MORE BENEFITS OF HEMP

Thanks to Thom Marshall for championing the benefits of hemp in his
Dec. 22 column, "Cannabis was once held in high esteem."

The wonders of hemp are so obvious that the only explanation for its
suppression is that many companies would lose vast amounts of money if
it became legal.

Corporations must spend thousands lobbying politicians to keep this
wonder weed out of the hands of law-abiding farmers and horticulturists.

But why stop with hemp?

In Houston, one of the most conservative cities in the nation, we
should also create a state testing ground for the decriminalization of
marijuana.

Houstonians resent any government intrusion in their lives -- even if
it might make their air cleaner -- and would welcome an institution
that would limit Big Brother's authority in telling us what we can or
can't put in our bodies.

Jail space could be created for those violent predators who belong
behind bars, and money would be saved by waiving the prosecution of
marijuana cases.

Our neighborhoods would become safer.

David Taylor, Houston