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Pros and Cons of Growing Hemp in Colorado

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Nov 8, 2012 at 7:40 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 8:08 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- On Election Day, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which legalizes the use of marijuana for adults 21 and over. It also includes a provision legalizing the growth of industrial hemp. While hemp can be used for multiple products, growing the crop is still a federal crime.

"It comes in all different colors of the rainbow," said Claire Codling, a Western Slope resident. Hemp is the foundation of her business.

"I specialize in craft supplies, twine and cord. I have customers around the world that are making hemp jewelry."

Beyond what she utilizes it for, hemp can be used in a variety of ways.

"Oh, you can make anything with it. We can make construction materials, paper. It's biodegradable, it's eco-friendly," Codling said.

Bruce Talbott, the farm manager of Talbott Farms, said, "It's a great crop from the standpoint of biomass. Whether it's used for paper, whether it's used for rope, whether it's used for textiles."

While Amendment 64 includes legalizing the growth of hemp, local farmers may still stay away from the crop.

"I think most commercial growers are going to be reluctant to go there, just because we interface so much with federal regulations and federal control. Without a federal mandate or legalization, I think that would be a high risk," Talbott said.

Codling said she wishes legalizing the use marijuana was a completely separate issue from legalizing hemp.

"I cannot smoke my product. To me it is two completely separate issues; one is fiber for making things," she said.

She hopes one day she will be able to get her product locally.

"I think if we could grow it in Colorado it would produce jobs; small businesses could start. I'd love to buy a product that I import from China right here on my home turf."

Until then, she must rely on other countries' products.

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Lenny Frieling said on Friday, Nov 9 at 2:02 AM

Interesting point, but even if we had commercial hemp fiber separate from psychoactive cannabis, even the isolated commercial hemp for fiber would violate federal law. The hysteria was such in the '30s that they got ROPE banned. Basically. Colorado just said "you can grow rope again." I know I over simplify. Hemp truly is a wonder fiber, and its benefits need to be realized and shared, and fairly profited from. For mainly historical reasons, I don't think it can be split into two attacks, even though it is two different issues relating to two different cannabis plants.

Western Slope said on Friday, Nov 9 at 8:10 AM

The Feds will cave on both Hemp and pot, it's the will of the people and the DEA can know longer ignore the science of medical marijuana! Look for a ruling on the schedule 1 hearing that was held a few weeks ago. My prediction is that marijuana (Pot) will be rescheduled to a schedule 3-4 drug like alcohol and hemp will be excluded from the schedule all together opening up U.S. production of Industrial agricultural hemp. This will happen quite fast now.

Durango said on Friday, Nov 9 at 8:26 AM

Our gov't is acting out of ignorance to not separate the 2 plants. HEMP isn't a drug, these guys can't run a business let alone be able to distinguish 2 plant differences. No wonder this country is in Trillions of debt. Hell, lets plant HEMP and sell all the products for our gov't getting jobs for millions and reduce the imports and make America United again and reduce the deficit....It's a no brainer, but when the US Gov't has no brains, it's a problem.

Trick James said on Friday, Nov 9 at 9:40 AM

Key Phrase: "I'd love to buy a product that I import from China right here on my home turf." This is exactly what this country needs.

young hippie said on Friday, Nov 9 at 9:53 AM

Let us not forget, or allow us to educate. Hemp can COMPLETELY REPLACE PETROLEUM. Fuel, plastic, textiles, medicines, etc. as well as most nonrenewable resources. EVERYTHING we use in our daily lives can also be made from hemp. Next time you read a newspaper, use a plastic fork, or fuel up your vehicle, remember, this could come from hemp.

Time For An Education said on Friday, Nov 9 at 10:17 AM

A Popular Mechanics article from 1938 stated that over 25,000 different products could be made from hemp in oil, seed or fiber form. One acre of hemp (grown in a single season)yields as much paper as up to 4 acres of trees(which take many more years to grow). Hemp paper can be recycled 10 times whereas wood-based paper can only be recycled twice without losing integrity and requiring additional virgin fiber content. The core of the hemp stalk is used to produce fiberboard, insulation, carpet, fiberglass substitute, cement blocks, concrete, stucco and mortar. Hemp oil, extracted from hemp seeds, is used in the production of plastics, oil paints, varnishes, inks, solvents, lubricants, putty and coatings. Of the 3 million plus edible plants that grow on Earth, no other plant source can compare with the nutritional value of hempseeds. It is used in salad dressings, protein bars, breads, cakes, soups, beer, butters, shakes, milk, breakfast cereals and many more food products and recipes.

Juanita R. Williams said on Friday, Nov 9 at 10:27 AM

Hemp is a "super-plant". It is the answer to the deforestation of our planet-it makes paper, paneling, clothes-especially for those allergic to the sun, shoes, purses, ropes, sails, tents, edible for humans and livestock, great biofuel. Betsy Ross made our 1st American flag from hemp. The 2nd WW saw our government PAY farmers to grow it as it was needed for the war effort. Hemp does not take a lot of water, either, No fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides needed! Awesome plant. We need to lobby the federal government about hemp. The USA imports nearly 400 million (or billion-I forget which) $ worth every year. Other states DO grow it and manufacture products from it. BUT because Amendment 64 lumped it with pot-it made the whole thing a mess for CO. Just think of the jobs this would create locally! The Feds are foolish to have this outlawed. We are stupid to allow the Feds so much say over the states. Repeal amendments 16 & 17.

Barbara Filippone EnviroTextiles said on Friday, Nov 9 at 12:57 PM

Please see resent press release , my company is the main US supplier for hemp products, I also have developed the majority of hemp textiles seen in US to date.

James said on Monday, Nov 12 at 10:20 AM

Check out our website and learn everything about Hemp! Hemp has over 50,000 uses and counting! The Truth Shall Set you Free! Hemp Solutions USA dot com

Claire Codling said on Thursday, Nov 15 at 6:35 PM

"Codlings" company is Hemp Beadery! If you need hemp twine and beads, t shirts and hemp products check it out hempbeadery dot com - hopefully one day all of my products will be made in Colorado!

HempEverything said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 1:22 PM

I've been researching this "plant of the gods'" for years now, it truly is the only thing that can save the planet. Isn't that important enough? Hemp oil cures cancer also! I'm moving to Colorado from UT and you will see me after several harvests with all things made of Hemp! I would love to see a crop circle in a giant Colorado Hemp field one day!

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