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 - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens