U.S. NEEDS HEMP CULTIVATION

I am a junior at Memorial High school in Eau Claire. I am doing a research
paper on the legalization of hemp cultivation in the United States.

I don't know if enough people are aware of the endless benefits that hemp
has over other materials and fuels. Many people believe that industrial
hemp is the gateway to legalizing marijuana. This is not the case at all.

As of now there are more than 25,000 known uses for hemp. Hurds, the woody
stalk of the hemp plant, is an amazing source for renewable materials.

Hemp has countless uses, varying from oil absorbents to fuels such as
ethanol and methane, and co-firing with coal.

It has benefits for the environment as well. An acre of industrial hemp can
produce up to four times as much paper as an acre of trees. Hemp also
out-competes weeds and requires no herbicides.

These are just a few of the many advantages of hemp. I believe that
legalization of hemp cultivation would help solve many of the nation's
environmental and fuel issues.

Fuel is a definite problem in our society today, especially now with the
impending war in Iraq. A war with Iraq would greatly limit the United
States ' oil and fuel supply. Hemp could fulfill most of the nation's fuel
needs.

By planting only 6 percent of the continental United States, we could
provide for all of America's oil and gas energy needs.

The obvious benefits of hemp are ignorantly being overlooked. I feel U.S.
government officials need to open their minds, step out of the past and
realize that hemp could quite possibly be the miracle crop of the future.

JOSEFA MELLOR

Eau Claire