Lawsuit challenges ban on hemp farming

Published: Oct. 19, 2007 at 3:40 PM

FARGO, N.D., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Two North Dakota farmers have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration challenging their enforcement of a ban on hemp cultivation.

The lawsuit contends the DEA is unfairly blocking applications for federal permits to grow industrial hemp on the mistaken premise that it is the same plant as marijuana.

Growers Wayne Hague and Dave Monson argue that assumption is incorrect since industrial hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the chemical that makes marijuana a recreational drug. They told CNN hemp is a viable cash crop for farmers since it has a number of industrial uses.

The DEA contends it is only following federal law, and cannot make exceptions without legislation from Congress. The law currently lumps industrial hemp and marijuana together, and some narcotics officials say inspecting hemp fields in order to make sure no marijuana is being grown would be a tremendous drain on resources.

A hearing on the suit will be held in federal court Nov. 14.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News (12 min)
Parents object to haircut punishment (20 min)
October budget deficit is $176.3 billion (20 min)
Officer hit by golf cart during parade (23 min)
Ex-Neb. RB Collins gets life for murder (28 min)
Facebook post clears robbery suspect (34 min)
UPI NewsTrack Sports (41 min)
fark
John King to replace Lou Dobbs, says CNN. Dobbs' wife reportedly pleased
Guy's cell phone minutes run out, so he calls 911 five times to see if anyone will have sex with...
*POP*
Woman wins $1M McDonalds Monopoly prize. Plans to use winnings on new house, car, angioplasty
You went full North by Northwest, dude. Never go full North by Northwest
Not news: ex-soldier finds a gun in his garden - Still not news: man hands gun into police - Fark:...