Hemp Case Study

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Hemp was viewed as a threat to several competing industries which caused them to create a smear campaign against hemp. By associating hemp with marijuana and by creating the propaganda film “Reefer Madness” this caused hysteria amongst the population (History of Hemp, n.d.). Hemp prohibition started in the 1930s. Hemp was grouped under the umbrella of marijuana and effectively made illegal under the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act. Furthermore, In 1970 Industrial hemp was classified as marijuana under the Controlled Substance Act in spite of decades of government-funded research that identified industrial hemp to have a unique structure and function (Hemp’s History, n.d.). In spite of Hemp being illegal in America, Hemp is legally grown in about 30 countries around the world, with China and France as the leading producers of hemp. Canada our neighbor to the north legalized Hemp cultivation in 1998. Farmers, there must have a licensed and also grow approved low-THC seeds. Hemp grown in Canada has to be tested to ensure they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This essay will …show more content…

Hemp has few branches or leaves below the tops. It is also grown outdoors. Whereas, Marijuana is a shorter, fatter bush with a lot more branches. And to maximize THC levels in marijuana growers must maintain stable light, temperature, humidity, CO2 and oxygen levels (5 Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana, 2014). Johnny Green Author of “Arguments Against Hemp and Why They are Wrong” further explains that many marijuana growers are afraid of cross-pollination between hemp and marijuana which would significantly reduce the potency of the marijuana plant. Russia conducted a study where they found hemp pollen can travel 12 kilometers (7 miles). So any marijuana grown within this area will lower the quality of the plant. Therefore, no sensible grower would ever think of growing their crop so close to hemp. (Green,

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