durability, not too mention the ease with which it is grown.

      oh how the US has changed and pulled almost a complete 360 with the likes of a world dictator at the helm.

      bush isn't solely responsible, it's been a long time coming. he's just kind of the icing on the ***** cake.
  • Smuikas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I love how they call MJ hallucinogenic in the article.

    it's psychoactive, dumbass Associated Press.

    Also, it's silly how it's not legal to grow it - legislators always say "but you could hide marijuana in the hemp field!"

    Anyone who knows anything about the way marijuana and hemp are related would know that if you grow them both in the same vicinity you'd ruin both crops...
    • CiXeL, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1only if you planted the crops from seed the following year. having seed with different dna does nothing for the usability of the existing plants.
    • Trogdor420, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The pollen from the industrial hemp crop would pollinate the marijuana crop turning it into a seedy load of bunk!!
  • Adwt0125, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2About time...
  • JJsays, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6We still arresting millions of Americans over pot? Oh I guess we are not that free.
    • RealityCheque, on 10/12/2007, -15/+0Yes, we also arrest people for cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, heroin, morphine, various other opiates, hallucinogens such as mushrooms and peyote (mescaline), LSD, Ecstasy, PCP, public drunkenness, drunk driving, and I'm sure much more.

      Please stop saying that we "aren't free because we aren't allowed to use drugs". If you want to argue that you should be allowed to put whatever you want in your own body, please realize that also includes everything I've listed above. Whether you accept it or not, legalization means increased, widespread usage, which in turn puts many more people (who choose to avoid mind-altering drugs) at risk. It is foolish to claim that legalization of other drugs doesn't put others at risk. NO ONE should have to be hurt or killed because someone was "just having fun" (by using drugs). Legalization ensures that this will happen more than it currently does.

      It's already bad enough having to deal with ***** drunks and drunk drivers; the last thing I need is dealing with even more potheads driving 25MPH in a 45 zone all stoned, paying more attention to trying to not look like they are driving stoned than actually driving.

      The stoners will no doubt digg me down en masse, but it doesn't really matter. The arguments for legalizing it are weak AT BEST, regardless of the reasons it was made illegal in the first place.
    • killinger777, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7"legalization means increased, widespread usage"

      Would you use heroin if it were legal? I wouldn't. I could easily get it now if I wanted it. So what's the difference... other than a few million less prisoners in this country and a few less drug related homicides.
    • kethraal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Ok RealityCheque:

      I could respond to every sentence line-by-line, but instead, I'll just respond to one line which contains the crux of your argument:

      "NO ONE should have to be hurt or killed because someone was "just having fun" (by using drugs). Legalization ensures that this will happen more than it currently does."

      You got 50% of it right -- nobody should be hurt or killed because someone was "just having fun". I agree completely... just like it is illegal to drive drunk, it should be illegal to drive stoned. The restrictions on driving under the influence should have nothing to do with the legality of the compound used to "influence."

      The second part of your sentence ties in with claims that there are no good arguments for legalization. To be honest, the best argument for legalization is "there's no reason for it to be illegal." Of course this is where you and I differ. I believe that it should be every citizens right to do anything which does not harm his fellow citizen. You believe that, unless there are a "sufficient" number of reasons for legalization, that something should be illegal. For a citizen of a country which prides itself on its supposed liberties, your beliefs are somewhat out of place...
    • glasgowm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ RealityCheque.

      Of course every drug should be legal. and unless you would vote to make Alcohol illegal you honestly can't vote to keep any other drug illegal.

      Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that there aren't many drugs worse than Alcohol.

      How about we educate people on drug use so that they can use it responsibly without banning it all together?

      Know your drug. Know your body. Know your source.
    • Trogdor420, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"The stoners will no doubt digg me down en masse....."

      You are right, but not because we are a bunch of mindless drones like you are suggesting. We are digging you down because you are just plain wrong. People who compare the impairment of Marijuana to that of alcohol have obviously never smoked pot. I have been smoking for almost half of my adult life, I would never think about getting behind the wheel after drinking because it seriously farks with my ability to drive. I do however drive under the influence of marijuana. Why you ask? Because marijuana is NOT alcohol. Different drug, different effects......... poor comparison. Nuf' said.
    • quentinmcalmott, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1RealityCheque: "Yes, we also arrest people for ..drunk driving, and I'm sure much more
      "...please realize that [putting whatever you want into your body] also includes everything I've listed above."

      Why does legalizing drugs require legalizing driving under the influence? There's a clear distinction. When you take drugs, you might harm yourself, yes, but you're not harming anyone else. When you drive under the influence, you're taking a huge risk of harming another person. So the right to drive under the influence isn't a necessary consequence of legalization.

      edit: beaten to it. I should've refreshed first. ah well.
    • RealityCheque, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0And how do you plan on testing someone to see if they are high? Marijuana can be spotted in the system for around a month or so...certainly longer than alcohol. So how are police to determine if someone was driving high or not?

      I know a lot of you have good intentions, but there isn't accurate enough testing to determine if you were high at the time of being pulled over.

      So here's the legalization scenario:
      Less people in jail / arrested for marijuana related crimes
      Regulation / control / potential taxation
      More widespread use = more users = more marijuana related accidents (don't throw the "no deaths related to marijuana" bit out there; THC may not be toxic enough to kill, but it certainly can impair one enough to cause an accident)
      No accurate method to test = someone pulled over who smoked a week ago tests positive and is subject to harsh penalties
      Smoke in public places (bars, etc.) causes others around to be subjected to second hand smoke and to potentially test positive

      The way it is currently is:
      Can't smoke in public without risk of getting caught / forced to smoke at a residence or in private
      Illegal to buy, harsh penalties for posession
      Drug dealers live off of illegal, untaxable income
      Prisons are occupied by people dealing and using (mostly just dealing)
      Unable to use it recreational if job requires random drug tests
      Same situation as above for driving high or having it in your system if tested
      Controlled substance means usage is taboo among many circles - punishments restrict many people from becoming habitual users

      I'm not saying that I don't see your side; it is a relatively tame drug in comparison to other controlled substances. There just isn't any good reason that the United States government should allow another "potentially" dangerous substance to be legal, except so that the ones who wish to use it can access it more conveniently.

      I think anything smoked (tobacco as well) should be outlawed due to the fact that it has effects (second hand smoke) on anyone who is around it. I don't like waking up coughing and reeking of smoke just because I wanted to go to a bar with a few of my friends.

    • RealityCheque, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0In addendum: this is the most pointless forum to argue marijuana laws, as the majority of people on digg support legalization and can just use the strength in numbers approach (not saying your opinions are wrong, or even that I am necessarily right, it's just near impossible to make an argument in a forum where you are the vast minority).
    • Trogdor420, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You are allowed to smoke in public places?? Smoking has been completely banned in all public places in most of Canada for at least two years. Canadian marijuana laws are incredibly relaxed compared to the barbaric laws of the US. Why should I go to jail for smoking a completely harmless plant? It just doesn't make a shred of sense to me. People should have the right to smoke marijuana in their own homes without fear of the DEA smashing the door down and shooting their dog. Ummmm.......... What was I just talking about? Oh yeah....... "Don't forget to bring a towel"
    • glasgowm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ RealityCheque

      They're testing "swab tests" here in the UK which can tell whether or not you've smoked recently.
  • 3Den, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1The state might allow it, but federal law prohibits it.. and the DEA won't give a crap if state law let him do it.

    It wouldn't be the first time it will happen; in fact, at the trial, the fact that he was permitted under state law will probably not even be admissible in court.
  • dahitman2389, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1"Last year, Canadian farmers planted 48,060 acres of hemp, government statistics say."

    Time to move and find those fields of glory boys!
  • Gatesophile, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Man, at my school we sold hemp necklaces and bracelets! Why is hemp such a big deal? Crazy ass laws...
  • prettynoiselab, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Great product to work with textile-wise. Looking forward to some nice hemp denim to wear.
  • milkmage, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1um - First Hemp Farmer? No Way.
    http://kentucky.gov/kyhs/hmdb/MarkerSearch.aspx?mode=Subject&subject=216

    Clark County Hemp
    (Marker Number: 1319)

    County: Clark
    Location: 5 mi. W. of Winchester, US 60

    Description: One of the ten Bluegrass counties which produced over 90 percent of the entire country's yield in late 1800s. Production increased from 155 tons in 1869 to over 1,000 tons in 1889, valued at about $125 per ton. In 1942, Winchester selected as site of one of 42 cordage plants built throughout country to offset fiber shortage during war. See over.

    (Reverse) Hemp in Kentucky - First crop grown, 1775. From 1840 to 1860, Ky.'s production largest in U.S. Peak in 1850 was 40,000 tons, with value of $5,000,000. Scores of factories made twine, rope, oakum to caulk sailing ships and cotton bagging. State's largest cash crop until 1915. Market lost to imported jute, freed of tariff. As war measure, hemp grown again during World War II. See over.
  • Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1Give it up, everyone knows this sudden fascination with "industrial" hemp is just a stalking horse for legalization. Just push to legalize pot, ganja-toking wimps.
    • bmartin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yeah, just like "gay marriage" is a push for the "forced moral acceptance" of homosexuality as OK.

      Someone needs to buy you a tractor so you can pull your head out of your ass.
  • dburanen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here's to hoping he gets it and to hoping I can buy some goods created with the fibers.
  • Trogdor420, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I just responded to this same article on Fark.com. It would seem that Diggers are better informed for the most part, who would have thought?

    I live in Manitoba, Canada. Over the past ten years there has been a huge resurgence in our hemp industry. The problem so far has been in getting the hemp to a processor. Parkland hemp (Google it if you are interested) is a local co-op that is working to establish a major fibre/oil processing facility in Dauphin, Manitoba. Take a drive north of Riding Mountain National Park and you will be witness to fields and fields of industrial grade hemp. Unfortunately, (for the illicit grower) the area is also home to many marijuana crops. Another Digger has already pointed out the problems with growing industrial grade and MJ in close proximity. Those that think industrial hemp crops can be used to hide illicit marijuana crops are MISINFORMED.

    /time for a phattie
  • jameslheard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8410436555236949417 great video about hemp
    Magic Weed - History of Marijuana - This film shows how hemp is used in all applications around the world before governements banned its public use.

  • VeganG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If hemp has no drug properties, as the article says, why was it illegal to grow it, and why does this guy have to jump through so many hoops to grow it now? Ridiculous.
    • JoeBlunt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6We still have idiots like Urusai saying industrial hemp is a stalking horse for everyone to get stoned legally.

      No wonder it's still illegal when there's such ignorance competing with the truth.

      FTA, Monson will have to pay the DEA $2293 non refundable fee just to be considered a legal industrial hemp farmer. Sounds like bribe money so all those govmint agents can have their ipods and night vision goggles.
  • acudoc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4How typical of the State: let's penalize an entrepreneur. We, the State's bureaucrats, do not produce anything---in fact our salary is coerced from the producers through taxation---but let's go ahead and burden the very people who are buttering our bread! The industrial hemp is unsuitable for getting high, but hey, let not our State officials be constrained by facts.

    The State has no right to decide what I, as a mature adult, ingest or inhale, nor does it have a right to place limitations on what I produce or consume, as long as I do not transgress the rights of others. To give it that power, in the spirit of trying to protect me, only enables the unbridled growth of the State.
  • DerekV, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1***** hemp, you cant get high off that *****. We need to try and approval from the DEA and Dept of Agriculture to grow some AK47!!
  • akira117, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You know what funny the constitution is made of hemp.....
  • lordmetroid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1***** no, he doesn't need to do anything. He is the king, he is the law. That is what the founding father fought for!

    America has become King George!
  • whickywhickyjim, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3first? Weren't rough drafts of the Declaration of Independance written on hemp? Weren't the sails and riggings of the USS Constituion made of hemp? First? I don't think so.
  • Tuscanspeed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The nation was practically founded on Hemp.

    Hemp was grown in Virginia in the 1600's.

    Dugg down for being inaccurate.
  • BlackCow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Last month, the state Agriculture Department finished its work on rules farmers may use to grow industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana that does not have the drug's hallucinogenic properties."

    Hemp dosn't get you high? Then why the hell are they putting all these restrictions on it!
  • ASSASSYN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I say let him grow it then before harvest light it on fire and run through the smoke. YAY!
  • funkspiel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Hemp can save the planet.
  • generalleoff, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't know why they care. Hemp that is bred to be grown for uses like this won't get you anything but a massive headache if smoked.
  • videoCT, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2during WWII hemp was a very important US crop, being used for sails, rope and other uses - so a product that helped win the war is illegal. Ok that's an oversimplification, but imagine if vast crops of hemp could provide food and clothing to millions of people. That would be terrible.
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