American Protestors Arrested

[brahmburgers]

BB's note: This relates to Thailand, and here's why:

For starters, Thailand's drug laws copy America's. Uncle Sam bans growing hemp, so of course Thailand has to do the same. The peaceful protest, described below, is a way to move America (and therefore Thailand also) in a more sane direction re; allowing hemp to be farmed.

In case you don't know, hemp has a wealth of industrial and nutritional attributes - the list could go on for pages. It grows like a weed on marginal land and needs little water and care, and has no need for chemicals. It could also play a part in power generation. Also, HM the Queen (and at least one of her daughters) is open minded about the benefits of hemp farming in Thailand.

Hemp Farmers Arrested For Planting Hemp at US DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).

Farmers, Business Owners and Vote Hemp Board Members Arrested Protesting DEA Policies Washington, DC October 14, 2008 On Tuesday October 13th, farmers Wayne Hauge of North Dakota and Will Allen of Vermont were arrested at DEA headquarters in Arlington, VA for planting industrial hemp seeds on the DEA lawn. Also arrested were David Bronner of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Steve Levine of the Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp, Isaac Nichelson of Livity Outernational and Adam Eidinger of Vote Hemp.

Hemp Industries Association members were in Washington, DC for their annual meeting and to lobby members of Congress to support H.R. 1866, The Hemp Farming Act of 2009.

Approximately 20 protesters arrived at DEA at around 10:30 am with signs and ceremonial shovels and began digging and planting industrial hemp seeds on the lawn. DEA

security began asking if the protesters had a permit. The protesters explained that North Dakota farmers had applied for DEA permits almost 2 years ago and still had not received a reply. They were arrested a short while later by Arlington County police. All 6 were released later that day after being charged with trespassing.

link to Washington Post article

Americans will grin when reading the above article, as it reminds us of the Boston Tea Party and other whimsical protests - that wound up having far-reaching affects. The momentum to legalize hemp farming in the US is gaining, and it won't be long before the stick-in-the-mud adversaries are left far behind with tire tracks on their backs - relegated to the dust bin of history, along with Puritans who used to cast evil spells on anyone caught eating a tomato (considered poisonous in days gone by).

Edited October 15, 2009 by brahmburgers

[JUDAS]

Well, I guess anything can be Thai related if you look hard enough, not that I mind.

[dave_boo]

Lucky they got off with just trespassing.

As a side note, you can grow hemp...just need the permit as mentioned in the article. Also the States aren't the only place that have restrictions on the growth. According to Wikipedia you need a permit in at least EU, Canada, and Australia. Also the Puritans were apparently one of the first Europeans recorded to grow it in N.A (and the reason they thought tomatos were poisonous was because the British weren't smart enough to eat only the fruit...). But don't let that get in the way of those who will wish to bash the States.

[JUDAS]

I learn something new every day dave, the Brits and tomatos Not quite sure how we get to bashing the States from that though ...

[cdnvic]

Not Thai related.