INDUSTRIAL HEMP IS NOT MARIJUANA

Thank you for reporting on the controversial so-called "marijuana
initiatives" recently approved by Hailey voters. In future articles,
please note that industrial hemp is not marijuana. Yes, they are
both members of the cannabis family but hemp plants contain
very little, if any, of the psychoactive agent THC. The controversy
surrounding marijuana reform is a completely separate discussion
from issues regarding the growing of industrial hemp and I hope your
upcoming stories will more clearly express this important distinction.

The beneficial uses of hemp are numerous and throughout history hemp
has been regarded as one of the world's most useful crops. In George
Washington's time, most U.S. farmers were required by law to grow
hemp because it had so many beneficial uses, including fabric for
clothing, paper products, ropes, lotions and soil improvement. In
addition, hemp is drought resistant and it's seeds, which are prized
for their high Omega 3 oil content, are one of the most nutritious
foods on the planet.

In 1939. the U.S. Congress, pressured by influential timber, cotton
and petrochemical lobbies, made growing hemp illegal. Today the
United States is one of a few countries in the world where hemp
growing is outlawed. I encourage Hailey city officials to prioritize
the implementation of the "industrial hemp initiative" and I look
forward to the day where at least in Hailey, Idaho, growing hemp
will not be a crime.

John Caccia