Hemp is the nonhallucinogenic sibling to marijuana and has become increasingly popular with farmers who hope that Congress will declassify it as an illegal substance, making it easier for them to grow and sell their crops while giving the already flourishing industry an extra boost. Unfortunately, however, this move has caused consternation within the DEA – who disagree with it being removed from its list.
The Drug Enforcement Agency has conducted raids at at least seven hemp farms, most of them without cause. The DEA claims that hemp remains a Schedule I drug and therefore illegal to cultivate on land that receives federal commodity subsidies; any conviction would mean forfeiture of federal subsidies for five years.
Desperate to maintain their innocence from prosecution by the DEA, the farmers targeted by it have made clear their opposition. “Our farmers have been following all applicable laws,” asserts Michael Bowman from Colorado who farms corn and wheat. Bowman has taken to making rounds around Capitol Hill trying to convince lawmakers that hemp should not be lumped together with marijuana as “an evil weed”.
McConnell may not provide much help in this arena. Since his days as a state senator, he has opposed legalization of marijuana use, and remains the chief impediment to Democratic-passed legislation on this subject. Furthermore, he relies heavily on donations from GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson – an opponent of reform efforts – who frequently contributes donations that fuel his fight for legalization of pot.
As McConnell continues his fight against legalization, hemp advocates are taking matters into their own hands. Some are taking legal action against state legalization laws claiming they discriminate against their businesses; others are working together with local law enforcement agencies to promote hemp as an alternative high, which they claim can produce similar effects as marijuana.
Judith Cassel of Harrisburg is an advocate for medical marijuana and hemp. Through Cannabis Law PA, her firm offers legal guidance to cannabis growers, processors, dispensaries, investors and patients across Pennsylvania as well as nationwide. With years of experience working in heavily regulated industries like electricity, natural gas and petroleum production – such as electricity distribution networks or oil pipelines – Cassel has applied these skills to cannabis/hemp industries with success.
She was honored with this prestigious recognition by the 2023 Pennsylvania Bar Association as their medical marijuana and hemp attorney of the year. Additionally, she founded and serves on the Hemp Industry Council representing industry stakeholders and consumers in state legal proceedings related to hemp.
Cassel suggests police departments establish relationships with laboratories that specialize in THC testing as this could save lives. Cassel emphasizes the need to know exactly what’s in these products as it’s a safety issue – something the hemp industry aspires to expand into other nations around the globe.