N.C. SHOOTING ITSELF IN THE FOOT YET AGAIN

Well, North Carolina does it again: Proposals from Buncombe County
Democrats to explore using industrial hemp, as part of the state
Democratic Party's platform, were rejected. It's illegal to grow in
the state because "its dried leaves and flowers can be used in making
marijuana." Balderdash - pure bunkum.

The French developed cultivars in the 1930s, so industrial hemp and
marijuana are distinct varieties of the cannabis plant. But trust
politicians not to know the facts.

For land's sake, Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp.
Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the colonial era and
early republic days.

Hemp is legal to grow in Canada, Germany, England, France, Spain,
Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Thailand, Hungary and Romania.

In America, bills have passed to allow hemp cultivation in North
Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland and West Virginia, with
resolutions passing in Alaska, California, Kentucky, Montana, Virginia
and Vermont, and with legislation in process in South Dakota, Iowa,
Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon and Tennessee.

But not in North Carolina. We've lost furniture to China, tobacco to
health, tomatoes to Mexico, and now because of stupidity, we lose the
chance for tobacco farmers to finally make some real money.

Peter Loewer,

Asheville