Health News with Steven and Mady - "The Hemp Revolution: History, Health, and the Fight for Legality"

Hemp's story reads like a political thriller, complete with corporate conspiracies, government cover-ups, and a modern-day governor fighting to restore an ancient plant's rightful place in American agriculture and medicine. Steven and Mady Killfoil take us deep into this fascinating saga, revealing how hemp went from powering colonial America to becoming the target of one of history's most successful propaganda campaigns.

We explore hemp's incredible historical significance, from the hemp ropes that carried Columbus to the New World to the hemp paper that bore our Constitution's sacred words. You'll discover how George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated this versatile crop, and why early American farmers faced legal requirements to grow it. Then we dive into the dark turn of 1937, when powerful industrial interests led by media mogul William Randolph Hearst orchestrated hemp's prohibition through fear-mongering and racial prejudice, protecting their cotton, paper, and chemical empire profits at the expense of farmers and consumers.

The conversation shifts to hemp's modern renaissance, examining the mounting scientific evidence supporting CBD's therapeutic benefits for anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, and inflammation. We analyze the current legislative battleground in Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott has taken a surprising stand supporting hemp legality against pharmaceutical industry pressure and conservative opposition. Stephen and Maddie share crucial consumer guidance for navigating the CBD marketplace safely, emphasizing quality testing standards and the importance of supporting reputable manufacturers over big box retailers peddling potentially contaminated products.

Subscribe to Cross Roads Podcast Health News with Steven and Mady for more investigations into natural health politics and pharmaceutical industry influence. Share this episode with anyone interested in agricultural freedom, natural medicine, or Texas politics.

Chapters

• 0:00 Health News Introduction and Hemp Overview
• 2:30 Hemp's Historical Roots in America
• 3:30 1937 Ban and Corporate Conspiracy
• 5:18 Hemp Health Benefits and CBD
• 6:59 Texas Legislation and Governor Abbott's Stance
• 12:13 Consumer Safety and Product Quality
• 17:03 Local Announcements and Episode Wrap-Up

Transcript

Steven Killfoil: 0:04

Crossroads.

Steven Killfoil: 0:05

Podcast. We'll be right back For those who want to be in the know. Who's your daddy? Good morning Crossroads. Welcome back to Health News with Steven and Mady, where we explore the truths behind natural health legislation and the future of wellness. I'm Steven Killfoil.

Mady Killfoil: 1:21

And

Steven Killfoil: 1:45

That's right. Battles, including the role of Governor Abbott and Texas legislation that's right. Hemp has been the center of some of the most fascinating political and health debates in American history. Today, we'll cover how hemp went from being a staple crop to a banned plant, the industries that pushed it out, the health benefits, especially CBD, and what's happening right now in the Texas legislature.

Mady Killfoil: 2:13

And let's just say, governor Greg Abbott has taken a firm stance on this and it's surprised a few folks. But first let's roll it back and talk about where it all began.

Steven Killfoil: 2:30

So hemp's history goes back thousands of years. It was one of the first plants to be domesticated by humans, used for rope, clothing, sails, even paper. In fact, the sails and ropes of Columbus's ships made from hemp. Our very own Constitution of the United States of America was written on hemp paper.

Mady Killfoil: 2:56

Yes, oh well, I didn't know that. And get this. Early American farmers were required by law to grow hemp. In the 1600s, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both cultivated hemp. It was that valuable.

Steven Killfoil: 3:17

But by the 1930s, everything changed, everything changed. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively made hemp illegal in the United States, despite the fact that hemp and marijuana are different in terms of THC levels.

Mady Killfoil: 3:38

And why was that? Well, it wasn't about public health, it was about competition. The cotton industry, paper manufacturers and chemical companies saw hemp as a massive threat. It was strong, sustainable and cheap.

Steven Killfoil: 3:58

Yes, and so they lobbied hard. So they lobbied hard. Big players like William Randolph Hearst, who owned newspapers and timber operations, helped fuel a propaganda campaign. They demonized hemp by associating it with marijuana, using racial fear-mongering and fake science. And doesn't that sound familiar science? And doesn't that sound familiar? We see this more often now, especially over the last eight years or so in our own government. Lies, lies, lies, and this is how these corrupt individuals that have lots of money and power manage to push through crap on us poor people in the United States. But no more, we're wising up, we're educating ourselves and we're not going to be fooled by them. Stupid lies much longer.

Mady Killfoil: 4:57

Well, the advantage is that we have a very smart Republican president and a smart individual that's running the health system, so we can only hope. Fast forward to modern times and we know now better. Ham is back in the spotlight, not just as a textile or eco-friendly product, but for its health benefits, especially CBD oil.

Steven Killfoil: 5:30

Yes, hemp seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein and fiber. They're great for heart health, digestion and skin, and you can put them on a salad right along with your pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds or sunflower seeds. They're all good for you. So I don't know what the big deal is, but I'm telling you, hemp, I think, is going to be here to stay.

Mady Killfoil: 5:57

Well, I'm guessing that the pharmaceutical industry, big pharma, has something against it and it's fighting it tooth and nails. And then there's CBD extracted from hemp. And then there's CBD extracted from hemp. Unlike THC, it won't get you high, but it has shown amazing promises for things like reducing anxiety and stress, managing chronic pain, improving sleep.

Mady Killfoil: 6:32

Alleviating seizures, especially in epilepsy. Reducing inflammation.

Steven Killfoil: 6:33

Yes, people with arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines and even pets with anxiety are turning to CBD oil. The science is stacking up in favor of hemp as a safe natural tool for wellness. As a safe natural tool for wellness.

Mady Killfoil: 6:51

Now let's talk about Texas, where hemp and CBD are in a bit of a legislative tug-of-war.

Steven Killfoil: 6:59

Absolutely, and it's really sad that our lieutenant governor is so adamant about trying to make it illegal.

Steven Killfoil: 7:08

It makes me wonder if he's in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical companies

Mady Killfoil: 7:12

I respected him until now,

Steven Killfoil: 7:14

Yeah, up until when he made this decision.

Steven Killfoil: 7:16

It's like no, that's really illogical, but anyway. So in 2019, texas legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp and cbd products under the texas house bill 13. This alleged with the federal 2018 Farm Bill. In an article by the Texas Tribune dated April 23, 2019, by Alex Samuels, titled Texas House Votes to Legalize the Farming of Industrial Hemp. He states quote of industrial hemp. He states, quote Hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant, but it contains low levels of the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC. The House's bill will now go to the Senate.

Steven Killfoil: 8:04

The Texas House gave broad preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill that would allow farmers in the state to legally grow industrial hemp, a move lauded as a win for the state's farmers. Hemp, which is a cousin of marijuana plant but contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabole, the psychoactive element in marijuana known as THC. While hemp-based products that contain no THC, like clothing, twine, protein powder, moisturizers and essential oils, are legal in the state, the plant cannot be legally grown here and Texas businesses often have to source it from other states. There's absolutely no good reason for Texas farmers and ranchers not to have hemp as a crop option, said Gene Hall, a spokesman for the Texas Farm Bureau. I suspect a lot of farmers will choose this option once it's available. It is a drought-tolerant crop and can be grown anywhere where cropping is prevalent right now.

Steven Killfoil: 9:16

House Bill 1325 from State Representative Tracy King, democrat from Batesville, would also legalize hemp and hemp derived extracts, like CBD oil, as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Should King's bill become law, marijuana would still be illegal. King's bill would also remove hemp from the state's controlled substance list, where it is still listed as a criminal substance, and set up farming program outlining guidelines for cultivating the plant. House Bill 1325 is right-to-farm legislation that will allow Texas farmers the opportunity to cultivate a drought-resistant cash crop, that being hemp. King told other House members On an update. House Bill 1325 reached its final unanimous approval in the House on Wednesday and now it stands to the Senate.

Steven Killfoil: 10:38

More than 40 other states have legalized hemp production, but bills to do so in Texas have failed in past legislative sessions. King previously said he was optimistic about his bill's passage because Congress passed the Farm Bill last year, legalizing hemp that contains no more than 0.3% THC at the federal level.

Mady Killfoil: 10:46

But earlier this year, some lawmakers starting pushing back arguing that CBD, delta 8, THC and other hemp-derived products were creating a loophole for legal highs. They wanted to restrict or ban these items.

Steven Killfoil: 11:03

That's when Governor Greg Abbott stepped in. He's been firmly in support of keeping hemp legal. Been firmly in support of keeping hemp legal. His reasoning he sees the hemp industry as a legitimate market that's helping small businesses, farmers and consumers.

Mady Killfoil: 11:20

He also pointed out that many Texans use these products responsibly for health and wellness. Shutting down the industry would hurt thousands of people and potentially lead to a black market.

Steven Killfoil: 11:35

Plus Abbott recognizes that hemp is not marijuana. It's federally legal, it's regulated and Texans have a right to choose natural wellness tools like CBD oil Natural wellness- tools like CBD oil.

Mady Killfoil: 11:51

So, as of now, governor Abbott continues to support keeping hemp and its derivatives legal, even as some lawmakers continue to push for tighter restrictions.

Steven Killfoil: 12:05

Yeah, and I want to add to that. So when they make up their mind and decide to do what they're going to do, it's going to be a positive in the right direction. First of all, it'll allow farmers an optional crop to produce. We'll be able to produce paper, clothing, rope, twine all kinds of different products from that crop, all kinds of different products from that crop. And it'll really put a kibosh on the drug dealers who make millions of dollars in sales selling marijuana. When hemp is made legal and all the derivatives of the medicinal value are discovered and sold over the counter legally, then you're going to really put a bite. I mean talk about a win for the supposed drug war that we're not winning. This would be definitely one of them, and it has the same health benefits.

Steven Killfoil: 13:08

Absolutely.

Mady Killfoil: 13:09

Helping a lot of people.

Steven Killfoil: 13:10

Yes, so where does this all go from here? Honestly, public education is key. The more people understand that hemp is not a dangerous drug but a powerful plant with nutritional and medicinal value, the better chance we have of protecting access. The Native American Indians have been using it for centuries. It's not an unknown thing, and they have a whole lot more medicinal things that they do with it besides what we use and have discovered, and we owe them a great deal of credit for the discovery of those things.

Mady Killfoil: 13:52

Again, big pharma is against everything that's natural that God put on this earth for us, for healing. So this is why they are pushing back so hard. So we also need to keep an eye on state-level legislation. The fight isn't over. Advocates, voters and business owners must keep pushing back against misinformation.

Steven Killfoil: 14:21

Yes, and on the consumer side, do your research. Buy from reputable CBD brands, ask for lab results, support local Texasas hemp farmers when you can. It's very important. You don't want to go out and buy just any old thing, products like from walmart or even cvs or walgreens, because you don't know one where those companies manufacture and where they got their ingredients from. You don't know what their manufacturing practices are. You need to ask.

Steven Killfoil: 15:00

If you consult with Nature's Sunshine, for example, you call them up. They will give you all the information that they have on where they source from, their good manufacturing practices and they do an extensive test on all their herbal supplements up to 600, including radiation. If the batch of herbs fails any one test, they reject the whole batch and will not put it in their product. So you want to find companies that have as high a standard like nature's sunshine, and there are. There are many of them out there. But call them, ask them, find out. Hey, where do you get these from? What country? What are their farming practices? Are they healthy? Are they contaminated with poison?

Steven Killfoil: 15:53

you know you must ask

Mady Killfoil: 15:55

for radiation

Steven Killfoil: 15:56

or radiation, yeah,

Mady Killfoil: 15:57

any kind of pollutions like insecticides or pesticides, whatever, and don't go for the lowest price

Steven Killfoil: 16:06

, because that you get what my grandma used to say this, and my grandfather too you get what you pay for.

Steven Killfoil: 16:14

So if you think, if you're going to go trot down and I hate to pick on Walmart, but I'm going to you go down to Walmart and you pick up a multivitamin and go oh wow, I can get that for eight bucks. All right, chances are that vitamin probably is full of crap and you can check it out for yourself. Do your research, do your research. Do your research. I'm not saying, yeah, go out and spend $95 on a multivitamin either. Do your research. Always ask, look up the companies, go, call them. Hey, if they're on the level and they're on board and they're proud of their stuff, they will share it with you, that information, and if you feel comfortable, then you can make an educated choice of whether to buy from them or not.

Mady Killfoil: 17:02

Of course, so, from ancient rope to modern day, cbd oil hemp has come full circle. Hemp has come full circle and we are not going to let history repeat itself with another ban based on greed and misinformation.

Steven Killfoil: 17:18

You said it Well. Thanks for tuning in to Health News with Steven and Mady. If you enjoyed today's episode, share it with a friend, subscribe. Subscribe, drop us a review, email us at crossroadspodcast2023@ gmail. com. Don't forget to go to Amazon and buy the book Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition by Stefan McDermott, or order it right off his website, www. stefanmcdermott. com.

Steven Killfoil: 17:56

Now for some announcements in and around town. Planning and Zoning are having their meeting this Tuesday, august 5th, at 6 pm. Regular town council meeting was canceled for Monday today. Don't forget to stop by the Summer Market. Saturday, august 9th, from 8 am to 12 noon. Our neighbors up in Pilot Point have an exercise class at the Community Center at 10 am this morning On Tuesday, august 5th, at the Community Center at 9 30 am there will be a veterans breakfast and a game day. Then in the evening, hop on over to the coffee house with jemerson and jam sessions from 6 pm to 9 pm. Wednesday morning, august 6th, star bright is holding free family music classes at 10 am, right right there on the square in Pilot Point. Later that night go over to Lowbrow Saloon for some karaoke at 7 pm. Also on Wednesday evenings at the Pilot Point Coffeehouse 25% off all wine by glass or bottle.

Mady Killfoil: 19:07

Until next time, stay informed, stay curious and stay natural.

Steven Killfoil: 19:14

Stay tuned in next week for more amazing news and guests. We'll see you at the top.

Mady Killfoil: 19:21

Bye-bye

Steven Killfoil: 19:21

, bye-bye, crossroads Podcast. We'll be right back, but those who want to be it know who's your daddy.