BAN ON INDUSTRIAL HEMP DEFIES REASON AND LOGIC

Regarding your story headlined "Edwards stumped by question in N.H. on use
of industrial hemp" [Herald-Sun, Sept. 18]:

Some facts about industrial hemp, grown in 35 countries including England,
France, Germany and Canada. The plant grows up to 16 feet in four months,
producing six to 10 tons of fiber per acre, a fiber so versatile it can be
used to make furniture, fabric, fuel, carpets, cabinets, construction
material, paper, plastics and composites, all of which are biodegradable or
recyclable.

Example: Mercedes-Benz automobiles are now 38 percent industrial hemp --
the dashboard, steering wheel, door panels, headliner, carpet and
upholstery. Not surprising, since in 1940, Henry Ford made a car entirely
of agricultural fibers (except for the engine) and it ran on industrial
hemp diesel fuel.

Using no pesticides or herbicides, industrial hemp is sustainable and
environmentally friendly, grown with certified seed, thus ensuring it has
absolutely no value as a recreational drug. However, this crop is
prohibited in the United States mainly because politicians are afraid to be
thought soft on drugs, a scientifically irrational position considering
cross-pollination would ruin any marijuana growing within a country mile of
a field of industrial hemp.

That fact explains why marijuana producers are violently against the
legalization of industrial hemp.

U.S. farmers need a new, low-labor industrial cash crop and U.S. industries
would use U.S.-grown industrial hemp rather than importing hemp fiber as
they are now doing. The current prohibition of certified industrial hemp
defies all logical thinking. It's a pity none of our legislators found time
to attend the 2001 International Seminar on Industrial Hemp sponsored by
N.C. State's Kenan Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology.
Concrete facts can be a real eye-opener.

Editor's note: The writer is vice-chairman of the North American Industrial
Hemp Council. The length rule for letters was waived.

GALE GLENN Durham September 24, 2003