Pubdate: Sun, 18 Mar 2001
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2001 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219
Fax: (217) 788-1551
Website: http://www.sj-r.com/
Author: Angela M. Bowman
Note: Angela M. Bowman is CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug 
Dependence Association

GOVERNOR CORRECT TO VETO INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL

Dear Editor,

On behalf of more than 70 substance abuse prevention and treatment 
providers in Illinois, I would like to thank Gov. George Ryan for his 
recent veto of SB 1397.  This legislation would have allowed the University 
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Southern Illinois University at 
Carbondale to grow industrial hemp and to study the market for and 
production potential of hemp as a viable agricultural product in 
Illinois.  The hope of this initiative is that this plant could eventually 
be grown in rural communities across Illinois as a rotational crop, in 
conjuction with corn and soybeans.

Regardless of the level of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis 
sativa), research has shown that even minimal levels of THC can and do 
produce a high, particularly in the first-time user and in young users.

Until everyone, community leaders, farmers, parents, business owners and 
youth, comes together and begins to discuss the wide-reaching, 
communitywide impact of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use 
and growing communitywide acceptance of "less dangerous" drugs, we will 
continue to fight the rising cost of addiction.  We commend the governor 
for responding to the broader issue and the concerns of the substance abuse 
prevention and treatment community.

Angela M. Bowman, CEO

Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association
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