Success!

In the summer of 2008, I interned with Vote Hemp, where I had the opportunity to gain experience as I did what I love- Hemp. I scheduled and attended over a dozen meetings that were aimed to gain additional co-sponsors for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007, HR 1009. Gaining a co-sponsor is no easy task. Usually you need money, political savvy-ness, a large organization, and more money. But this summer, Vote Hemp had one thing- Me. With my help, HR 1009 gained TWO ADDITIONAL CO-SPONSORS! THATS PRETTY SWEET!

The two co-sponsors are William Lacy Clay, Jr. of Missouri, and Michael Honda of California. If you're from either of these places, you should call their office to thank them.

Lacy Clay- 202-225-2406
Mike Honda - 202-225-2631



In addition to the co-sponsors I helped gain, I met with over a dozen offices to talk with them about industrial hemp. You can call them to remind them that Hemp is an important issue with lots of support. Here is a sample script:

"Hello, my name is ___________ and I am calling in regards to HR 1009, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007. It is my understanding that this office has just recently met with Ben Droz and Alexis Baden-Mayer, representatives from Vote Hemp, regarding this issue. I am calling in order to reiterate the importance of this bill. Over half the country has introduced legislation and over half of them have already passed pro-hemp legislation. Specifically, in the State of

{California},there is already a law on the books. In addition, further legislation has made it all the way to the Governor three times before being vetoed each time.

(This last part changes for each congress person. See list below).
I would like you to seriously consider co-sponsoring HR 1009, and industrial Hemp in general.

Thank you."


Name of Congress Person...State...Phone Number......Current Hemp laws for the State

Earl Blumenauer OR: 202-225- 4811 Bills died in committee six times
Senator Max Baucus MT : 202-224-6350 2 laws passed
Henry Waxman CA : 202-225-3976 law passed, new law vetoed by governor three times
Joe Baca CA : 202-225-6161 law passed, new law vetoed by governor three times
Jerrold Nadler NY : 202-225-5635 never introduced
Sam Farr CA : 202-225-2861 law passed, new law vetoed by governor three times
Zack Space OH : 202-225-6265 never introduced
Bobby Rush IL : 202-225-4372 three laws passed
John Salazar CO : 202-225-4761 introduced twice in 1995 and 1996
Steve Cohen TN : 202-225-3265 Introduced but died in committee
Hank Johnson GA : 202-225-1605 never introduced
Bob Filner CA : 202-225-8045 law passed, new law vetoed by governor three times
Sheila Jackson Lee TX : 202-225-3816 never introduced


Even if you don't make any calls, keep supporting hemp. (and consider making a contribution to vote hemp.)

But seriously, two new co-sponsors for this bill is AWESOME. Next session, we will essentially begin where we left off. It's a step by step process, and gaining two cosponsors is actually much more steps than just two.

We're going to do it.



-Ben, Vote Hemp intern