Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 1866, the “Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009.” It is a privilege to serve as your Representative in Congress. I welcome your thoughts on this important issue.

As you may know, H.R. 1866, introduced by Congressman Ron Paul from Texas on April 2, 2009, would grant states the authority to license and regulate the commercial production of hemp as an industrial and agriculture commodity, allowing hemp and hemp-containing products to be manufactured right here in the U.S. This bill legalizes industrial hemp by excluding hemp grown for industrial purposes from the definition of “marijuana” in the Controlled Substances Act. H.R. 1866 was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary where it awaits further consideration.

Cannabis sativa in this case referred to as “hemp,” is characterized by low levels of the primary psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC in their leaves and flowers, the same chemical that makes other similar strains of Cannabis illegal. Hemp is used in more than 30 countries as a source of fiber and oil seed for manufacturing of products for consumer and industrial use. Despite the original Marijuana laws enacted in 1937, hemp at one point was legal because it was thought to be harmless; however, the Controlled Substances Act in 1997, after discovering narcotic properties similar to marijuana in the substance, made cultivating hemp for industrial purposes illegal in the U.S. All hemp or hemp-containing products must now be imported or manufactured from imported hemp. However, despite physical differences that may exist between industrial hemp and traditional Cannabis, legalization of industrial hemp would weaken efforts to curtail marijuana abuse.

While I respect your support for the industrial benefits of hemp and generally agree that it is important to cultivate our natural resources rather than relying on imported goods and services, I am opposed to efforts to legalize the substance. I believe that raising hemp for fiber or oilseed would increase the likelihood of covert production of marijuana plants with a higher concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol in fields of industrial hemp, hindering the Drug Enforcement Agency’s surveillance and enforcement activities, and sending the wrong message to the American public concerning the government’s position on drugs.

Marijuana impairs judgment and has proven links to fatal accidents and harmful injuries. Marijuana is addictive, adversely affects the immune system, and it leads to the use of other drugs, such as cocaine. Marijuana also causes other side effects such as cancer, respiratory diseases, and mental disorders. Babies born to women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy have an increased incidence of leukemia, low birth weight and other abnormalities. We must continue to safeguard our children and all Americans from harmful drugs and the criminal activities that surround their production.

Thank you again for contacting me. I look forward to serving you in the 111th Congress and hearing from you again soon. If my staff or I can do anything to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can also visit my website at www.fleming.house.gov for further information.

Sincerely,

John Fleming, M.D.
Member of Congress