To: Tina Wildberger (HI-11) and Rosalyn Baker (HI-6)

Kaniela Ing and Roz Baker: Industrial Hemp Creates Green Jobs, Pass SB375

Aloha Kaniel Ing and Roz Baker,

Make the cultivation of Industrial Hemp in Hawai‘i legal, well regulated, and use the increased revenues through taxes to expand and enhance public education and hospitals.

We support SB 375 and feel that our representatives must push their colleagues in the Hawai‘i State House and Senate to encourage the cultivation of Industrial Hemp by those in our community who want to grow and diversify our economy in a positive and meaningful way.

The U.S. hemp industry continues to grow each year as more of our citizens learn of the thousands of uses that are available and the relatively small environmental footprint that the cultivation of hemp has on our planet. In 2013, the Hemp Industries Association estimated retail sales in the U.S. were $580,000,000 annually and continue to expand. Not moving state policy to encourage the production of hemp and products associated with it's cultivation would be irresponsible of elected officials that run on protecting the environment, caring for human health, expanding education, and creating jobs. Passing SB 375 places Hawai‘i in a great position to thrive in a modern and very global 21st century economy.

We ask that you grow and diversify our economy, create green jobs, and give industrial hemp a chance: Pass SB 375 through the state house and senate and send it to Governor Ige's desk!

Mahalo,
John Fitzpatrick and the undersigned.

Why is this important?

I am starting this petition because I went to the hemp for hope workshop last year and learned you can make great grown and made on maui products such as hempcrete, insulation, canvas, clothing, hemp oil, hemp seed, biofuels, and paper just to name a few great uses. On July 4, 1776 the declaration of independence was written on hemp paper. I feel it is time to allow entrepreneurs and businesses in our community to partake and invest in the over half a billion dollar industry that continues to grow throughout the nation. Legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp and expanding the industry to others that want to adopt safer agricultural practices, protect our environment, and make Hawai‘i a better place for future generations is common sense, a great idea, and the right thing to do.