HEMP CAN SAVE THE ECONOMY

To the Editor:

In the wake of last week's devastating developments (wrong word there) to
the interior forest sector, I would like to express my sincere sympathy and
compassion for the thousands of individuals in our communities who have
been so horrendously affected by the specific incidents I am referring to
and by the sorry state of socio-economic affairs that has swallowed this
sad province since Gordon Campbell's unworthy government took power.

I am sooo angry and betrayed, as I am certain you all are feeling also.

But it is not the end. I see it as a beginning. The beginning of
something long overdue: the beginning of a serious development in the hemp
industry.

Our forests are disappearing!

Our jobs are disappearing!

Our timber and primary resources are losing value, and it is no longer
worth it to exploit our environment in the name of consumption and growth.

Grow Hemp! Hemp makes paper, and it does so much more efficiently than
trees ever could. How many times must it be repeated that a given acreage
of hemp will produce nearly as much pulp as the same area of forest, and do
it 75 times faster?

Let's replant clearcuts with this miraculous and God-given plant that has
the potential (not a word of jest) to save the world! And our world needs
saving, as does our country, our province, our communities, and our people.

So buck up, folks. It's grassroots time! Let's harness the potential this
plant is presenting us, staring us in the face.

On another, but related issue, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude
and congratulations to the people of Glade, Needles, and Harrop-Procter for
the brave and strong fight they put up to save their ferries.

As Blair Suffredine admitted, the decision was reversed because of the
volume of powerful and constructive criticism presented to his government
by the people.

Way to go, folks. You deserve your victory, and it is a victory for us
all, for that is democracy in action!

Keep up the fight! We're all in this together.

In the words of Jasper Friendly Bear and the rest of the rest of the folks
at the CBC's "Dead Dog Cafe", Stay calm, be brave, watch for the signs.

With newfound optimism.

Adrien Burton

Nelson, B.C.