Westphalia, MO—6-12-12—This past week from June 4^th until June 10^th was the 3^rd annual Hemp History week.  It is now a tradition for a small but growing number of Americans.  Its goal is to educate people around the world about what industrial hemp can do for all people.

 Congressional candidate Steven Wilson recently commented on his thoughts regarding Hemp History Week.  “For one week we acknowledge a historical plant that literally is a diamond in the rough.  The reason it is so rough is because the government refuses to let the farmer utilize this plant to it’s full potential” said Wilson.

 Wilson went on to say “What industrial hemp can do is no secret as it is being farmed in over thirty countries including China, Canada, and Germany. There is a environmentally safe Hemp House in North Carolina and Hemp is now in multiple categories of retail. Retail sales now are estimated at over 400 million a year.  We know the product and we know the customer, all that is missing is the raw material”. 

 This year the Farm Bill of 2012 will be voted on and certain groups of people have been concerned about industrial hemp and it’s place within the farm bill.  “Food security is about agricultural sovereignty” said Wilson, “and with Ron Paul pushing forward HR 1831 of 2011 and with Senator Wyden offering senate amendment 2220 to the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 these few men are fighting for our freedom from the field to the dinner table to the shopping mall”.

 Presently, 31 states have introduced legislation and 17 states have passed legislation for hemp.  Only nine states have removed the barriers to the production and research.  If placed within the Farm Bill, this amendment would allow farmers to decide their own fate.

 Steven Wilson is a Libertarian Candidate running for US congress in the Missouri 3^rd district.  His website is http://www.missouristatesman.com