Lawmakers Request US Botanic Garden Display Hemp Plants

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter requesting that the U.S. Botanic Garden display male and female hemp plants.

“We understand that the display of the hemp plants would be the first time the Botanic Garden would display cannabis in its collection. As such, we want to note the legal and scientific distinction between cannabis classified as hemp and cannabis classified as marijuana. Hemp contains extraordinarily little tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the intoxicating compound in marijuana,” the lawmakers wrote. “Hemp is legally required to contain no more than 0.3% THC and is therefore not intoxicating. As noted above, hemp (cannabis with no more than 0.3% THC) is fully legal and was removed from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the 2018 Farm Bill.

“While this request is specific to displaying hemp plants, we note that more states and the federal government are beginning to legalize various forms of cannabis classified as marijuana,” the letter continues. “Last Congress, the House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2018, which would have descheduled all cannabis from the CSA. We expect similar legislation will be introduced in both the House and Senate in the 117th Congress.

“Given that hemp is legal and enjoys national, bipartisan support, now is an appropriate time for the Botanic Garden to display hemp plants.”

The representatives requested a response in writing by May 4.

The full letter is available at https://norton.house.gov.