Action Stalled on 2007 Industrial Hemp Legislation 

The current federal legislation being considered is H.R.1009, “To amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.” 

H.R. 1009 was introduced by Rep Paul, Ron [R-TX-14] on Feb. 13, 2007). The Latest Major Action was on April 20, 2007  when the bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.01009: 

For the latest status of the federal Industrial Hemp legislation, Click Here.  To check the progress of all federal and state legislation on industrial hemp, Click Here. 

H.R. 1009’s 11 current co-sponsors are:

Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2]
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4]
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22]
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10]
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7]
Rep Miller, George [CA-7]
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46]
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9]
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] -
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6]

2005 Industrial Hemp Farming Act Introduced into Congress

For the history of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005 (IHFA), Click Here.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)  introduced the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005"   (IHFA). The 3-page bill proposed amending the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to define “marihuana” as not including industrial hemp. In the bill, “industrial hemp” means:


IHFA proposed to further amend the CSA to let states determine whether a C. sativa plant meets the concentration limit.

Joining Rep. Paul in co-sponsoring the legislation were Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Fortney [“Pete”] Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ).

Anyone who supports the legislation and recommends its enactment has the following options :

1.  Contact a Member of Congress to urge her or him to co-sponsor the legislation.
If you do not know who your Member of Congress is, go to the U.S. House of Representatives web site and type in your zip code at the top left of the page. Your message whether by phone, email (through their web site) or in person should be brief and to the point and could include points such as:

• They should co-sponsor H.R. 1009, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act.
• Allowing industrial hemp cultivation in the United States is good for agriculture, industry and commerce.
• Over 30 industrial democracies allow, if not promote, the cultivation of industrial hemp.
• Six states (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research. All would, if Congress would act.
• Industrial hemp is as close to marijuana as poppy seeds are to opium.

2.  Contact a United States Senator and urge him or her to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.
 If you do not know your United States Senators or how to contact them, you may find out by going to the U.S. Senate web site and choosing your state. Your message whether by phone, email (through the Senate web site) or in person could mirror the points above.
 For more information on the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, Click Here.

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