MARIJUANA PROMOTES JOBS, BOOSTS ECONOMY

Quick. What agricultural product is a multi-million dollar business,
does not receive any subsidies but instead provides much-needed
revenue to the state, employs hundreds of people and is a sustainable industry?

Cannabis of course, so why is the Legislature so intent on gutting
this business especially when their mantra is jobs, jobs. Since we
sanction products that are actually harmful, like alcohol, it can't
be concern for people. Since it cuts law enforcement costs, that
can't be it either. The evidence that it is harmful is quite limited,
whereas the studies showing it's benefits are many.

What would make more sense is to encourage and expand the industry to
include hemp useful for a multitude of value-added products we would
be able to produce here in Montana. Examples include biofuel,
biomass, clothing, paper and more. The possibilities are nearly endless.

It is almost like an ingrained prejudice against a single plant among
so many conservative lawmakers. Popular Mechanics magazine (1938)
touted hemp as "the new billion dollar crop," stating that it "can be
used to produce more than 25,000 products, ranging from dynamite to
Cellophane." It is time for our Legislature to get serious about
sustainable industries that produce jobs and add to the economy.

Don Killian

Bozeman