Ripe Hemp Seed. Photo by: Luke Zigovits.

Congress Won't Talk About Hemp
An editorial in The Minot Daily News presents a frustrating dose of reality.

North Dakota's Licensed Hemp Farmers Appeal Federal Court Decision
The agricultural context is everything in this story from the Wisconsin Ag Connection.

North Dakota Farmers to Appeal Hemp Rights at Federal Court
A good story by Clarisse Douaud in the industry trade magazine NutraIngredients-USA. One error to correct, though. The author writes that "hemp foods became legal in the U.S. in 2001." In fact, hemp foods were never illegal in the U.S., although the DEA did try, unsuccessfully, to ban them. For more information on that, please see our Hemp Food Fight page and the National Agricultural Law Center hemp page.

The Hempest: Stylish Coats in Unusual Fabrics
An interesting blurb on winter coat buying.

By Mary Clare Jalonick, AP
The Bismarck Tribune
December 31, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC — The three members of North Dakota's congressional delegation see little hope in Congress for state farmers who want to grow industrial hemp.

Members of the state's all-Democratic delegation — Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy — say they have no plans to introduce or push legislation that would make it easier for farmers around the country to grow the crop.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland last month dismissed a lawsuit filed against the U.S government by two North Dakota farmers, saying federal law considers industrial hemp to be the same as marijuana, which is an illegal drug. In his ruling, Hovland suggested asking Congress to change the definition of industrial hemp to explicitly distinguish it from marijuana.

That idea has no traction in Congress, the state's delegation says.

Adam Eidinger, Vote Hemp Communications Director

By Staff
Farm & Ranch Guide
December 20, 2007

North Dakota producers, Wayne Hauge of Ray and state Rep. Dave Monson of Osnabrock, are renewing their North Dakota license applications to grow and process industrial hemp in the state in 2008.

In a separate action on Dec. 12, attorneys filed an appeal of the farmers' lawsuit against the DEA on their behalf in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Their lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge on Nov. 28.

Hauge said he has already sent in his application to grow hemp in North Dakota.

Alex White Plume on his back steps
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Manderson, SD
Photo credit: AP/Chet Brokaw.

On the morning of December 20, Alex White Plume, who serves on the HIA Board of Directors, and his family lost their home in Manderson, South Dakota to a devastating electrical fire. Alex was away on business, and his wife Debra, still in her housecoat when discovering the blaze, only had time to hastily grab her grandson, pipe, purse and cellphone and get out the door. Everything burned, including years of important papers, tribal artwork and their computer — a total loss. "It all happened in a half hour," Debra said.

Alex has written a few emails to his friends and supporters since the fire, and here is a short paraphrase of them:

Thank you for your prayers and support; we want to remain on the land. The house burned to the ground and we lost everything we owned, so we are starting now to work to clear the rubble and prepare to rebuild. We are still in shock and thinking is painful. I have been clearing out all the black burned rubble in hopes of finding something of value. My wife's jewelry is melted and I could not find anything.

I hope in the month of January we will be set up somewhere near the place. I want to start building in the spring, and this gives me a few months to plan for it. Lumber and building materials will be helpful. I looked at a camper that I may set up for the short haul. We appreciate the generosity of everyone, and every penny will be appreciated. I will accept any used or new hemp clothing. We are going to rebuild and need financial support. I need cash to rebuild, and I will have to sell my buffalo to start.

To read more about this story, click here.

The Hemp Report has set up a PayPal account to accept contributions. For transparency, all funds will go through Vote Hemp's bank account and then be sent directly to Alex and his family. To make a donation and help the White Plumes rebuild, please click the link below.