VENTURA SENDS LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON ON HEMP

Gov. Jesse Ventura is taking his push to allow farmers to grow hemp all the
way to President Clinton. Ventura sent a letter to Clinton late Thursday,
outlining his plan to implement pro-hemp state legislation enacted last
spring.

" Given the success we have seen in Canada and the continuing economic
challenges Minnesota farmers face, I am anxious to move forward, " Ventura
wrote.

He also announced plans for a state-sponsored informational seminar to
teach farmers how to apply for state and federal permits to grow hemp.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Trade and Economic
Development Commissioner Jerry Carlson will co-host the Nov. 19 event.

Hemp is a close relative of marijuana, but is not strong enough to be used
as a recreational drug.

Ventura also contacted federal drug authorities Thursday to ask for their
cooperation. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has strongly opposed
legalizing hemp production.

Food- and fiber-producing hemp and smokable marijuana are nearly
indistinguishable varieties of the same Cannabis plant, differing only in
their content of the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Ventura' s letter proposes that farmers apply for permits through the state
Board of Pharmacy and the DEA. Rules for cultivation would be set by the DEA.

Tim McCormick, head of the DEA' s Minneapolis office, said the policy had
not changed, but that the agency was " seriously looking at it right now."

Pro-hemp laws were enacted this year in Minnesota, Hawaii and North Dakota.

Hemp seeds produce an oil that can be used to make tofu, butter, cheese,
salad oils and other foods. Hemp fiber can be used to make clothing, ropes,
paper, particleboard products and more.

McCormick said the DEA probably would require farmers to post bonds of up
to $1, 000 an acre to pay for government seizure and burning of hemp that
crosses a THC threshold of about 0.3 percent.