AJR49: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2556/2

RCT:jlg:jf

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 49

April 27, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Hahn, Boyle, Ott, Skindrud, Spillner, Gronemus, Freese, Black, Pocan, Olsen, Musser, Miller, Berceau, Ainsworth, Owens, Young, Sherman and Turner, cosponsored by Senators Schultz, Rude and Clausing. Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

AJR49,1,2 Relating to: requesting Congress to clearly authorize the production of industrial hemp.

AJR49,1,4 Whereas, agriculture is the largest source of income for Wisconsin, generating over $40 billion annually; and

AJR49,1,6 Whereas, a devastating drop in prices for agricultural products is threatening the survival Wisconsin's family farms and Wisconsin's number one industry; and

AJR49,1,8 Whereas, diversifying agriculture is a necessary goal for strengthening Wisconsin's economy; and

AJR49,1,11 Whereas, in over 30 countries, including Canada, England, Germany and Japan, existing international treaties provide for the agricultural production and sale of industrial hemp as a valuable agricultural product; and

AJR49,1,15 Whereas, industrial hemp refers to the more than 2 dozen strains of the cannabis plant that contain 1% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and therefore should not be confused with varieties of cannabis that have a high content of THC; and

AJR49,2,3 Whereas, industrial hemp is a renewable resource that can grow to maturity in 100 days without the necessity of pesticides and can be grown as a rotation crop to control weeds, therefore improving the soil for the next crop; and

AJR49,2,9 Whereas, the reintroduction of industrial hemp as a potential agronomic crop will have long-term economic benefits to the farmers who produce the hemp and the persons who utilize hemp for the manufacture of more than 25,000 products, including building materials, carpeting, pulp, paper products, oil, paints, cosmetics, plastics, automobile parts, fuel, animal feed, food, canvas, twine, clothing and rope; and

AJR49,2,12 Whereas, during World War II, the U.S. department of agriculture carried out a nationwide "Hemp for Victory" campaign, distributing 400,000 pounds of hemp seeds to farmers to encourage the production of industrial hemp; and

AJR49,2,14 Whereas, during this time, Wisconsin farmers produced more than 30,000 acres of industrial hemp and created processing plants in 10 different communities; and

AJR49,2,17 Whereas, current federal policy policy prevents the American agricultural production of industrial hemp while foreign hemp is being imported, at a loss of millions of dollars to American farmers; and

AJR49,2,20 Whereas, this current federal policy is inconsistent with international agricultural policy and places an unnecessary financial restriction on Wisconsin's agricultural community; and

AJR49,2,23 Whereas, Congress never intended to prohibit the production of industrial hemp when restricting the production, possession and use of marijuana; now, therefore, be it

AJR49,3,5 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States to acknowledge the difference between the marijuana plant and the agricultural crop known as industrial hemp; to acknowledge that allowing farmers to produce industrial hemp will improve the balance of trade by promoting domestic sources of industrial hemp; and to assist United States producers by clearly authorizing the commercial production of industrial hemp; and, be it further

AJR49,3,10 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to the U.S. secretary of agriculture, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the chairperson of the U.S. senate and house of representatives agriculture committees and each member of the Wisconsin congressional delegation.

AJR49,3,11 (End)