Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2000 Source: Omaha World-Herald (NE) Copyright: 2000 Omaha World-Herald Company. Contact: http://www.omaha.com/ Forum: http://chat.omaha.com/ Website: http://www.omaha.com/Omaha/OWH Author: Sue Dugan, executive director of PRIDE Omaha and is also an officer of Drug Watch International. HEMP IS MARIJUANA The call for legalized hemp ("Lawmaker Urges Legalization of Hemp," May 21) is very discouraging for those of us who are working day and night to prevent drugs from being acceptable to children. Hemp is marijuana. Both contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient that makes people high. Studies show that even 0.1 percent THC can produce a high. There is no way to visibly tell marijuana and hemp apart. Chemical analysis would be needed on each plant. The hemp issue is a cruel hoax on farmers. It is being promoted as an economic opportunity for unlimited markets. The truth is that there is a very small market for hemp products. The hemp plant is extremely costly to process. Hemp's core of support comes from wealthy drug pushers. As long ago as 1993, a writer in High Times magazine included the hemp issue as one of the key strategies for legalization of marijuana. But the real disaster of the hemp issue involves our children. Legalizing hemp marijuana would further legalize and normalize marijuana, a drug that is already too available and too acceptable to Nebraska kids. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk