Pubdate: Sat, 08 Sep 2001
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Paul Miller
Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)
http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1606/a07.html

HEMP LAWS ONLY A SMOKE SCREEN

Regarding Doyle Purcell's Aug. 31 letter, "Hey dude! Do you wanna 
help me smoke my car?" it should be noted that not all cannabis is 
intoxicating.

The Australian developers who are attempting to develop 
cannabis-based automobile materials are using industrial hemp, which 
only has trace levels of THC.

Industrial hemp simply cannot be used for purposes of intoxication.

Mr. Purcell also should know that hemp currently is used for the 
production of some car parts.

Some Chrysler models include parts made with a Johnson Controls 
polymer that is 25 percent hemp.

All Mercedes models use fire-retardant blankets under the dash and 
inside the doors that are made from hemp.

The continued ban on industrial hemp cultivation in the United States 
only serves to highlight how ill-conceived our drug laws are in 
general.

Paul Miller
Woodbridge, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Josh