Dr. Bonner's Magic Soaps Exec Stages Hemp Protest in D.C., Arrested

While you may know Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps as whimsically-labelled castile cleaners, the company imports more than 20 tons of hemp oil a year from Canada. Due to current drug laws, hemp cannot be cultivated domestically for agricultural use — despite the fact that its low THC content renders it unusable for medical or recreational drug purposes.

David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, publicly processed and pressed 10 hemp plants for their oil within view of the White House. Bronner wanted to place a friendly beer bet with President Obama that the plants had as much drug value as poppy seeds on a bagel, theweedblog.com reported.

Bronner, who is affiliated with he pro-pot organization Vote Hemp, was arrested by Washington D.C. police. Vote Hemp sued the DEA in federal court in 2010 to allow domestic production of industrial hemp. They prevailed, but hemp production was never authorized. After seven months, they received the following platitude from the Office of Drug Control Policy:

America’s farmers deserve our Nation’s help and support to ensure rural America’s prosperity and vitality. Federal law prohibits human consumption, distribution, and possession of Schedule I controlled substances. Hemp and marijuana are part of the same species of cannabis plant. While most of the THC in cannabis plants is concentrated in the marijuana, all parts of the plant, including hemp, can contain THC, a Schedule I controlled substance. The administration will continue looking for innovative ways to support farmers across the country while balancing the need to protect public health and safety.

Over a hundred thousand dollars of hemp oil is imported into the US each year because of the laws. As a state senator in Illinois, President Obama voted for hemp cultivation twice.