LEGALIZE HEMP

It's ironic that the Drug Enforcement Agency wants to kill the hemp
legalization bill (story Aug. 28) co-authored by Chuck DeVore, R-
Irvine, and supported by lieutenant governor candidate Tom
McClintock, while admitting it can't stop marijuana cultivation on
federal lands (story Aug. 31).

The DEA should have better things to do than trying to kill a bill
that would allow California farmers to grow harmless industrial
plants. Hemp products such as candles, clothing and oils generate
$500 million a year in sales.

Currently, hemp growth isn't allowed in California because certain
interests (usually politicians or law enforcement unions) have
convinced the public that marijuana and hemp are synonymous. They've
accomplished this through invalid arguments.

These arguments include "Pot can be grown in hemp fields," and
"Legalizing hemp shows we're "soft on drugs." The truth: mixing pot
and hemp causes pot to lose its potency; hemp fields are subject to
search; China allows hemp cultivation without being "soft on
drugs" (they execute drug offenders).

It's unfortunate the DEA continues to use "reefer madness" arguments
in its attempts to fight this good bill for California, while not
doing its job protecting public land. Let Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
know you support this bill.

Jeff Crow, Fresno