Farmers file federal lawsuit over hemp |
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Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:59
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two North Dakota farmers have filed a lawsuit to grow industrial hemp, a cousin of marijuana used to make everything from paper to lotion, without interference from federal drug agents.The lawsuit filed by Dave Monson, a state legislator who farms near Osnabrock, and Wayne Hauge, a farmer from Ray, is backed by Vote Hemp, an industrial hemp advocacy group.In February, Monson and Hauge were issued the nation's first licenses to grow industrial hemp, which falls under federal anti-drug rules.The state licenses are essentially worthless without permission from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and the farmers could be arrested for growing the crop.The lawsuit filed Monday asks a federal judge to recognize that hemp is allowed to be grown in North Dakota, said Tim Purdon, a Bismarck lawyer representing the farmers.'If these guys grow this crop, (the DEA) can't charge them with a crime,' Purdon said.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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