SEPARATE HIPPIE AND HEMP

I am writing regarding the Aug. 24 article "Vote 'No' on Ballot Measure 5,
99Hemp." I have to question some of Wev Shea's points.

First, as far as a "gateway" drug, I have known of many occasional or even
everyday users of marijuana who don't touch cocaine. So 75 percent seems
drastically high to me. But you can make statistics say whatever you want
them to.

Second, that a single marijuana cigarette impairs an individual for more
than 24 hours: As an occasional smoker myself, I have never experienced a
"high" even close to that long. So I wonder about that one too.

As for Mr. Shea's remarks about the 18-year-olds, in my 18th year I was
training to fight for my country and not using marijuana. What was he
doing? The age of 18 brings a lot of choices and opportunities as well as
responsibility into one's life. This is America, remember. Land of the
free, home of the brave. Let us make our own decisions.

It's time we remove the "hippie" label from hemp and take advantage of all
hemp has to offer. Much more than just clothing as Mr. Shea implied. Just
visit a hemp store to see the hundreds of uses hemp has.

Please vote "yes" on Ballot Measure 5, 99Hemp.

- -- Anthony Radej