DEA Being Asked to Remove Hemp from List of Controlled Substances

United States DEA is being asked by a Portland attorney and a Southern Oregon environmentalist to take industrial hemp off the federal government’s list of regulated substances. On June 13, a petition being filed was the most recent move by people who believe that industrial hemp could be an important agricultural crop if the federal government removes it from the illegal drug list. Activist believes that long contended hemp can be used to make food, medicine, clothing, lotions, construction material, oils and other products beneficial to society.

Oregon and other states have enabled for licensed hemp cultivation but keep it strictly regulated. The newly created petition highlights that thirty other countries would allow hemp cultivation, even Canada. The petition states that local markets, the environment and national security “would greatly benefit from the re-commercialization of industrial hemp in domestic agriculture and manufacturing.”

To add on to why the petition should be signed, many advocates are making the argument that industrial hemp is a variety of cannabis, but lacks the THC level that enables smokers to get high. The petition calls for Domestic Enforcement of Federal Drug Laws to state that cannabis plant is industrial hemp, not marijuana if its THC level does not surpass 1%. THC is the substance that gives its users the “high”. Hence, industrial hemp is low in THC but contains high levels of Cannabidiol, which many advocates believe can be used to treat seizures. An example can be seen in West Virginia, in which the 1 percent THC rule is in effect. While other states, such as Oregon, say the THC in hemp cannot exceed 0.3 percent.

 The petitioners believe that keeping the THC limit so low restricts the number of cannabis varieties that can be produced and cultivated for specific traits that may be desirable in other products. In avoiding controversy, the letter to the DEA says the petitioner’s take no position on the legalization or decriminalization of medical or recreational marijuana, or on whether CBD has medical uses. The petition from Oregon residents is the second brought upon the DEA in June. Prior to this, the Kentucky Hemp Industries Council filed a petition to remove hemp plants from the Controlled Substances Act.