A crop worth its weight
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Why does hemp matter for Thailand? First off, it must be said that hemp is different than marijuana. Though from the same plant family, one has THC and can get you stoned, the other does not. Many countries allow their farmers to grow hemp, including Cana
Hemp seed has complete proteins with 10 amino acids, omega-3, -6 and -9 essential fatty acids, Vitamin E and iron. What does rice have, besides starch?
Hemp is also easier to grow than rice, needs less water and can thrive on poor soils. Its by-products can be used for fuel, compost or mulch. Why are Thai farmers kept from growing hemp? One reason: because the US government mandates that its century-old law on the matter must apply to Thailand. But wait – even the US government is waxing sensible about the archaic law. A few days ago, the US House of Representatives voted for the first time in 50 years on hemp, and decided, by 225 to 200, to allow Americans to farm it. So, if Thai politicians keep insisting on following US laws, then they can adjust to the sanity of these new developments. In other words, Thai farmers can join farmers around the world who are reaping benefits from growing this great crop.
On the other hand, Thai legislators can stick with their typical lazy, uninformed policy, and simply do nothing, as they did with the Nasa request, and the option to host World Expo 2020. Indeed, Thai politicians can file hemp files within the same unused filing cabinet that they’ve filed environmental concerns, libraries, concern for hilltribes, alternative energy and encouraging innovative thinking in schools.
Ken Albertsen
Chiang Rai
