GLENDALE LAWMAKER SEEKS TO LEGALIZE INDUSTRIAL HEMP

One of Arizona's most conservative lawmakers is asking his colleagues
in the state Senate to legalize industrial uses of the marijuana
plant.

Sen. Darden Hamilton, R-Glendale, intends to introduce an amendment
today that would change a bill (SB1519) regarding the transportation
of groundwater to a measure that would legalize the industrial use of
hemp.

Grown for those purposes, hemp can be used to make such items as
paper, rope and clothing. But the plant is better recognized for the
version that is cultivated to be smoked.

Hamilton said hemp is far different from the plant grown for drug
use. It has fewer leaves and much less of the chemical that makes
smokers high, but many more of the fibrous stalks that make useful
products.

"There's absolutely no legitimate reason for that motion other than
for Senator Hamilton wanting to eventually legalize marijuana,"
Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley said. "Is he looking to buy his
next suit made of hemp?"