DOPE GOOD, PAUL BAD

In response to Paul Jenkins' article (Voice of the Times) printed June 22, I
would like to say that I am appalled at the fact that you would run such a
one-sided article about the 99Hemp ballot measure. You did not report any
positive information about marijuana. You seem concerned about the
government making money, and you seemed concerned about children. You seemed
concerned in the totally wrong way, and not as an informed parent.

Please don't mislead the public. I am the mother of a 22-year-old son. My
son was given Ritalin by our family doctor for treatment of ADHD (attention
deficit hyperactive disorder) at the age of 16. At the age of 17 he
developed Ritalin-induced epilepsy. Now, five years later, he takes depakote
daily to help control his seizures. Now finding out the true facts about
marijuana medical benefits, I wish I was given the option of choosing
between what I consider a God-given gift or man-made chemicals, for his
treatment. Not to mention I just this week watched a special news report
that stated that babies were dying from soy-based products, and many
formulas are soy-based. The meat of the seed of the marijuana plant has six
grams of protein per one-half-ounce serving, and contains Omega 3 and Omega
6 essential fatty acids. This is healthier for the human body than soy
products.

Many, many products can be made from every part of this plant. (Yes, hemp,
cannabis and marijuana are all considered the same plant, only the leaves
and the flowering tops are the "marijuana" part). There are many other parts
of this plant that we should include, as marijuana is the fastest producing
plant in the land. It can be used for toxic free fuel and fiber, from
insulation to carpet to clothing, for building materials, for food.

Stop watching the world die, feed it. Everyone talks about saving the
children, saving the planet, and this is our best hope. Stop cutting down
trees. Replenish the Earth as quickly as possible. Plant hemp or the hole in
our ozone will continue to grow, our children to die, and our total
existence eventually wither. If you are looking at the money aspect of it,
who is to lose? The government, the legal system, our doctors and their
homemade remedies, often deadly, or we the people. By the way, our American
Constitution is written on hemp paper. To not re-legalize hemp really makes
dopes of us all.

T. D. Haws, Palmer