America is the largest importer and consumer of hemp in the world. While Washington state House Bill 1552 barely makes hemp legal to cultivate and process, it is also an affront to liberty. It places industrial hemp under the dysfunctional liquor control board and gives regulatory agencies the power to violate business owners’ Fourth Amendment rights by allowing “probable cause” searches.

Growers will have breed restrictions, hemp THC level testing, restrictions on selling live seeds, and yet unknown burdensome requirements. The hemp industry will not flood the market with 0.6 percent THC recreational hemp when 22 percent medicinal cannabis is readily available. What is the danger in selling hemp seeds? Marijuana seeds can be shipped to your doorstep.

This bill is senseless. Its authors are asking residents to trade freedom for a market opportunity with unknown levels of tax and regulation. That trade is never worth it. I won’t support the continued bipartisan encroachment on personal and economic freedom while growing the size and scope of government.

I have a suggestion for these legislators who genuinely care about Washington farmers and economic opportunity. If you must, regulate hemp like apples. The apple industry does OK, despite the dangers of apple seeds.

Zack Banks

Vancouver