Pubdate: Sat, 09 Sep 2000
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2000 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Author: Anthony Radej

SEPARATE HIPPIE AND HEMP

I am writing regarding the Aug. 24 article "Vote 'No' on Ballot Measure 5, 
99Hemp." I have to question some of Wev Shea's points.

First, as far as a "gateway" drug, I have known of many occasional or even 
everyday users of marijuana who don't touch cocaine. So 75 percent seems 
drastically high to me. But you can make statistics say whatever you want 
them to.

Second, that a single marijuana cigarette impairs an individual for more 
than 24 hours: As an occasional smoker myself, I have never experienced a 
"high" even close to that long. So I wonder about that one too.

As for Mr. Shea's remarks about the 18-year-olds, in my 18th year I was 
training to fight for my country and not using marijuana. What was he 
doing? The age of 18 brings a lot of choices and opportunities as well as 
responsibility into one's life. This is America, remember. Land of the 
free, home of the brave. Let us make our own decisions.

It's time we remove the "hippie" label from hemp and take advantage of all 
hemp has to offer. Much more than just clothing as Mr. Shea implied. Just 
visit a hemp store to see the hundreds of uses hemp has.

Please vote "yes" on Ballot Measure 5, 99Hemp.

- -- Anthony Radej
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens