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Hemp: an Oregon cash crop? Photos from AP Keira Hummingbird sews a hemp zipper pocket for World Roots, the cottage industry she co-owns in Williams. Supporters of a bill before the Legislature hope so By BARTIE LANCASTER The Associated Press WILLIAMS -- Nestled in the woods, Ethan and Keira Hummingbird operate a cottage industry in a one-room cabin where they create and sell hemp clothing, bags and accessories. Two industrial leather sewing machines used to craft sturdy clothing and backpacks line the cramped room, and large rolls of hemp fabric hang from the walls. The rest of the building is filled with hemp items for sale. A friend helped the couple set up to make clothes, backpacks, pouches and wallets about two years ago. But getting enough hemp can be difficult because importers are few. Hemp pouches are durable and distinctive . Finding a high-quality hemp fabric is also a chore. Though heavily processed fabric from China is fairly easy to get, it is not suitable for clothing, the Hummingbirds said. They buy their cloth in bulk from U.S. hemp dealers who import it from Eastern Europe, mainly from Poland and Hungary. "It sure would be nice to be able to purchase it locally and put the money back into our community," Keira Hummingbird said. While the sale of hemp products has become widespread nationwide, growing hemp remains illegal in most states -- including Oregon. A bill currently before the Oregon Legislature seeks to legalize industrial growth of hemp, subject to licensing and inspection by state agriculture officials. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, stipulates a $2,500 fine for growing it without a license. `A lot of states are beginning to realize that just because it's Cannabis sativa doesn't mean its psychoactive. It's so ludicrous not to make use of it," Ethan Hummingbird said. Both hemp and marijuana are derived from the cannabis plant. Marijuana contains typically 3 to 15 percent THC -- the psychoactive element of the plant, whereas hemp contains 1 percent or less, Prozanski said. "I always tell people we are talking about rope, not dope," he added. While proponents of Oregon's hemp bill see an untapped cash crop, skeptics fear that hemp fields could not be distinguished from illegal marijuana plants. A hemp field could serve as a fortress for a marijuana field inside, said Rep. Larry Wells, R-Jefferson, chairman of the Agricultural and Forestry Committee. Prozanski said Oregon has a good climate for growing hemp. "We are looking at an area that is ready to boom," Prozanski said. "Oregon is in a great place to be leader in production." Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA