U.S. DRUG CZAR OPPOSES PLAN IN ILLINOIS TO EXPLORE INDUSTRIAL HEMP
DEVELOPMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois' efforts to develop hemp into an industrial
product might open the door to legalization of marijuana, the federal
government's drug czar warned Monday in a letter to the speaker of the
Illinois House.

"The federal government is concerned that hemp cultivation may be a
stalking-horse for the legalization of marijuana," said Barry R. McCaffrey,
director of the White House Office of National Drug Policy, in a letter
faxed Monday to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

Pending legislation would allow the exploration of the use of industrial
hemp to make clothing and other products.

Countered Stephanie Robbins, an aide to state Sen. Evelyn Bowles,
D-Edwardsville, "They have a vested interest in demonizing anything related
to this." Bowles is one of several Illinois lawmakers leading a push to
create an industrial hemp market.