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The plant’s supporters send message to Attorney General. Christina Lee/MNS
WASHINGTON — Demonstrators rallied in Washington outside Attorney General Eric Holder’s office Wednesday, pushing for the right to produce industrial hemp. This comes after North Dakota House Speaker David Monson filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Drug Enforcement Administration for unreasonable delays to his 2007 application to grow the crop in his state.
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The District’s hemp connection, according to “George Washington.” Christina Lee/MNS
Some critics say the plant produces THC, the active drug in marijuana. But advocates claim consuming hemp produces no narcotic effects as it contains minimal traces of THC. The D.E.A. had no comment on the lawsuit or on hemp.
Hemp production has been banned in the U.S. since the 1950’s. Industrial hemp is used to produce textiles, soap, paper and other products.