11/30/2010 SB510 Passes in Senate

 

Does Senate Bill 510 Put Raw Milk in Real Danger?

by A.K. Streeter, Portland, Oregon on 11.30.10

Food & Health

 

Today the U.S. Senate passed Senate Bill 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act. After the recent scandal with eggs, and all of the other food safety issues of recent years (meat, peanut butter, spinach), many people believe this is a positive step - and obviously Senate lawmakers, who voted 75 to 23 to pass SB 510, also think the bill is good. A segment of farm advocates have warned that SB 510 is a severe threat to small farms - and by extension, most raw milk producers - because of the sweeping powers it gives to the Federal Drug Administation (FDA) and the possibility for onerous paperwork and other regulations for farmers. But there's some good news.

SB 510 will give the FDA broader jurisdiction, specifically in the wording of the bill that lets the FDA act on "reason to believe." SB 510 would also allow the FDA to mandate that a company recall a food product it suspects is infected. Thus if the FDA has reason to believe - a very subjective measure - raw milk is harmful, it could attempt to shut down that producer - unless the farmer had gone through the necessary paperwork to get an exemption.

While SB 510 passed, the Tester/Hagen Amendment that was recently added to the bill excludes small farmers and farms making less than $500,000 annually, by allowing them to apply for exemption from FDA regulatory oversight. The inclusion of the amendment made the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition finally lend support for SB 510.

As Kari Marion spells out in her blog at JustMeans, the Centers for Disease Control have tallied the big costs of food safety breaches: they "cause approximately 75 million illnesses each year including approximately 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths."

To put the dangers of raw milk in perspective in comparison with those annual figures, a CDC representative gave the following statistics in a recent Reuters story: from 1993 to 2006 outbreaks related to raw milk and cheese and yogurt made from it have been tied to 1571 illnesses, 202 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Even after the inclusion of the Tester-Hagan amendment, the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, another small farm advocacy group is still opposed. FTCLDF president Pete Kennedy told the Daily Caller:

"The Tester-Hagan amendment is an improvement on the bill, but I think it's still fundamentally flawed," Kennedy told TheDC. "I think over time the powers given by the bill could possibly whittle away at the protection provided by Tester-Hagan, they'll have broad power, and unfortunately under their existing power, what we see right now they seem to have three particular targets, which are raw milk, raw cheese, and supplements."

So while the Tester-Hagan amendment is good news for sustainable and local farm proponents, it seems the freedom to choose our food sources is not entirely out of the woods.

Read more about raw milk at TreeHugger:
If You Want Safe Food, Know Where It Comes From
The Raw Milk Revolution: Book Review
Raw Milk Risks and Benefits Explained
The Milk Police: Smuggling Raw Milk Across State Lines

Other Links:

http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2010/11/18/congress-giving-fda-power-over-our-food/

http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/garden-detective-1.812029/sb-510-food-safety-bill-passes-senate-1.2504410

SB.510 Food Safety bill passes Senate

11:47 AM By Jessica Damiano

The somewhat controversial (in some circles, anyway) Food Safety Modernization Act passed the Senate easily this morning, 73 to 25.

It's had a long journey, and it isn't done yet: The Senate version still has to be reconciled with the House's 2009 version.

Whats the fuss? Read about the bill's pros and cons.

Senate Bill sb 510 and your right to grow your own food

Senate bill S 510 vote imminent - procedural vote passes 74-25

(NaturalNews) U.S. Senate Bill S 510 is now on the Senate floor where a vote is expected shortly. Yesterday, the Motion to Invoke Cloture passed on a vote of 74-25 (see how they voted, below), sending the bill forward for a final vote perhaps as early as today.
US Senate offices are experiencing a huge backlash of grassroots opposition to the bill -- called the Food Safety Modernization Act -- as virtually every health freedom organization, family farm group and even dietary supplement companies have aligned to oppose this new bill. It is being called "The most dangerous bill in United States history" and would thrust America into a new Dark Ages of FDA tyranny over seeds, foods, herbs, gardens and nutritional supplements. (http://naturalnews.com/030418_Food_...)
Opposition to the bill has been widespread. For example, the John Birch Society issued this alert yesterday:
Senate Bill 510 has already passed committee and is on the Senate calendar. It calls for enhanced expansion of FDA authority over small farms, ranches, and other food producers, establishes burdensome administrative requirements for large and small operations, and arbitrary legal authority to recall "unsafe medications," the definition of which is not clearly established; if in line with the global standard set by Codex Alimentarius, "unsafe medications" could extend to dietary supplements and herbal products. There is language that currently exempts from heavy regulation dietary supplement manufacturers and packagers. However, the FDA and its agents are notorious for interpreting regulations their own way.
Take Action: Click here to sign the John Birch Society petition opposing S.510.
The John Birch Society insists that "My right to produce, distribute, and consume the foods of my choice is part of my right to life and liberty under the Constitution."
I happen to agree. The FDA has no business telling us we can't buy raw milk, or we can't save our own garden seeds or grow organic produce and sell it at the farmer's market.

How they voted so far

Here's how the senators voted on the motion to send S.510 to a full floor vote: (this is a procedural vote to move the bill forward so that it can be voted on for final passage)
Who voted in FAVOR of moving S.510 forward
Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Begich (D-AK)
Bennet (D-CO)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Brown (R-MA)
Burr (R-NC)
Burris (D-IL)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Coons (D-DE)
Corker (R-TN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Franken (D-MN)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagan (D-NC)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
LeMieux (R-FL)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Manchin (D-WV)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (D-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (D-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
Who OPPOSED S.510
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Graham (R-SC)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Nelson (D-NE)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
All of you who live in states where senators voted in favor of this need to call your U.S. Senate offices today -- right now -- and urge them to oppose this nefarious bill.
Call the Capitol Switchboard and ask to be directly connected to your Senator's office: 202-224-3121.
We are about to lose our food freedoms over the bill, because unless more pressure is brought to bear, it looks like this bill will soon pass -- and we will be thrust into a new era of FDA tyranny over the food supply.

Articles Related to This Article:

• FDA drug safety bill passes in the U.S. Senate; health freedom advocates outraged at betrayal of American consumers
• Natural health community having a huge impact on Senate bill S.1082; consumers achieving important victories
• Update on Senate bill S.1082 and implications for the health freedom of consumers
• Beware of the Senate Bill 510, the Food Seizure and Big Agra Act
• US Senate debate on S.510 Food Safety bill could extend into the weekend
• Senate Bill 1959 to Criminalize Thoughts, Blogs, Books and Free Speech Across America

It’s Friday! What are you eating for dinner???

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

GMOs are being pushed allegedly to conquer the food crisis, but in reality GMOs do nothing of the sort and can actually contaminate normally grown foods. The proponents of GMOs claim an increased yield, but in fact over 20 years, the yields of soybean, corn, and feed crops have failed to increase. Dr. Doug Gurian-Sherman, former US EPA and US FDA biotech specialist concludes that “traditional breeding” out performs genetically modified crops hands down! He also states there are no GM crops that were genetically engineered to resist drought, reduce fertilizer pollution, or save soil…no not one!

Bill Cristinson, President of the U.S. Family Farm Coalition states that the promise of using less chemicals and producing a greater yield is total hogwash. Even a major UN-World Bank sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries concluded that GMOs had little to offer in the way of helping the world’s food supply.

GMO foods have not been shown safe to eat. Genetic modification is really a crude way to instill foreign genetic material (viruses and bacteria) into crops and the consequences are unknown. Animals will avoid GMO foods, even insects and vermin will not eat these food crops. Little testing has been done for safety and only one study has been published on the direct effects of eating GM foods. It found unexpected effects on gut bacteria (which is of extreme worry since the gut is your immune system balance) but was never followed up. Claims that Americans have eaten GM foods for years with no ill effects are false. No one has studied or monitored people who have ingested GM foods for any period of time. Unfortunately, the government has refused to label GM foods; so again, the citizen is a guinea pig for unknown ill effects of an untested crop altering program.

Dr. Suzanne Wuerthele, US Environmental Protection Agency toxicologist states, “We are confronted with the most powerful technology the world has ever known, and it is being rapidly deployed with almost no thought whatsoever to its consequences.”

Everyone has heard of Mad Cow disease and most understand that the cause is feed contaminated with bones from dead animals, purposely put in the grain allegedly to enhance the feed...but in fact, causes this deadly disease. As well, stealth GMOs are in animal feeds without the consent of consumers. Meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals raised on the millions of tons of GM feed imported into Europe do not have to be labeled. Are they force fed the GM food or is it simply intermixed? We don’t know. However, GM crops fed to animals can appear in the resulting product and the animals’ health can be affected as well as the health of those eating the animals or their byproducts, eggs and dairy.

GM seed prices in America have increased dramatically compared to normal and organic seeds, which in effect cuts the average farm incomes for those growing GM crops. The farms that have been growing GM seeds are now dealing with the consequences of increased pricing as well as having their soil contaminated with genetically altered seeds and crops.

GM contamination of conventional food is increasing. For example, a one year test of GM rice grown in a field was found to have extensively contaminated the US rice supply and seed stocks. Canada’s oilseed rape industry (Canola) has been destroyed by contamination from GM rapeseed. The coexistence of normal seeds and crops with GM’s is practically impossible. Once it spreads, it is impossible to grow normal crops as the soil is contaminated and the genetic alterations spread. It is a one way choice, once it’s made, it cannot be reversed. For an overview of the worldwide contamination of GMOs in fish, insects, crops, trees, plants, etc, see this link.

 

The big biotech firms (especially Monsanto) pushing their genetically altered foods have a terrible history of toxic contamination and public deception. Of course they have patents on the GMO’s and that allows them to control and monopolize the world’s food supply. They have even started harassing and intimidating farmers for the “crime” of saving patented seed or “stealing” patented genes – even if those genes got into the farmer’s fields through accidental contamination by wind or insects. Farmers are being sued for having GMOs on their property that they never wanted, never bought and never knew about and don’t intend to use. It’s gotten totally out of hand. Do you see the picture of control with the food industry…and America the bread basket of the world!

Our water is filled with the poison of fluoride, and now our food is contaminated by being genetically altered with viruses and bacteria that no honest consumer would ever want to eat. And we don’t even know which foods we buy are GMOs. Again, it appears this is part of the big picture to control our food and the population of the world. I’d bet the Rockefeller Foundation for Population Control and their friends are behind this entire plan. If you have a little piece of land, grow your own and learn to can fruits, vegetables, and meats just like our grandparents did.

Life is changing radically in America and sadly most are not prepared to care for themselves without the help of the state as we once were in generations past.

Click here for part -----> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

© 2010 Kelleigh Nelson - All Rights Reserved

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Kelleigh Nelson has been researching the Christian right and their connections to the left, the new age, and cults since 1975. Formerly an executive producer for three different national radio talk show hosts, she was adept at finding and scheduling a variety of wonderful guests for her radio hosts. She and her husband live in Knoxville, TN, and she has owned her own wholesale commercial bakery since 1990. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Kelleigh was marketing communications and advertising manager for a fortune 100 company in Ohio. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she was a Goldwater girl with high school classmate, Hillary Rodham, in Park Ridge, Illinois. Kelleigh is well acquainted with Chicago politics and was working in downtown Chicago during the 1968 Democratic convention riots.

E-Mail: proverbs133@bellsouth.net

The Irony of it all....the legalize cannabis movement

By Sheree Krider 11.12.10

As I am sitting here diligently going thru all of my “google alerts”, I came across a page with three articles listed together which caught my attention.  I thought it quite ironic that the three items came in the same alert...

 

1. 

Foreclosures, bad economy create fertile ground for marijuana 'grow houses'
Las Vegas Sun
The increase may be attributed to Nevada's record-high unemployment and foreclosure rates,

which have compelled some financially desperate absentee owners ...

2. 

Nevada pot attempt fails. | The Hive
CARSON CITY -- A move to legalize marijuana in Nevada has failed again, the leaders of the

Nevadans for Sensible Marijuana Laws said Monday. ...

3. 

Cannabis Career Institute will be Holding Seminars in Las Vegas to ...
Cannabis Career Institute will be Holding Seminars in Las Vegas to Teach Medical Marijuana Business

All three articles concern Nevada residents.  Economically, politically and personally.

The articles could be duplicated to include all the states with “Marijuana initiatives” on their ballots this year. 

They failed miserably.

 

Yet, it has been established through local reporting that the “bad economy” is creating “fertile ground” for grow houses in foreclosed homes...

while...

the “Cannabis Career Institute” is holding seminars in Las Vegas,

yet,

the “legalization in Nevada failed again...

What is wrong with this picture???

PLAN TO ATTEND (OHIO) NOV. 13TH

Ohio Patients Are Running Out of Patience Rally                                   

Hosted by Miami Valley NORML / MV-NORML.org

When- November 13, 2010

Time- High Noon- 4:20 PM

Location: Courthouse Square, located at the corner of Third and Mainstreets in the heart of downtown Dayton

Please join Leaders from all over the state - In Support of HB478The Ohio Medical Compassion Act – Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Bill

As we stand up for our rights.

As we stand up to be heard by our lawmakers.

As we stand up for those who cannot.

As we stand up for our medicine.

Local Keynote Speakers

Charles M. Rowland II Charles is a former Ohio Prosecutor and a member of Law Enforcement AgainstProhibition LEAP.cc - A criminal defense attorney who is against this drug war for info- charlesrowland.com

Tonya Davis-A medical cannabis Patient, Medical Marijuana Director with Ohio NORML & Miami ValleyNORML and local Human Rights Activist trying to bring common sense to marijuana drug policy. Tonya hasbeen involved with the current House Bill 478 and former Senate Bill’s 343 and 74 and will let you know howthe program would work if it makes it into law and be available to answer questions. 1888-588-2843- more info Ohiomedicalmarijuana.com or Ohiopatient.net

Jenna VanHouten – A Young Couples fight - Dayton Drug War Victims (Bring your Kleenex) their lives havechanged forever over 3 or 4 marijuana plants to treat serious health conditions and the behavior by police waseven worse than the crime committed

Luke McKellar -Libertarian Party of Ohio's Central Committee Chair, and candidate for Beavercreek CityCouncil in 2007.

Mark Babb - Local Criminal defense attorney who specializes in  Marijuana cases.

Dawn Dunlap- President of Central Ohio NORML, Patient and amazing speaker with a powerful story. Dawn also was involved with HB478.

Cindy Wimer WV AAMC State Director... Patient and powerful speaker and Activist.

Niki Wilkerson Dayton Ohio's TV Host of the NIki Wilkerson show.

Robert Ryan Is involved with LEAP.. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ... Treasurer of Miami Valley NORML- Chapter coordinator with Ohio NORML

State Rep Bob Hagen (D) Youngstown Co Sponsor of our current HB478 The Ohio Medical CompassionAct… says he might pay us a visit. Representative Hagan Introduced former Senate Bill 74 and has announcedhe will be one of the Sponsors for 2011’s The Ohio Medical Compassion Act.

Hospice Patient Rodney Peters. Was deigned  and kicked out of a pain management  program because he tested positive for marijuana.

Doc Miller... Radio host and medical cannabis patient

       Many more speakers from all walks of lives...

Classic Rock  performed  by Thin Blood from New Richmond, Ohio

Hip Hop- Organic Bandits from Wilmington,Ohio

Acoustic- by Zebulon of Babylon from Wilmington, OhioUlrich Van Cru

Bluegrass performed by Blue Moon Soup from Yellow Springs, Ohio

Music made possible because of these folks: Hemprock Productions- Paul Riley – Crazy Leg ProductionsThis event is being held on behalf of Ohio Patient Network, a 501 C3 non-profit organization. Donationsare tax deductable. ohiopatient.org

Respectfully
Tonya Davis
Visit
Http://OhioMedicalMarijuana.com
http://facebook.com/ohiomedicalcompassionact
http://ohiopatient.net
http://normlohio.org
http://mvnorml.org
http://letfreedomgrow.org

 

"Judge others on your interactions with them not by stories being told". Or just ask them.
"I believe" in the power
of love " I believe" In the impossible.. because ...love and faith
will make All possible..believe the change u seek. I know no
malice, no contempt, I AM one with God and my fellowman. So it shall
be!

Right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

47791 (E) 070910
*1047791*
Sixty-fifth session
Item 69 (b) of the provisional agenda*
Promotion and protection of human rights:
human rights questions, including alternative
approaches for improving the effective enjoyment
of human rights and fundamental freedoms

http://www.soros.org/

Right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of physical and mental health
Note by the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the members of the
General Assembly the report submitted by Anand Grover, Special Rapporteur on the
right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and
mental health, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 6/29.

initiatives/health/focus/ihrd/events/grover-20101026/anand-grover-report-20100806.pdf

THIS IS A “MUST READ DOCUMENT”....smk

Prop 19 Fails to Legalize Marijuana Use In California

Marijuana

 

 

Proposition 19 was one of the most talked about and anticipated issued on the ballot in California last week. The amount of support for the bill was astounding according to political analysts; unfortunately despite all the support the bill failed to pass. The reasons for the bill failing were initially unknown; although it eventually became clear that the bill simply failed due to a lack of support for a large portion of voters.

Despite the fact that the legalization of recreational use of marijuana failed, marijuana supporters still believe this election was a major step in the right direction. In the past there has never been such a huge push towards legalization; so clearly supporters are making progress. The amount of funds available in support of the bill was also astounding, donors poured millions of dollars into the bill in hopes that it would help spread the word. At this point marijuana supporters say they are already preparing to push the bill once again in 2012; with the hope that it may finally pass.

Many supports believe the federal government is to blame for the bill failing; and they are partly correct. A large portion of funding went to fight the federal government because under current law marijuana is prohibited nationally. Technically unless the federal law is changed marijuana use will still be a federal crime; although California has already shown that state legalization can be accomplished in some cases.

Those against marijuana use also believe that this election was a step in the right direction for legalization; the results of the election speak strongly that in general the American population is avidly opposed to legalizing marijuana. Until at least 2012 marijuana will still be illegal, even in California.

Published on 07 November 2010. | Written by J Cox

Hemp Legalization may Piggyback to Legality on Prop. 19

November 1, 2010 – David Bronner’s third-generation family business – Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps – imports 20 tons of hemp oil a year from Canada to make soaps, shampoos and skin lotions near San Diego.

 

 

Now Bronner hopes California’s Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana for recreational use can give impetus to legalizing cultivation of hemp – pot’s (non-psychoactive) cannabis cousin.

Proposition 19 proponents say the initiative’s language allowing local governments to permit cannabis cultivation – by definition – includes both marijuana and hemp.

But the measure variously inspires or infuriates hemp advocates, who are waging arguments over whether it will help or hinder efforts to lift a U.S. ban on hemp cultivation.

Some say Proposition 19 could invigorate a national hemp industry that already produces more than $350 million in annual sales of clothing, food, paper, carpet and other items – all from hemp grown in other countries.

Others contend the measure will further link hemp – a cannabis plant that can’t get you high – with marijuana and deal a public relations setback to the hemp movement. While it looks like marijuana, hemp contains only minute traces of pot’s psychoactive elements.

Hemp fibers, foods and oils are imported from more than 30 other countries, but the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration treats hemp cultivation as an illegal activity akin to narcotics production.

Erwin A. “Bud” Sholts, chairman of the North American Industrial Hemp Council, a Wisconsin group hoping to open up American farmland to hemp cultivation, wants nothing to do with California’s pot initiative.

“I don’t think we’re interested in legalizing the drug at all,” he said.

Sholts, a former economist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, said his hemp trade organization is working with major U.S. companies he won’t name to “develop a strategy” for legalizing U.S. production.

The last thing his partners need, Sholts said, is California’s Proposition 19. “They don’t want to appear to be pro-marijuana,” he said.

In its only direct reference to hemp, Proposition 19 says the Legislature may “authorize the production of hemp or non-active cannabis.”

That is pure political melody to Bronner, president of another pro-hemp group, the Hemp Industries Association.

“I think the initiative would be very helpful,” said Bronner, who said his business costs would drop by 25 percent if he could cultivate hemp in California.

Several states have passed legislation urging the federal government to legalize hemp and setting guidelines for a potential resurgence of cultivation.

In 2006, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1147 by San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno and Irvine Republican Chuck DeVore to endorse hemp cultivation in California. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Leno, now a state senator, said he will introduce new hemp legislation if Proposition 19 passes.

His earlier bill argued that hemp should be defined differently than marijuana because it is a not a mind-altering substance. While marijuana may contain 5 percent to 20 percent of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), hemp has 0.3 percent or less.

“They are distant biological cousins,” Leno said. “The analogy is that hemp has as much THC as the poppy seeds on your bagel have opium.”

Nationally, growing hemp has essentially been illegal since marijuana was outlawed in 1937 – except for one notable period. In World War II, the U.S. Department of Agriculture produced a film – “Hemp for Victory” – that called on “patriotic farmers” to produce hemp for rope, fabrics and other “needs of our Army and Navy.”

U.S. drug agents have since regarded the plant as an unwanted relative of pot. Authorities contend its similar appearance can shield illegal marijuana cultivation – though pot growers say hemp can cross-pollinate marijuana, killing its potency.

Last year, Republican Rep. Ron Paul and Democratic Rep. Barney Frank introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in Congress, seeking to give states the right to permit hemp growing.

In a joint letter, Paul and Frank argued that hemp’s inclusion with marijuana in the Federal Controlled Substances Act has prohibited American farmers from “competing in the booming industrial hemp market.”

That market is already booming for John Roulak. His Oxnard-based Nutiva food company – listed in Inc. magazine as one of America’s 5,000 fastest growing businesses – expects to earn $12 million this year on imports of hemp foods from “Hemp Ginger Salad Dressing” to hemp protein shakes and munchable hemp seeds.

Sales of hemp foods – said to be high in fiber, protein and Omega-3 and Omega-6 – took off after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2004 that the Drug Enforcement Administration couldn’t ban foods containing the plant products.

Roulak is torn over whether Proposition 19 and greater marijuana legalization will help with hemp.

“I’ve been in the middle of that debate for too long,” he said. “I’m a voice of stay away from the dope (pot), stay focused on the rope (hemp).”

Roulak said few people in California are willing to invest in growing acres of hemp – whose market value is far closer to corn than marijuana – for fear authorities will “have their fields cut down.”

But he said passage of Proposition 19 would give political cover for the next governor to sign a bill legalizing cultivation.

“We feel optimistic,” he said, “that a bill signed by the governor of California will give us more options legally than we have now.” By Peter Hecht. Source.