Here is what one email looked like. I generally send about a dozen a day, customized to varying extents.
I would like to talk with you a bit about industrial hemp, a highly sustainable and profitable commercial crop for farmers.
Missouri is a state that has introduced hemp legislation five times, all before 2000. Since then, Missouri has not introduced legislation for fear that it will be shot down due to the conflict with federal law.
In 2002, Rep. Lacy co-signed a Dear Colleague letter (also attached), which helped us win the lawsuit of HIA (Hemp Industries Association) v DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) in 2004. Since then, many states have introduced and passed pro-hemp legislation.
Generally, I would like to reinstate rep. Lacy's support for industrial hemp. Specifically, we are currently looking for additional support for HR 1009, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007. The bill puts commercial hemp farming in the jurisdiction of state law; for example, 15 states have already passed laws that allow them to grow hemp. If the bill were to be passed, then states that have been ambivalent to pass a law because of federal conflict, would most like pass laws with overwhelming support, such as that found in Vermont (126-9 vote) or New Mexico (59-2 vote).
An April 2003 Zogby poll that showed that 79% of American voters support allowing US farmers to grow hemp to supply US companies.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer is an industrial hemp supporter who, as governor, signed North Dakota's hemp laws.
Sen. Obama voted for industrial hemp legislation while a state senator.
Rich Products Corporation, Cargill's biggest customer, sells hemp foods.
Former CIA Director Jim Woolsey supports legalizing industrial hemp.
It would be great if we could find a time to meet this week. If not,
I appreciate your time and consideration. Feel free to contact me via email or phone at 202-232-8997.
Thank You,
-Ben
Ben Droz
Votehemp.org
202-232-8997
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Progress
Progress
I wanted to check in. This is my last week. I'm sad this is coming to a close.
My last meeting(s) are being scheduled for this Thursday.
Last week, I had a total of 5 meetings, which all were pretty simple and straightforward.
The staffer does know much about hemp. We tell them the benefits of industrial hemp over other commercial crops, and try to break any connotation with marijuana besides the supportive farmers that also happen to be anti-drug, in states like Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, Kentucky, etc. Wondering why we're the only "rich" country to continue a blind cannabis ban, they all wait for the catch.
The catch, of course, is that we asked them to cosign a bill sponsored by Ron Paul. Other supporters are Dennis Kucinich, Sam Farr (whose office I met with),
and other representatives that are cool, man. In other words, these people are not cool in politics. Essentially they would tell us the same thing. "We can't sign Ron Paul's Bill. It seems like it makes sense and I would do it if I wasn't climbing out on such a limb. Maybe if it was sponsored by someone else..." It's just politics; I doubt we acquired any cosigners.
I wanted to check in. This is my last week. I'm sad this is coming to a close.
My last meeting(s) are being scheduled for this Thursday.
Last week, I had a total of 5 meetings, which all were pretty simple and straightforward.
The staffer does know much about hemp. We tell them the benefits of industrial hemp over other commercial crops, and try to break any connotation with marijuana besides the supportive farmers that also happen to be anti-drug, in states like Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, Kentucky, etc. Wondering why we're the only "rich" country to continue a blind cannabis ban, they all wait for the catch.
The catch, of course, is that we asked them to cosign a bill sponsored by Ron Paul. Other supporters are Dennis Kucinich, Sam Farr (whose office I met with),
and other representatives that are cool, man. In other words, these people are not cool in politics. Essentially they would tell us the same thing. "We can't sign Ron Paul's Bill. It seems like it makes sense and I would do it if I wasn't climbing out on such a limb. Maybe if it was sponsored by someone else..." It's just politics; I doubt we acquired any cosigners.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Vermont Passes Hemp Law... Finally
It was just over a month ago that we announced Vermont Bill becomes law. This was later called 'premature' when the Anti-hemp lobby tried to take it off the books. But, with over 94% of State Congressional support, the secretary of state and attorney general couldn't deny that the law had support and made sense.
Now it's official!(new press release). Vermont is now neck and neck with North Dakota in the race of the century! Will California be able to keep up?
Do you want to be in the race? You can use Vote Hemp's easily accessible Congressional Database to mail, email, or call your congress person (or any congress person) to tell them that you support hemp and they should too.
Vermont passed the law with our help, and we couldn't have done it without your help. Please make a Contribution; we appreciate anything you can give.
Thank you for you ongoing support. You are the people that can make a difference for Hemp in America and Hemp in the World. Keep it up!
-Ben, the Vote Hemp Intern
Now it's official!(new press release). Vermont is now neck and neck with North Dakota in the race of the century! Will California be able to keep up?
Do you want to be in the race? You can use Vote Hemp's easily accessible Congressional Database to mail, email, or call your congress person (or any congress person) to tell them that you support hemp and they should too.
Vermont passed the law with our help, and we couldn't have done it without your help. Please make a Contribution; we appreciate anything you can give.
Thank you for you ongoing support. You are the people that can make a difference for Hemp in America and Hemp in the World. Keep it up!
-Ben, the Vote Hemp Intern
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