Pubdate: Sat, 27 Apr 2002
Source: Racine Journal Times, The (WI)
Copyright: 2002, The Racine Journal Times
Contact:  http://www.journaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659
Author: Joe Adams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

HEMP UP ECONOMY

With a current $1.1 billion state deficit we are certainly in need of 
some type of fanatical boost. Not only is or state having budget 
problems but our whole country's economy is trying to climb its way 
out of slump.

Lets give the Wisconsin economy what it needs -- a boost with 
agricultural hemp.

That's right hemp, a market that is just in the virgin stage of 
growth is a multi billion dollar a year industry. Ironically 
Americans spend millions on all type of hemp products and yet none of 
it can be grown here. Let's pass some legislation that will legalize 
hemp and bring the money back home to Wisconsin.

A lot of people know about hemp rope and shirts but few know about 
the other hundreds of uses. For instance, hemp can be turned into 
biodegradable plastic, just imagine the possibilities. Hemp oil can 
also be turned into a miracle fuel that's biodegradable. Even better 
than that we (America) will no longer have to depend on other 
countries for our energy sources, and we'll take the money out of big 
oil producing countries and put into the pocket of our farmers. There 
is also a need for hemp paper. An acre of hemp can replace four acres 
of trees and it only takes hemp three months to grow not years. With 
new industries come new jobs. The possibilities of hemp are endless, 
we need to explore the full capabilities of this wonderful plant 
right here in Wisconsin.

Joe Adams

Kenosha
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MAP posted-by: Josh