QUESTION FOR POLITICIANS

To the Editor:

I failed to address Sen. Barack Obama, when he was at McHenry County
College Feb. 23 with this issue, so I'll try this route.

During World War II, the federal government repealed the 1937
prohibition of domestic hemp farming, because hemp fiber and oil
supplies from Asia were stopped by the Japanese.

The Normandy invasion would have been impossible without American
farmers growing hemp for the production of canvas for gliders, blimps,
ropes, tents, parachute straps, backpacks, stretchers, oakum, etc.
Hempseed oil was used as a fine lubricant for guns and aircraft, even
paint.

We are at war, and hemp could play a strategic role in providing a
renewable energy source.

Hemp outproduces corn, soybeans and trees for biofuels, and needs less
water, fertilizer and herbicides for profitable production.

The United States is the only country of the Group of Eight that
prohibits hemp farming.

Sen. Obama, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean and state Rep. Jack Franks, I ask
you this question: Will you sponsor legislation to re-establish
industrial hemp as a primary agricultural crop to provide your
constituents with a clean, renewable energy and food source?

For information about hemp, see www.votehemp.com.

GARY CHRIST

Crystal Lake