For Immediate Release
Monday, April 25, 2005

CONTACT: Adam Eidinger 202-232-8997, 202-744-2671

California Considers Industrial Hemp Bill
Thousands of State Businesses, Organizations, Individuals
Backing New Legislation

SACRAMENTO, CA — Thousands of local businesses, organizations, individuals and farmers are backing new industrial hemp legislation (AB 1147) that would give California farmers the right to grow low-THC varieties of hemp. On Wednesday, April 27 at 1:30pm in Room 444, supporters of AB 1147 will testify at a California Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing.

WHO: CA Assembly Agriculture Committee. The following individuals will speak in favor of AB 1147:

• David Bronner, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, based in Escondido, San Diego County
• Candi Penn, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association, based in Sonoma County
• Vanessa Bogenholm, VB Farms, Chair of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
• Dr. Gero Leson, Principal, Leson & Associates, Berkeley, CA
• Michael Greene, Principal, CDS Consulting, Sacramento, CA

WHAT: Hearing on hemp farming bill, AB 1147, introduced by Assemblyman Mark Leno

WHERE: California State Capitol, Room 444

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27 at 1:30pm

“California farmers are always looking for new crops. AB 1147 will enable them to meet the rising intrastate market for hemp created by the growing number of California businesses that make and sell hemp-based foods, fibers and cosmetic products,” Vote Hemp’s Sacramento lobbyist Michael Greene says. “AB 1147 will enable California businesses to buy hemp grown by California farmers rather than importing hemp from Canada, Europe, China and the many other hemp-producing countries.”

Supporters of AB 1147 include: 1,300 members of the California Certified Organic Farmers; 199,546 members of the Sierra Club of California; City and County of San Francisco; Vote Hemp; 200 member companies of the Hemp Industries Association; North American Industrial Hemp Council; 50,000 California members of the Organic Consumers Association; Organic Ad Advisors; Nutiva; Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Knoll Farms; Rainforest Action Network; Environmental Wholesale Products; Sweetgrass Natural Fibers; Hempy’s; Hemp Traders; Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company; Burcaw Chiropractic; Robinson’s Health Products; Luvland Farms Lavender; Alice’s Mountain Market; CDM Corp; Heavenly Low Carb; PAD; J. Ginsberg & Associates; LivingFoods.com; Eagle Trust Union; Center for Healing; New Hope Natural Media; Salon Charisma; Whole Balance; Raw 4 Real; Hemp Sisters; Malu Healthcare; The Living Temple; StrictlyHemp.com; Eco Goods; French Meadow Bakery; and EnviroGentle.

Visit www.VoteHemp.com to learn more about state legislation. For more information or to arrange interviews with representatives of the hemp industry, please call Adam Eidinger at 202-232-8997.

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