In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about how states are effectively nullifying federal prohibition of industrial hemp by simply ignoring federal law, and legalizing cultivation and processing of the plant anyway. Federal prohibition of the cultivation of industrial hemp is as ridiculous as it is unconstitutional. While the federal government bans…
AUGUST, Maine (Aug. 22, 2016) – A Maine grower has planted the state’s first hemp crop, ignoring federal prohibition and taking another step toward effectively nullifying the fed’s ban. According to the Portland Press Herald, Steven Zeno planted an acre of hemp in Monmouth last month. He obtained the seed from a food bank in…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Aug. 1, 2016) – Two provisions in a bill recently signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will help facilitate healthcare freedom and takes another small step toward setting the stage to nullify Obamacare and federal hemp prohibition in practice. Rep. Keith Frederick filed House Bill 1682 (HB1682) last December. The legislation amends…
PROVIDENCE R.I. (July 18, 2016) – Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed a bill legalizing the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. A coalition of five Democrats introduced House Bill 8232 (H8232) on May 19. As introduced, the legislation would…
PROVIDENCE R.I. (June 20, 2016) – The Rhode Island legislature has passed a bill to legalize the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. A coalition of five Democrats introduced House Bill 8232 (H8232) on May 19. As introduced, the legislation would…
Recently, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) provided a textbook example of why states and the people should nullify unconstitutional federal laws rather than seek permission before exercising their rights. Even though the Nebraska legislature voted to approve hemp planting for university research two years ago, it insisted on requiring researchers to get federal permission. Ironically,…
The industrial hemp industry in Colorado is expanding in spite of federal prohibition after the people of the state voted to legalize hemp farming. It demonstrates how the people themselves can nullify unconstitutional federal laws by taking direct action at the ballot box and through market activity. According to Pueblo Chieftain, the amount of acreage…
Despite unconstitutional federal restrictions on industrial hemp farming, the industry last year netted half a billion dollars in sales in the United States. The Weed Blog reports: The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a non-profit trade association consisting of hundreds of hemp businesses, has released final estimates of the size of the 2015 U.S. retail market…
MONTPELIER, Vt. – (May 23, 2016) – Federal law prohibits hemp production without permission from the feds. Growers in Vermont are doing it anyway – in increasingly large numbers. Vermont provides a textbook example of how removing layers of law at the state level can effectively nullify federal prohibition of hemp. In 2013, the Vermont…
If George Washington were alive today, the federal government would consider him a criminal. Why? Because he cultivated industrial hemp for commercial purposes, something that’s currently banned by an unconstitutional federal law. Most Americans probably know George Washington farmed tobacco at Mount Vernon. However, they may not be aware he also grew industrial hemp. According to…