Legalize Industrial Hemp in the United States of America!

We, the undersigned feel that Industrial grade hemp should be federally legalized in the United States of America for several reasons. Industrial hemp is not the same as its cousin marijuana, a class I controlled substance under federal law, yet hemp is still considered as such. Industrial hemp cannot be used to produce a "high". Industrial hemp is grown in a way minimizing the buds and leaves which produce THC, the active substance in marijuana. Instead, hemp is grown maximizing the stalks and fibers of the plant which can be easily used for many quality products. Hemp fiber can be used to make a stronger wood substitute paper, fine cloth, canvas and can whitened using less environmentally harmful chemicals than are used to whiten materials to make paper from trees. Sterilized hemp seed can be eaten, containing large amounts of protein and omega-3 trans fatty acids. Hemp hurd, a biomass of the hemp plant, can be used for making oils (which can be used to make many cosmetics), hemp biodiesel which can run much cleaner than our currently used fossil fuels. There are literally too many products hemp can be used to make to list here. Hemp is also quite environmentally friendly. Hemp requires no pesticides or fertilizers and much less water than other crops. Pesticides cause cancer, damage to groundwater and poison our rivers, rich in wildlife. Hemp grows quickly producing crops once a year, unlike trees which take many years to grow to a usable size. Hemp uses minimal nutrients from the soil and hemps long roots arrate the soil, leaving it rich for future crops. Other nations grow hemp and import it to our great country. Considering the options for usage of hemp for farmers, the environmental and business implications, why can't we grow it here? We hereby urge federal legislators to distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana and legalize industrial hemp in the United States of America.