LETTER: Hemp an ‘incredible resource;’ Congress must protect access to it

To Ozaukee Press:

     Thanks to hemp’s legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill, seniors like myself are able to use hemp products for pain management. Hemp products are legal, natural remedies for pain relief used for reasons such as chronic pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and more. Hemp is an incredible resource.

     Yet, a new ban threatens to end the hemp industry as a whole. This ban is anti-consumer, and quite frankly, anti-American. We should have the freedom to access medications that improve our quality of life without politicians in Washington, D.C., giving us permission.

     This doesn’t mean the hemp industry wouldn’t benefit from new regulations. Common sense rules like transparent labeling, child-proof packaging and a 21-year-old age requirements should be implemented to protect consumers without banning hemp outright.

     Congress should approve the Baird-Craig 24-month extension on top of the current 12-month sunset period. This would give policy makers time to implement informed regulations to protect public safety.

     I urge Rep. Glenn Grothman and Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to work together to save hemp. We need common sense solutions that prioritize safety and care.

Duane Porter

Random Lake