Polis, Wyden, Blumenauer, Massie Host Industrial Hemp Expo at U.S. Capitol

Press Release

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) today hosted an Industrial Hemp expo at the U.S. Capitol bringing together leading policymakers and entrepreneurs in the movement to restore industrial hemp to American agriculture. The expo, which drew more than 100 visitors, featured television personality Montel Williams and former CIA Director and Ambassador James Woolsey as keynote speakers, and showcased more than a dozen small businesses that make products utilizing industrial hemp.

"Visitors at today's expo saw firsthand the incredible economic opportunities we're depriving our nation by leaving in place the outdated ban on industrial hemp production," Polis said. "Hemp is renowned throughout the world for its versatility, which makes it highly sought after for use in fabric, construction material, biofuels, rope, paper, healthy foods, cosmetics, and thousands of other products. We need to pass the Industrial Hemp Farming Act so that America's farmers and innovators can finally start participating in this booming global industry, creating jobs for Americans and reducing prices for consumers."

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