REVIVING THE GOOD SIDE OF THE HEMP INDUSTRY

REVIVING THE GOOD SIDE OF THE HEMP INDUSTRY

It seems there are two sides to the hemp industry: the good side and the bad side. Unfortunately, because of the bad side, the good side has also been effectively shut down. The ban extends beyond the harmful use of cannabis to all forms of hemp-related products, even though many of them are perfectly legal and beneficial.

The good side of hemp includes a wide range of applications. Hemp is a versatile plant used to produce textiles, clothing, paper, construction materials, food, drinks, health and beauty products, fuels, ropes, and nets. It’s an incredibly sustainable crop, offering environmental benefits like soil improvement and carbon sequestration. Despite its potential, hemp cultivation remains prohibited in the Philippines due to its association with marijuana.

While marijuana is a banned substance in many countries, it has been legalized for recreational use in some places and for medical purposes in others. Both hemp and marijuana come from the Cannabis sativa plant, but the difference lies in the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content. Hemp contains very low levels of THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. However, the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 (Republic Act No. 6425) does not differentiate between the two, classifying all forms of cannabis as illegal.

Is this a classic case of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”? By banning the entire cannabis plant, we are also eliminating industries that could provide significant economic opportunities. A large portion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cottage industries could benefit from hemp cultivation and processing, creating jobs and fostering rural development.

The real problem is the difficulty of regulating the plant. Without stringent controls, the risk of harvested hemp being diverted for illegal purposes remains. But surely, there are ways to address this.

A Call for Controlled Hemp Zones

One suggestion is to establish specialized economic zones where hemp cultivation is strictly monitored. In these zones, hemp could be grown and processed in regulated environments, ensuring every harvest is accounted for. This strategy would minimize the risk of illegal diversion while supporting legitimate businesses.

Forming a Technical Working Group

The Department of Agriculture (DA) should lead the way in creating a Technical Working Group (TWG) to study the feasibility of reviving the hemp industry. This TWG could include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and academic institutions like the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Through collaborative research and pilot projects, the TWG could assess how to balance the economic benefits of hemp production with effective regulatory measures. Lessons could be learned from countries like the United States and Canada, where hemp is legally grown under clear guidelines.

Alternative Uses and Environmental Benefits

In addition to economic potential, hemp presents numerous environmental benefits. Hemp is known for its ability to restore degraded soil and requires minimal pesticide use. It also absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Furthermore, researchers are exploring the potential of hemp as a sustainable alternative for construction materials like hempcrete, which is durable, energy-efficient, and carbon-negative.

Moving Forward

Revisiting the hemp ban does not mean endorsing marijuana use. It simply means recognizing the plant’s diverse applications and regulating its cultivation for industrial purposes. There is no doubt that strict regulations and law enforcement are necessary. However, with careful planning, the good side of the hemp industry can be revived without compromising public safety.

If you have thoughts on how we can achieve this balance, I’d love to hear from you. After all, finding solutions together is how we can ensure sustainable progress for our industries and communities.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

05-12-2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES? When we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, we often assume that the figures we see are accurate reflections of reality. But have we ever paused to ask—how exactly is the crime rate computed? Where does this data come from, and how reliable is it? The computation of the crime rate in the Philippines is officially handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The formula itself is straightforward: Crime Rate = (Total Reported Crimes / Total Population) x 100,000 This simple equation gives us the number of crimes per 100,000 people, allowing for fair comparison across regions and time periods. However, the reality behind these numbers is more complex than it appears. Data from the Ground The foundation of our national crime rate is empirical data collected at the grassroots level—from individual police stations scattered across the country. Every reported crime is logged in local police blotters, forming the buil...
Read more

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS Dear Mr. President: May I ask who is going to be the arbiter or referee whenever there are overlaps in functions between two or more government agencies? I imagine that there would be no problem if these agencies would just cooperate and collaborate with each other, but what if they are unable to settle their differences and they would just end up throwing blame at each other or finger pointing at each other? Allow me to cite some examples. Who is supposed to take the lead in waste to energy projects? Is it supposed to be the DENR that is supposed to handle waste? Or is it supposed to be the DOE that is supposed to handle energy generation? Or is it supposed to be the DILG since it is the one that could direct or influence the waste to energy projects of LGUs? Who is supposed to take the lead in producing and promoting the use of biofuels? Is it supposed to be the DA, since the production of biofuels is supposed to be all about planting biofuel ...
Read more

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES As it is supposed to be, anyone in the Philippines should be able to dial 911, and a telephone operator should be able to dispatch fire, rescue, ambulance and police (FRAP) units as soon as possible, based on acceptable response times. I invented the FRAP acronym for easy recall, and I hope it sticks, if there is no other alternative. Unfortunately, due to a mixture of technical and political reasons, the Philippines has not adopted 911 as a national number, because some LGUs would rather use their own three-digit numbers such as 117 and 168. I actually proposed a technical solution to that problem, but it was not adopted either. For whatever it is worth, my solution is to install a call forwarding system that could route all calls to a central operator, regardless of what number is dialed. It is very sad for me to know that up to now, even if our country is already over one hundred years old, there are still many LGUs that do not have fire trucks. it ...
Read more