GOVERNOR CORRECT TO VETO INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL

Dear Editor,

On behalf of more than 70 substance abuse prevention and treatment
providers in Illinois, I would like to thank Gov. George Ryan for his
recent veto of SB 1397. This legislation would have allowed the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale to grow industrial hemp and to study the market for and
production potential of hemp as a viable agricultural product in
Illinois. The hope of this initiative is that this plant could eventually
be grown in rural communities across Illinois as a rotational crop, in
conjuction with corn and soybeans.

Regardless of the level of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis
sativa), research has shown that even minimal levels of THC can and do
produce a high, particularly in the first-time user and in young users.

Until everyone, community leaders, farmers, parents, business owners and
youth, comes together and begins to discuss the wide-reaching,
communitywide impact of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
and growing communitywide acceptance of "less dangerous" drugs, we will
continue to fight the rising cost of addiction. We commend the governor
for responding to the broader issue and the concerns of the substance abuse
prevention and treatment community.

Angela M. Bowman, CEO

Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association