HYMN TO HEMP

This is in response to David Timmins' letter (Forum, May, 7) concerning
hemp. Mr. Timmins is partially right in claiming hemp is marijuana. It is,
however, a distant cousin. The biological fact is that you can smoke hemp
all day and not get a "high." It lacks the chemical THC that would afford
this relaxed state of mind.

The opposition to hemp comes from many directions, but it really comes down
to who controls the money. Hemp is a tough, versatile plant that is made
into many products, so it is seen as a threat to the powers that control
the production and sale of those products. Lies and falsehoods concerning
hemp abound in our society and I applaud the many hard-working, informed
people who are trying to educate a misinformed public concerning this
valuable resource.

Patrick Hayes,
Salt Lake City