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"Whether we or our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do." ~ Wendell Berry
VIHC News & Updates
A BIG  thank you to   Delegate Brenda Pogge  (R-96 th ) of James City and York County  for being our  champion f or the Commonwealth's  Hemp industry  as chief patron of  House Bill 699!  The  VIHC  has  worked with Delegate P ogge to draft House Bill 699 - the Virginia   hemp industry preparation act of  2016  -   which goes beyond just  University research, putting  Virginia in great position  for  creating new jobs and businesses  when Industrial Hemp  is finally once and for all  removed from  the federal Controlled Substances Act.  HB699 prepares the  proper legal  and regulatory  footing  for Virginia's farmers, processors, and businesses to proceed lawfully as soon as the Federal Government makes  further necessary reforms   through passage of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act  ( S.134  and  H.R. 525 ). 

HB699 Clarifies that it is lawful for a person with a VDACS license to manufacture industrial hemp products or engage in scientific, agricultural, or other research involving the applications of industrial hemp and that no person shall be prosecuted for the possession, cultivation, or manufacture of industrial hemp plant material or products. The current law authorizes the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt regulations necessary to license persons to grow industrial hemp or administer a research program. This bill requires the Board to adopt regulations as necessary to license persons to grow and process industrial hemp for any purpose and requires the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish a licensure program, with a maximum license fee of $250.

This is the first week of the 2016 General Assembly 2016 session. Please make an effort to CALL your State Delegate and ask for their support and sponsorship on HB699! A Senate companion bill is coming soon. Also don't forget to personally thank Delegate Brenda Pogge for her leadership on hemp!

General Assembly Building, Room 403  
Capitol Square  
Richmond, Virginia 23219  
(804) 698- 1096     email DelBPogge@house.virginia.gov  
 
Jason Amatucci and Jim Politis lobbying. '15

The  current edited version has details of giving timetables of  dates and 60 days max for  Va. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)  to process licenses so the farmers and businesses won't have delays. Also mandates VDACS to set up a renewal process with deadlines and makes the licenses good for two years. 

Read full  House  bill  699  text here HB699 has been referred to  the  Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee  

Meetings of the General Assembly are required by law to be open to the public. Citizen testimony in committee and subcommittee is encouraged. We invite all VIHC members to j oin us to speak on behalf of HB699  which we anticipate  being held sometime after VIHC's lobby day next Tuesday, January 19 th

Hemp Lobby Day 2015

The VIHC has  planned  our Hemp Lobby Day  to be held on   Tuesday, January 19th.  
We ask that you please consider joining us at the Capitol in Richmond next Tuesday.  
For more Information, please contact us direct at info@vahemp.org.

I f you cannot make it to Richmond?  YOU CAN STILL LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! 

Members of the General Assembly want and need citizen input when crafting laws. As a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is your right to voice your opinion regarding pending legislat ion. The Chief Patron of HB 699 , Delegate  Pogge (R-96 th ) has asked the Coalition to contact their legislators  on the Agriculture Committee  THIS MONTH  and request their support for  HB699  the Virginia  hemp industry preparation act of  2016 ;  through phone calls, letters, email, or through visits to their home and Richmond legislative offices.  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR THIS MONTH SO THAT THEY BECOME AWARE OF HB699 the Virginia hemp industry preparation act of 2016! 

STEP 1 Know who your Senator or Delegate is and how to contact them. If you don't know who represe nts you in the Virginia Legislature  you can find out by using Who's My Legislator.  Call their Richmond offices TODAY to set up a sit down meeting with your Delegate next Tuesday the 19th. These face to face meetings  are extremely constructive.  Make sure you understand the legislative process. Even the most basic understanding of the process will help you effectively express your ideas. If you need some lobbying documents and info packets to accompany you on your visit, please just send us a request at  info@vahemp.org.    

STEP 2 .   FW: SPREAD THE GOOD WORD    

Become a voice and beacon for  industrial  hemp to all your friends and family in other districts so that they can also try to set up face to face meetings, calls, or emails. Forward this email to a friend by clicking on the bottom of the email!  

Do you use Social Media? If  so, please just simply share VIHC  posts online during the GA session.   

I NVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN OUR GOFUNDME  CAMPAIGN TO LEGALIZE VIRGINIA HEMP:   https://www.gofundme.com/7mk3oc  

So what can you do to advance the Virginia  hemp industry preparation act of 2016  ( HB699 ) further this month? Simply,   

Call  your Va. Delegate  http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members  and Senator  http://apps.lis.virginia.gov/sfb1/Senate/EmailList.aspx , especially those on the Agriculture Committees  

Donate  to our cause to help offset our ever-growing advocacy expenses  https://www.gofundme.com/7mk3oc
   
Save the Date  and plan to join us in Richmo nd at the General Assembly next  week on  Tuesday, January 19 at 10AM to 4PM  RSVP TODAY via Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1080906031941127
     
Please  Share  our posts on Social Media and check out our website  http://www.vahemp.org
    
G et involved TODAY by calling or emailing us at info@vahemp.org
 
See You in Richmond! 


Upcoming Events

Join us in Richmo nd at the General Assembly next  week on  Tuesday, January 19 at 10AM to 4PM.
Virginia Industrial Hemp Coalition  
2663 Rockfish Valley Hwy, #396
Nellysford, VA 22958 
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