A VIABLE, ALTERNATIVE BIO-FUEL IS RARELY MENTIONED

Isn't it strange that with all the talk over bio-fuels and ethanol,
the word hemp never seems to be mentioned? Here is a plant with
thousands of years history that produces over 25,000 different
products, including bio-fuel and ethanol. It is also good for the
soil. It has very deep roots that would regenerate the topsoil. In
New Guinea, topsoil is by the foot while here it is in inches. To
precious to be lost. Hemp has a miniscule amount of THC, which is in
marijuana.

A "joint" of hemp would have to be as big as a telephone pole to
equal that in a "joint" of cigarette-sized marijuana. My, oh my. This
reminds me of my cousin Dick and I behind my great uncle Ole's barn
trying to smoke corn silk.

Hemp is biodegradable. Plastic bags could be made from it that would
disappear after being discarded. Plastic is a general hazard in our
oceans and in our trash sites. If bio-fuel were spilled, it would not
be a hazard. It would simply be absorbed in the soil. It needs
carbon dioxide to grow so it is carbon neutral to the atmosphere.

Is it a magic bullet? No. But it would help to create a friendly
environment and give some relief from our petroleum crisis and not
raise the price of food as has happened with corn as an ethanol source.

Don Peterson, Nashville