Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2008
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2008 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n534/a11.html
Author: Michael C. Limper

HEMP OPPONENTS IGNORE THE FACTS

Despite what opponents say, marijuana does not have to  be smoked to 
benefit from its therapeutic qualities. It  can be cooked and eaten. 
Many people with cancer,  multiple sclerosis, narcotic addictions and 
other  medical conditions can benefit from marijuana  consumption. 
("Marijuana group exploits the sick," May  27.)

Proponents aren't using propaganda. They are merely  stating the 
facts. It's law enforcement that thrives on  negative and mostly 
untrue propaganda.

Hemp has played an important role in this country. The  sails, ropes, 
rigging and sailor's clothing on the  Mayflower and many other early 
settlers' ships were  made of hemp. The Declaration of Independence 
was  written on hemp paper. Clean-burning fuel can be made  from 
hemp. Many nutritious foods come from the hemp  plant. The book "The 
Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack  Heror is full of facts.

George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, to  name a few, 
grew hemp. Before 1927, farmers were fined  if they didn't grow hemp.

The only reason it became illegal is because business  moguls such as 
William Randolph Hearst, the DuPonts and  big pharmaceutical 
companies successfully lobbied for  laws to make it that way. Why? 
They wanted to develop  things from petrochemicals. Plastics, fuel, 
fabrics, food, medicine and many other things can be made from  the 
hemp plant. None of those products made from hemp  harm or poison the 
environment, as do petrochemicals.

No one has been recorded as dying from smoking  marijuana. You can't 
say that about taking morphine,  cocaine, alcohol or even caffeine and aspirin.

I challenge anyone to find a negative fact about  marijuana use. I 
don't believe there is one.

Michael C. Limper

BRICK
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