Pubdate: Mon, 1 May 2000
Source: U.S. News and World Report (US)
Copyright: 2000 U.S. News & World Report
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Author: Cynthia Thielen
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n381/a03.html

HEMP WAR

I applaud you for pinpointing the implications of White House drug czar 
Barry McCaffrey's March 5 letter to U.S. Customs and the Drug Enforcement 
Administration relating to industrial hemp regulation in the article titled 
"Shampoo High" [Washington Whispers, March 27].

As primary sponsor of the legislation that established the Hawaii 
Industrial Hemp Research Project (HIHRP), I can tell you that the "trade 
war" is underway.  The Customs Service is not happy about McCaffrey's 
directive to seize and test hemp products.

McCaffrey's war on non-hallucinogenic industrial hemp is of great concern 
to Hawaii, since our HIHRP is developing a seed variety appropriate for 
growth within U.S. latitudes.  Major Hawaiian agricultural corporations 
want to add hemp as an intercycle crop, and some expect it to replace sugar 
as one of our state's central crops.

I believe a trade war is avoidable and would like to see a more in-depth 
article about the industrial hemp market, states' action to allow farmers 
to grow, and the consequences of Barry McCaffrey's misguided opposition to 
this non hallucinogenic crop.

Cynthia Thielen
Assistant Minority Floor Leader
49th District
Honolulu, Hawaii 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake