Plans for a widescale planting of industrial hemp on American Indian soil have met opposition from federal officials who argue that any planting or harvesting of hemp would violate federal law. Presently, Navajo Nation President Albert Hale is awaiting a legal opinion from the tribe’s Justice Department before going forward with the project. This past March, a ceremonial planting of industrial hemp seeds by the Coalition for Hemp Awareness (CHA) took place on Native American soil following the unanimous passage of a resolution by the Nation to allow for hemp cultivation to occur on sovereign soil.
Often described as “marijuana’s misunderstood cousin,” industrial hemp is from the same plant species (Cannabis sativa) that produces marijuana. Unlike marijuana, however, industrial hemp contains only minute traces of THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gives marijuana its medicinal and euphoric properties. Regardless, DEA spokeswoman Dana Seeley still maintains that federal laws forbidding the cultivation of marijuana also apply to hemp. “We are hopeful that they will not [go forward with their plans],” she said. Seeley noted that the DEA will continue to monitor the situation closely and may take action if any large-scale test plots of hemp are planted.
After decades of unemployment, leaders of the Navajo Nation feel that hemp cultivation will invigorate the local economy. The Navajo Nation Hemp Project “is formulated to provide [a] bio-regional local industry that will create jobs and enhance the agricultural base,” stated CHA spokeswoman Christie Bohling. “With the many attributes and by-products of this natural renewable resource, the Navajo Nation will become self-sufficient in [its] ability to provide many of its own necessities.”
Currently, industrial hemp is grown legally throughout much of Europe and Asia and can be used to produce a variety of products such as cosmetics, textiles, paper, paints, plastics, and animal feed.
For more information regarding the Navajo nation Hemp Project, please contact CHA at P.O. Box 9068, Chandler Heights, AZ 85227. For further information or for a copy of the Navajo nation resolution, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of NORML at (202) 483-5500.