GOV. RYAN VETOES BILL TO ALLOW THE STUDY OF HEMP AS A CASH CROP

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Opponents of the measure say legalizing hemp is a step
toward legalizing marijuana. The governor stopped a similar measure in
February.

For the second time, Gov. George Ryan has snuffed out efforts to make hemp
a legal cash crop in Illinois.

Ryan on Friday vetoed the latest version of a bill that would have
authorized the study of hemp, with the goal of eventually letting Illinois
farmers grow it legally. Ryan vetoed a similar bill in February.

Hemp can be used to make cloth and other materials. Some Illinois farmers
believe the fibrous plant could become a cheap, versatile crop for a
variety of industries.

But hemp is also a biological cousin of marijuana, with the same
hallucinogen, though in smaller amounts. Anti-drug activists have opposed
the bill, saying legalization of hemp could be a step toward legalizing
marijuana.

Ryan, in his written veto message, stressed that he believes the sponsors'
intent was honest. "(But) this legislation nonetheless plays into the
national strategy of groups seeking to remove existing criminal penalties
for cannabis/marijuana possession and use," Ryan wrote.

Gary Knecht, one of the leaders of a coalition of southwest Illinois
farmers who have been promoting the hemp proposal, noted that the bill's
focus was entirely on research.

"Everybody seemed to miss the point of the whole thing," Knecht said
Friday. "I find it disappointing that in today's world, we can be against
research. We're going backward."

The bill would have authorized the University of Illinois and Western
Illinois University to study the physical, economic and legal viability of
hemp as a cash crop. The earlier version of the bill, also vetoed by Ryan,
had included Southern Illinois University in the research.

It would take a three-fifths majority in the Legislature to overturn Ryan's
veto. Sponsors of the bill couldn't be reached for comment Friday.