Pubdate: Wed, 06 Dec 2000
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2000 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219
Fax: (217) 788-1551
Website: http://www.sj-r.com/
Author: Jeff Anderson

SEES NO HARM IN BILL TO STUDY HEMP PRODUCTION

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to an article in the Nov. 15 edition titled, 
"Anti-drug activists blast hemp-study bill."  I am in favor of Bill 1397 
that would let Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois 
study the possibility of farmers growing hemp as a cash crop.

I think there is no harm involved in this, and that the Illinois Drug 
Education Alliance's standpoint that this is a "foothold strategy" so that 
marijuana or other drugs will be legalized is completely absurd. This is 
obviously purely a scientific study for the feasability of growing it and 
it is not legalizing the use of hemp as a drug.

I hope that this bill eventually will pass the House because I think it is 
i good idea for another source of income for farmers whose crop may be 
struggling.

Jeff Anderson, Rochester High School student
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