Pubdate: Fri, 18 Feb 2005
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Clifton Ingram
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

HEMP CULTIVATION COULD  IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WNC

I have an issue that is very important to me and many other North 
Carolinians and is not represented whatsoever by mainstream Republicans or 
Democrats. This issue could be a key to ending protein deficiency-caused 
starvation, deforestation, funding starved schools, fatty acid-starved 
birds, overcrowded prisons, family disenfranchisement, prescription drug 
dependence, alcohol abuse, globalization, drug crime, tobacco-buyout 
frustration, textile mill inhalation, nuclear annihilation and even home 
fires. Cannabis is considered a controlled substance and has been since 
1937. I, and many other North Carolinians, want legalization policies 
brought to the table immediately. This plant has the potential to alleviate 
stress as well as lessen prison costs, freeing money for schools, reuniting 
families and ending the marijuana-based drug war. It is much safer than 
prescription drugs for eating, sleeping and sex, and far less dangerous 
than alcohol. Give the money/power/jobs back to landholding citizens and 
away from corporate executives. Let us grow outdoor hemp for edible protein 
packed with perfect omega three, six and nine ratio seeds (for the birds 
too) and hearty hurd from the stalks for biomass energy and pulp and paper. 
We must move towards sustainability, and cannabis seems to be the key for WNC.

Clifton Ingram,

Mars Hill 
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MAP posted-by: Beth