I am writing in support of Industrial Hemp Agriculture, which has finally been reauthorized by the US Government.

While 10's of 1,000's of Commercial products can be made utilizing this one plant.
I believe the greatest chance to become Commercially viable is if the US Government invested in utilizing it as the main source of Fuel for the Military. The US Government could become the largest consumer by substituting its current Fuels through supplying the Airforce with Hemp-based Aviation fuel, as well as supplying our Naval Fleets & Ground transportation vehicles with Hemp-based Biodiesel.

Throughout the manufacturing supply-chain, an extreme number of parts are made of durable plastics.

Commercialization of Hemp-based Bioplastics is the future given its durability as well as being bio-degradable after its disposal.

Coal and oil have played a crucial role in humanity’s progress, but continued use of fossil fuels could also lead to humanity’s demise due to many associated problems – pollution, climate change and resource wars to name a few. The main issue these days isn’t so much about fossil fuels running out, but the damage they are wreaking on our planet.

If we were to reexamine History, we would find that the introduction of the "10 x Stronger Than Steel In The 1940’s: Henry Ford’s HEMP Car" was doomed by the creation of Petroleum-based plastics made by Dupont.

Henry Ford spent more than a decade researching and building his Model-T car which was not only constructed from hemp but was also designed to run off hemp bio-fuel.
All plastic is created by using the waste byproduct of Petroleum. Every single molecule of plastic ever created still exists and shall continue to exist for 1,000's of years into our future. It fills our waterways and oceans to such a degree that it is destroying our ecosystem. Its time to cease this madness, especially when there is a viable alternative replacement. The reason it is not put into greater use is solely based upon the scale of production and the related costs.

If the US Government were involved in large scale production, the cost would be reduced dramatically.

The creation of Bio-Aviation Fuel, Biodiesel and Bioplastics would result in the entire naturally-grown plant being completely utilized with no waste. In conjunction with the Jobs created in the Agricultural sector and Manufacturing sector, growing Hemp improves our environment. It replaces trees as the source of raw material for wood and paper, thereby conserving forests. Trees take years to grow, while a crop of hemp can be grown in a few months. Only one acre of hemp can produce as much paper annually as 4 acres of trees.
This quick growth avoids the build-up of carbon dioxide. Also, hemp is a very leafy plant and thus contributes to a high level of oxygen to the atmosphere during its growth; between 20 and 40%. This makes up for the loss of oxygen when it is burnt as a fuel, which in turn, reduces unwanted effects of global warming, acid rain and the depletion in the ozone layer on the environment.

So, in conclusion of my remarks, I am hopeful I have related the importance of Industrial Hemp farming both Commercially and Socially. Like most new Industries, the ability to reduce the cost is through large scale production which the US Government could provide if the invested in the industries growth potential by increasing the demand by utilizing the many products throughout the entire Department of Defense contracts. If as I have presented the facts, the US Government became the largest consumer, the cost would be reduced for the other 10's of 1,000's of Domestic Businesses to afford increased growth in their manufacturing capabilities.

Thank you for considering my views on this important topic.

Richard Tyll
Montana