The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), had this to say after the House vote:

"I am glad that Oregon has joined the list of states that have agreed that American farmers should have the right to re-introduce industrial hemp as an agricultural crop. By passing SB 676 with strong bi-partisan support, the Oregon Legislature has taken a proactive position to allow its farmers the right to grow industrial hemp, to provide American manufacturers with domestically-grown hemp, and to profit from that effort."

American manufacturers are indeed profiting from hemp. Oregon's own Living Harvest (hemp milk, ice cream, and oil) this month was named the third fastest growing Oregon company by the Portland Business Journal (article subscription only). Living Harvest's CEO, Hans Fastre, on the Oregon bill's passage:

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to invest in hemp processing and production locally. This bill represents another step towards heightening the hemp industry's profile within mainstream America and making hemp products more accessible to businesses and consumers."

The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimates current North American annual retail sales of hemp food and body care products to be $113 million - 2008 annual retail sales of all hemp products in North America are estimated to be about $360 million.

When, not if, farming industrial hemp is re-recognized by the federal government as legitimate, these numbers will soar - to the direct financial benefit of US farmers, companies, and workers. The Obama administration ought to take notice. With a nimble shift in policy on something as innocuous as hemp, Obama can help pave the way for an important component to the nation's green economic and agricultural recovery.

Updatex2

Thanks to all - first time on rec list - feels good! And, thanks for amplifying the word on industrial hemp, helping to carry the momentum forward.

For past pieces with background on industrial hemp, go here and here.

To sum up the legal status quo in the US, Oregon's hemp bill builds upon the pressure states are applying to the federal government - via passing legislation - to shift its current policy banning viable industrial hemp seeds since 1970. Under the Controlled Substances Act the seeds are included in the definition of "marihuana" - a Schedule 1 controlled substance. All it would take is the Obama administration re-interpreting "marihuana" to not include industrial hemp and leave it to states to regulate this important crop. States demanding this change, and all other efforts, can only help thereby hastening a shift in the current, very absurd US industrial hemp paradigm.

Please consider supporting HIA and Vote Hemp's efforts.