Industrial hemp is used to produce a variety of products sold in the U.S., including hemp oil, hemp seed, lotion, rope and hemp concrete.

KOKOMO, Ind. — A crowd gathered here to watch Bringing It Home, a documentary about the industrial hemp industry.The 55-minute movie discussed the uses of hemp in textiles, food and building materials, as well as the regulations preventing U.S. farmers from growing it.

“We’re getting all our hemp seed from Canada and all our (hemp) fiber from China,” said Jamie Campbell, president of the Indiana Hemp Industries Association. “China is the leading exporter of hemp; we’re the leading importer.

“We believe that our farmers deserve the opportunity to grow hemp. We have land and engineers — so why can’t we manufacture it here? I look to Howard County — you have the tools and everything right here. The job market needs you.”

George Blankenbaker, manager of Real Hemp LLC, wants Indiana to lead the country in industrial hemp production.

Real Hemp, a subsidiary of Stevia Corp., is a company that focuses on growth, harvesting, processing and distribution of industrial hemp.

“Our goal here is to support what the Indiana Hemp Industries Association is doing of the development of hemp in Indiana,” Blankenbaker said.

“Eventually our company would like to partner with the growers and processors. We believe Indiana has potential to be a major growing state because the Midwest is ideal for growing hemp, together with the support of Purdue University.”

In 2013, Indiana Farm Bureau approved the policy position of: “We support the legalization and the production of industrial hemp as renewable fiber energy and for industrial uses only.”

Indiana’s advance continued in March 2014, when Gov. Mike Pence signed Indiana’s industrial hemp bill, State Bill 357.

As the ink dried on the bill, other states with similar laws prepared to legally grow hemp for the first time in 50 years. Section 7606 of the federal farm bill allows institutions of higher education or state departments of agriculture to grow hemp for research.

Kentucky, Vermont and Colorado already have harvested hemp as part of this research.

Campbell and other advocates would like legislation to pass soon so that pilot programs can begin in Indiana in 2015.

“We’re interested in the economy and the environment,” she said. “We feel that it’s not taking the place of corn or soybeans — it’s an option, an alternative.”

Campbell also is working to clear up misunderstandings about the difference between hemp and its THC-bearing cousin, marijuana.

“The key takeaway point is that hemp is not marijuana,” she said. “You won’t get high from any of the products.”

George Blankenbaker, manager of Real Hemp LLC, wants Indiana to lead the country in industrial hemp production.

Real Hemp, a subsidiary of Stevia Corp., is a company that focuses on growth, harvesting, processing and distribution of industrial hemp.

“Our goal here is to support what the Indiana Hemp Industries Association is doing of the development of hemp in Indiana,” Blankenbaker said.

“Eventually our company would like to partner with the growers and processors. We believe Indiana has potential to be a major growing state because the Midwest is ideal for growing hemp, together with the support of Purdue University.”

 

Erica Quinlan can be reached at 317-726-5391, ext. 4, or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Quinlan.