Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2009 Source: Galesburg Register-Mail (IL) Copyright: 2009 Galesburg Register-Mail Contact: http://www.register-mail.com/news/letters/index.html Website: http://www.galesburg.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3864 Author: Dan Linn AMERICA SHOULD GROW HEMP AGAIN America is the only industrial nation that does not grow hemp. Hemp can be used for many things and at one time in colonial America was illegal not to grow but because of its relations to the cannabis plant it has been outlawed. However, during WWII there was a "Hemp for Victory" campaign. Illinois should allow its farmers to grow hemp once again. There is not one good reason to continue banning the production of hemp in America. It could help with our struggling economic times or at least should be an option for Illinois farmers. When things get tough shouldn't all options be considered? Gov. Ryan twice vetoed legislation in Illinois regarding the production of hemp, but there is no reason why this issue should not be revisited. Hemp can be used for biodiesel fuel, cordage, a food product and many more things so outlawing it makes it even worse. Some say it might save the world and while I won't go that far at this time I do think it could help, and if it was good to enough to do during WWII I think it should be grown today. Dan Linn, Executive Director Illinois Chapter National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws Sycamore - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin