Author: Jared Fallon

1. The founding fathers liked ganja

Dr. Burke of the American Historical Reference Society and consultant for the Smithsonian has found evidence to support the long standing claim that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, James Monroe, and Andrew Jackson all either smoked or grew grass on their plantations.

2. Utah was the first state to ban marijuana

Amidst rising cannabis use by regional Mormons the church declared “the use of marijuana contrary to the Mormon religion” in 1915 and paved the way for America’s current prohibition.

3. Pot is the US’ biggest cash crop

Since 2006 weed has been more valuable to its growers that wheat and corn combined. US Pot production has increased tenfold in the past 25 years as California has emerged as the heaviest hitter, accounting for nearly one third of total US production. This has caused some people to believe that the US smokes the most, which brings us to:

4. Australia is the highest country in the world

It is estimated that the Aussies spend nearly double on cannabis every year than they do on total wine consumption. The next best Jacob’s Creek formula? 33% Cabarnet Sauvignon, 33% Syrrah, and 34% Cannabis.

5. Pending US legislation exits to legalize reefer

There are currently two of Barney Frank’s (D-MA) proposals that US Rastafarians would greatly appreciate. H.R.5842 hopes to make marijuana easily accessible for medical use while H.R.5843 seeks to “eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use…” So far the H.R.5842 has a surprising 23 cosponsors while the more risky proposal stands at 10. Do either of these bills stand a chance? We’ll have to see how they endure their current status of being held in committee status.

AUTHOR: Crystal Fontaine

I would like to write one word: Agriculture. When one thinks of agriculture, images of tractors going five miles per hour down the road or illegal aliens working the fields may spring to mind. Agriculture is the unseen, straggling trade that works to produce the food items that we need and want as well as much more.

The bill SB 931 adapts specifications concerning the management of agricultural incentives and agendas. Under the act, the Qualified Beef tax credit and the Family Farm Breeding Livestock Loan tax credit will be subject to the reporting requirements in the Tax Credit Accountability Act for agriculture. The bill also states that any new or used machinery or equipment used for forestry products shall be exempt from local and state sales tax.

According to the bill, Missouri supports the idea of a voluntary animal identification program; however, it prohibits the Missouri Department of Agriculture from authorizing building registration under the U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Identification System program unless it is explicitly approved to do so. If theses conditions prove to disturb marketing of Missouri Livestock, the governor may just waive it all away. SB 931 states under sections 348.230-348.235 that the State of Missouri may pay the first years interest on any relevant deposit program loan for the acquisition of dairy cows. The section also describes any awards a dairy business planning grants may be given.

As people look to agriculture for their beef and other meats, they also see agriculture in the green light. What is greener than alternative energy sources, such as biomass? The bill creates an income tax credit for the costs of constructing property for alternative fuel and its users. These tax credits shall not exceed twenty percent of direct costs. Each year as taxes are claimed, the claims that may be made must not exceed $3,000,000 the first year and subsequently drop each year thereafter.

Under the law, qualified fuel ethanol manufacturers are eligible for monthly grants. SB 931 asserts that fuel ethanol may be produced from biomass that is qualified by the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (or MASBDA for short). Grant incentives awarded for fuel ethanol created from biomass are approved between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2019. Unfortunately, it only applies to two producers. Isn’t that just a drag?

The images of agriculture before were just the stereotypical of what one thinks farming is all about. However, times have called upon agriculture to spread its wings and provide ways to create a better environment. As the need for environmental protection increases, we may all look to our agricultural producers in a new light as they may pave the way to use our Earth as a renewable source of limitless energy. With this in mind, we must remember that laws concerning agriculture are important and agriculture itself is vitally important.