Hemp, a fast-growing, native crop, was required in the New England colonies and featured in "Hemp for Victory," a film encouraging its growth during World War II. Hemp was once legal and required. Georgia is part of the hemp belt, where this plant grows wild. However, we insist on paying China to import this crop, and wasting taxpayer money on subsidies when farmers can grow this crop locally. It is a sustainable natural resource that can replace the harmful processes of deforestation, strip mining, paper pulping, and fracking. Its many uses include oil for fuel and plastics, paper, the strongest natural fiber in the world for textiles and building materials, and a nutritious food source. Many manufacturing jobs can be created once this resource is available locally. Bring revenue and jobs to our state by allowing our Georgia farmers to grow hemp!
Why is this important?
Georgia farmers deserve to grow a native, sustainable crop rather than take subsidies. Hemp will bring revenue to Georgia that is currently sent to China to import this crop.
