ALBANY – On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2014, New York became the 19th state in the U.S. to make the move toward growing industrial hemp.
The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D – Endwell) and Senator Tom O'Mara (R – Big Flats) and develops an agricultural pilot program to begin research on the multipurpose crop. It passed through both houses of the State Legislature last spring.
Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 7, 2014 and legalizes the growth of hemp for research. The research will be limited, for now, to colleges and universities and state departments of agriculture in states where it has been approved by law.
Many of New York's institutions of higher education have shown interest in taking part in the state's research program. Included in this list are Cornell, Binghamton University, SUNY – ESF in Syracuse, CUNY, and Paul Smith's College.
Hemp cultivation was previously banned under the Controlled Substances Act because it comes from the same plant as marijuana. Industrial hemp, however, should not be confused with marijuana. Industrial hemp and marijuana are genetically differing varieties of cannabis in much the same way that different breeds of canine are vastly dissimilar. It is impossible to extract a psychoactive drug from industrial hemp.
In 2012, retail sales from imported hemp products were approximately $500 million in the United States. Globally, hemp is used to produce a wide variety of products including oil, soap, paper, and rope. And due to its numerous health benefits to both humans and animals, it is also used in the production of foods such as beer, milk, cereal, and granola.
The controversy surrounding hemp in the United States muddles much of its historical impact and its potential for the future.
Historically, hemp has played a huge role in American agriculture. Some of the first laws surrounding this crop made it illegal not to be grown. Also indicative of our long dependence on this crop are the hemp canvas-covered wagons that the pioneers used in their westward travels, the rugged hemp Levi's pants made popular during the gold rush, and the government “Hemp for Victory” campaign during WWII.
Despite large hemp production during WWII, hemp cultivation in the U.S. Was discontinued in the mid-1900s. This was due mainly to the confusion, and misinformation, that likened industrial hemp to marijuana. Although the two plants are straightforwardly different, confusion between the two persists today. Environmental and economic interests are finally beginning to dispel the uncertainty.
Although hemp itself may not be a cure-all for the social, economic, and environmental tribulations facing our planet – as no single crop can be – furthering research and development of the crop in both the private and public sectors can spur monumental changes. One such change is steering our major industry away from non-renewable, and quickly disappearing, resources toward a more sustainable future.
“This is an exciting first step for this crop,” said Assemblywoman Lupardo in response to this bill being signed in New York, “both the stalk and the seed from hemp can be used to produce everything from textiles and building materials; to paper, food, and environmental products like biofuels. This research will help guide our farmers and producers when the federal government allows full-scale production.”
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch (R – Bainbridge) was also a co-sponsor on the hemp legislation bill. In an email interview, Crouch said, “I think it is high time to allow trials and testing for growing hemp in New York. This is consistent with the change in federal policy allowing experimental plots. The growing of hemp may eventually provide another cash crop for Chenango County.”