On an unforgettable day in November 2012, a handful of activists met to reconsider cannabis related ballot initiatives in Ohio. They saw a new path forward in the framework of the defunct Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment, but something was missing. Then, one of them rose and proclaimed one word, Hemp! He penned his inspiration into “the right to produce and sell non psychoactive Cannabis, also known as hemp, for industrial use including, but not limited to, paper, fuel, foods, building materials and clothing.”
That was a game changing moment for what is now the Ohio Rights Group and its quest to place the Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment on the ballot. The addition of hemp – really the reunification of the whole Cannabis plant – expanded the team of supporters to include farmers, manufacturers, distributors and environmentalists alike. This is because hemp can be used to make almost anything that is currently comprised of cotton, timber or petroleum, and do so in an earth friendly way. From biodegradable plastics, to biomass energy, to food and beverages, to hygiene products and to medicine, paper and textiles, hemp is truly one plant with many uses.