In Hawaii, H is for Hemp

On this Labor Day 2020, let’s take a moment to raise thunderous applause and express our gratitude for all ESSENTIAL employees who have been providing our food, keeping us safe, ensuring the lights and water remain on, and for providing world-class medical care to those suffering C19. You’re heroes in this Third World War. We salute you! 

H is for Hemp in Hawai’i as hemp is a variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant with 0.3% or less THC content grown specifically for industrial uses. Hemp is one of the fastest growing plants and one of the first to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. President Nixon outlawed all forms of cannabis in 1970 in racist legislation to target Black and Brown Americans — a practice initiated by Harry Anslinger in the 1930s.

The War on Drugs has done far more damage to the African American community than did slavery.

ACLU report on cannabis-related arrests 2010 to 2018 found Black people 3.64 times more likely than Whites to be arrested for cannabis possession. Nixon criminalized cannabis to target Black and Brown people — that was 1970 — 50 Years of Injustice — and counting.

Cannabis was a lawful plant used in many medicinal as well as industrial products up to the 1930s. The potential for health benefits were known in the 1970s.

Unfortunately, Hawaiian Electric CEO & President Constance Hee Lau fired me for using medical cannabis at night before bed to reduce pain from my disability. I was a recognized and outstanding employee. Never medicated prior to or during work and HR told me I would “be fine.”

Cruelty and ignorance in corporate board rooms are criminal. Democrats claim they care about people. All talk! When will they show us with action? We’re tired of being invisible in America.

Hawai’i state Senator Mike Gabbard praised the governor’s signing of commercial hemp bill: I’m hempy to announce our hemp bill was signed by the Gov! Hemp, Hemp, Hooray!! (Ah yes, wearing my hemp aloha shirt and surrounded by Hawaiian hemp!!!)🤙🏽

See Regulations for Hemp Cultivation in Hawai’i

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 28, 2020

“Given the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our economy, the signing of HB 1819 is a bright spot that has big potential for local agriculture. Soon, we’ll have local farmers applying to the USDA for licenses to finally move forward with commercial hemp operations. It’s been a long time coming since former Governor Ben Cayetano declared Dec.14, 1999 as Hawai’i Industrial Hemp Day and unfortunately our government fell asleep, as it tends to do sometimes.

At the request of a dear friend who passed away recently, I introduced four bills from 2014 to 2018 that became law, which included a U.H. hemp research study and setting up a pilot hemp research program. Hemp is an amazing crop that can create over 25,000 products. The key is developing a cottage industry with Hawai‘i branding that will set us apart from the global competition. I’m hopeful hemp will help diversify our economy and create opportunities amid and beyond these extremely difficult times. Hemp, hemp, hooray!”

Senator Mike Gabbard (above), Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee, commended Governor David Ige for signing HB 1819 into law to legalize the growing, processing, and sale of industrial hemp in Hawai‘i.

Chris Lee, State Representative from Kailua and Waimanalo, knows hemp is an amazing crop that can create over 25,000 products.

We’re creating a new hemp industry in Hawaii. The Governor just signed our bill into law. HB1819 legalizes the growing, processing, and sale of industrial hemp in Hawai‘i.

He says the legislation is a big step forward and will help local farmers develop a new cottage industry with Hawai‘i branding that can be recognized and exported. Hemp will help diversify and expand our economy, especially now in the midst of a crisis. We’re going to have a lot more work to do to help small farmers lead the way and compete with their own brands, but this is a big first step.

The picture (above) features Chris (L) with, Senator Laura Thielen, breaking ground to help plant the very first hemp seeds in Waimanalo. The incredible success of that UH program helped lead to the passage of this bill. A huge mahalo also goes to Senator Mike Gabbard and Rep. Richard Creagan who helped us push this bill through. HB1819 was signed into law as Act 14 on August 27.

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Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
“I Believe We Can”