By Katie Burke
I came across this proposition late Monday evening while reviewing my mail-in ballot. I didn’t realize this proposition existed. At first glance, my husband and I together said “yes!” Vote yes to prohibit stores from providing customers with single-use carryout plastic or paper bags, but permit the use of recycled paper bags and reusable bags.
I did have a pause in my thoughts and thank goodness for that moment of reflection. I saw myself running into Walmart with three kids in tow, exhausted from working all day, rushing through the aisles, and grabbing what we need for our house. I usually have a small amount of cash on me and use my debit card for the majority of purchases I make. At least once a month I’m the woman searching for my debit card only to find I forgot it in the pocket of my jeans I wore the day before. There are times I have just enough cash for what I need and times I need to put items back and return another day with my damn debit card. I honestly can’t fathom having to remember my reusable bags let alone having enough reusable bags for my order, or shelling out more money to purchase reusable bags. In fact, Walmart, effective immediately has began charging customers ten cents per bag. The reusable bags they are charging us for are not “reusable” bags. When I think of reusable bags I think, of the non woven tote bags. Walmart is charging us for plastic bags! Think of a bag you get from clothing stores for your purchases. Not exactly as flimsy as the regular grocery shopping bag but, for sure won’t last more than twice.
What will happen to the family that has more kids, needs more things, and has less money? Is it completely out of the realm of possibility that there may be families that don’t have extra money for reusable bags? What if they can only afford 5 reusable bags and are making a real effort but, need a few more bags for their items? What if they take the bus?! The thought of a family struggling to make ends meet, having to put back items they already can’t afford to pay in order to purchase reusable bags concerns me. I do realize there are many people reading this that may think I’m being overdramatic but, I would consider myself middle class and I live in an area where these concerns are very real to families. Which brings me to think of solutions… HEMP!
In 2014, President Obama made a provision to the 2014 farm bill that removed hemp grown for research purposes from the Controlled Substances Act, the main federal drug law. Now, fast forward to 2016. At least 30 states have passed legislation related to industrial hemp. At least 16 states have legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes and 20 states have passed laws allowing research and pilot programs. These changes in legislation will not only provide the U.S with some major solutions in regards to global warming and general environmental issues, they will also improve quality of life for farmers. Growing hemp provides four times the income to farming families. In 2014, South Dakota State University predicted U.S farmers to net $71 per acre with soy, a major crop, compared to the $250 per acre Canadian farmers netted with hemp. Hemp will allow small farmers to have a real option as businesspeople in the digital age.
I looked up hemp bags on-line as a simple search and well, it’s kind of crazy that the cost of hemp bags produced overseas is $.01. Let that marinate, please. A reusable bag or recycled bag is (on average) sold to us, the consumer, for $1.00. Plastic bags destroy the environment and cost three to five cents a piece to make. Hemp bags take 30 days to disintegrate cost a single penny! This thought triggered another thought as well, what’s less than a penny?! A hay penny?! I’ll conclude with this. Why should we, the middle and lower classes be forced to pay for reusable bags when stores can provide us with hemp made bags to replace the plastic bags? Wouldn’t it make more sense to not only produce the hemp we need to replace plastic products while at the same time putting money back into our farming communities here in the US.
