CAFF works hard to create new markets for California farmers. We strongly believe that healthy local agricultural markets are important, providing income for farmers themselves and creating strong rural economies. For these reasons, CAFF has long supported the legal growing and processing of industrial hemp in California.

Hemp is a crop with multiple market uses, from fabrics to oils, and it can be grown in a variety of conditions with relatively little environmental impact. Canada has more than tripled its production of industrial hemp in the last four years, and today Canadian farmers produce the crops that are usefd to make many value-added products that are sold in the United States.California farmers should be able to reap the same economic benefits from hemp. Please send a letter to your Assemblymember and urge him/her to support AB 1147 (Leno).

Sample Support Letter

(Find your Assemblymember's mailing address at: www.assembly.ca.gov. Click on "Find My District". To send your letter via fax, click on your representative's home page to locate their fax number.)

DATE

Assemblymember's name
State Capitol Building
[Enter Room Number]
Sacramento, CA 95202

RE: Support for AB 1147 (Leno)

Dear Assemblymember:

I am writing to express my support for AB 1147, which will allow California farmers to grow industrial hemp.

If you are a farmer, describe your farming operation: for example, where your farm is located, how many acres, what crops you farm.

I support industrial hemp because: (choose one or more of the following points):

Industrial hemp hemp is a crop with multiple market uses, from fabrics to oils. California farmers deserve to share in the economic benefits of producing hemp.

Industrial hemp will increase economic markets from farmers, and will in turn strengthen rural agricultural economies.

Hemp can be grown in a variety of conditions with relatively little environmental impact. I believe in encouraging the production of crops that are good for farmers, rural communities, and the environment.

Name your own reason

Highlight one or more of the following points:

As defined in AB 1147, industrial hemp contains only trace amounts of the chemical THC, which is found in marijuana. Federal courts have recently made it clear that industrial hemp is not a class I drug.