The Hemp Report

     Happy New Year! Welcome to the latest issue of The Hemp News Update, formerly called the Weekly News Update. The newsletter is now a joint venture between Vote Hemp and the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and incorporates the HIA's "Hemp Friends" email list, now that the HIA Newsletter is for HIA Members only. It will include new HIA-related features, as well as the best hemp news to be found, and will be sent roughly every other Tuesday.

    
"Standing Silent Nation" filmmaker Suree Towfighnia with Alex White Plume.

     Now that the holidays are over, reality is creeping back in a rather harsh manner. HIA Board Member Alex White Plume and his family lost their home to a fire late last month in South Dakota. Please see the HIA Featured Member story at the end of this newsletter for details and to find out how you can help them in this time of need. If you want additional information, please feel free to email me.

     Events in North Dakota are progressing in a number of directions. North Dakota State University (NDSU) is weighing its options to be able to conduct hemp research this year. Prospective hemp farmers, state Rep. Dave Monson and Wayne Hauge, have applied for state hemp farming licenses again this year and have also filed an appeal of the recent dismissal of their lawsuit against the DEA. Please read the story "ND Delegation Won't Take Up Hemp Issue" for some key quotes from Rep. Monson and Congressman Earl Pomeroy. It looks like we really have our work cut out for us in the upcoming year.

[More...]