HEMP STANCE IS INSULTING

Jeanette McDougal's letter (on hemp) would be funny if it weren't so insulting.

Her prohibitionist stance declares that North Dakota's farmers are
falling prey to the vile manipulations of the insidious
"legalization movement." But McDougal's letter fails to offer any
facts countering the legitimate claims of farmers who can literally
watch their Canadian neighbors growing hemp and selling their harvest.

McDougal won't counter the benefits of hemp. She can't argue against
it being effective against root nematodes, that it requires less (to
no) herbicide and pesticide use (cost factors) and that almost all
parts of the plant have a use (seeds, leaves and stalks). She can't
say that all those hippies eager to weather North Dakota's mild
winters will overrun the state trying to hide their pot crops amidst
the hemp fields because cross pollination would ruin any quality
marijuana. She can't argue that the plant doesn't have a solid and
proud place in our country's agricultural history.

All McDougal and her prohibitionist organizations can do is wave the
red flag of fear and misinformation. I contend the market should be
the arbiter of a crop's worth and that North Dakota's farmers should
have free and unfettered access to the marketplace for any
crop they wish to invest their sweat and time in producing. That is
the essence of liberty in a nation built upon the farmers' bounty and toil.

Prohibition is antithetical to freedom.

ALLAN ERICKSON

Eugene, Ore.