HEMP VERY USEFUL

One more thing about "The Weed:" It is important to remember that our
federal government, as well as some state governments, continue enforcing
laws that classify marijuana as a monotypic species (i.e., one of its kind
with respect to genus). This legislative philosophy is grounded in both
nit-wittedness and corporate patronage.

Lined up with the same opportune political philosophy that discredits
scientific evidence of global warming in favor of energy corporations,
current marijuana legislation suppresses opportunities for a progressive
tomorrow by stigmatizing all forms of marijuana as criminal - a gesture
protecting the profits of forest products, agribusiness and other food,
fiber and fuel industries.

Recognizing marijuana as a polytypic species (i.e., more than one species
with respect to its genus) is a much more beneficial philosophy. For
example, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) contains fibers that are
longer, stronger and more absorbent and insulative than cotton fiber.
Cotton accounts for nearly half of the agricultural chemicals used on crops
in the United States. On the contrary, hemp thrives without herbicides,
fungicides or pesticides.

Hemp also produces more pulp per acre than timber. Hemp matures in
approximately four months, while trees take upwards of ten years.
Processing pulp from trees is an environmentally-demanding process. Hemp
fiberboard has also been found to be twice as strong as wood-based
fiberboard. In 2002, W.Va. passed the Industrial Hemp Act, kicking into
motion a plan for cultivating hemp for use in clothing, bath products, car
dashboards and other products. Hemp is also a credited biofuel. Twenty-two
states in the United States have introduced legislation for support,
research and cultivation of hemp. The major obstacles are federal
guidelines outlawing this ready to flourish industry.

Meanwhile, the United States currently imports $300 million worth of hemp
annually. If you want to get high on hemp, plan on smoking an acre or two.

Adam Webster

Journalism Graduate Student