Disclaimer : I do not in anyway advocate the use of marijuana. Marijuana is an illegal substance and using it can land you in jail. My interest in this subject is one of the historical and the legal issues. The information below is given to create a dialog about the subject.

Hemp interests me on several different levels. First lets talk about what hemp is. Hemp is commonly known as marijuana. There are basically two types. There's the type that is illegal and that people smoke, and there is the type that is illegal and that people don't smoke.

I know what your probably asking here. " If they don't smoke it, then why is it illegal ? ".

That's a pretty fair question. Here are some quick facts about industrial hemp (the kind people don't smoke).

1) Hemp is among the oldest industries
on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings
of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest
relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately
8,000 BC.

2) Presidents Washington and Jefferson
both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during
the Colonial Era and Early Republic. The federal government subsidized
hemp during the Second World War and US farmers grew about a million
acres of hemp as part of that program.

3) Hemp Seed is far more nutritious than
even soybean, contains more essential fatty acids than any other
source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more
digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is 35% dietary
fiber. Hemp Seed does not contain THC.

4) The bark of the hemp stalk contains
bast fibers which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers
and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemi-cellulose
in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk contains no
THC. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulative
than cotton fiber.

5) According to the Department of Energy
and Dr. Brooks Kelly, Hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the
least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp
products. The hydrocarbons in hemp can be processed into a wide
range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels
and gas. Development of biofuels could significantly reduce our
consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

6) Hemp grows well without herbicides,
fungicides, or pesticides. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals
used on U.S. crops are applied to cotton.

7) Hemp produces more pulp per acre than
timber on a sustainable basis, and can be used for every quality
of paper. Hemp paper manufacturing can reduce waste-water contamination.
Hemp's low lignin content reduces the need for acids used in pulping,
and it's creamy color lends itself to environmentally friendly bleaching
instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less
dioxin and fewer chemical by-products.

8) Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition,
and does not yellow with age when an acid-free process is used.
Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old has been found. It can also
be recycled more times.

9) Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington
State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.

10) Eco-friendly hemp can replace most
toxic petro-chemical products. Research is being done to use hemp
in manufacturing biodegradable plastic products: plant-based cellophane,
recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products,
and resins made from the oil, to name just a very few examples.

Taken from Hemp Industries Association

So then, why is it illegal to grow ? Well, that part gets a bit complicated. For that answer you have to go back and look at why the government made it illegal. Some believe it was made illegal because of competing textile companies not wanting to compete with hemp. Some believe that it was made illegal to control immigration. Either way the reason it was made illegal are not because of health issues as we are told by the government. In fact science has shown that it is mostly harmless. (click here for more info)

The argument that is used today is that if we allow industrial hemp to be grown that it will make it easier for the other type of hemp ( which we will call pot from here on out ) to be grown. So then the next question becomes...

" What's wrong with pot ?"

The government will have you believe that pot is bad for you. Yet here are some interesting facts.

• No one has ever died from overdosing on pot.
• Pot creates a euphoric feeling which causes the majority of it's users to become relaxed and peaceful.
• One can sober up almost on demand if needed.
• According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 60 percent of American parents have smoked marijuana at least once in their lives.
• Pot decreases pain.
• Pot increases the appetite for chemotherapy users.
• Pot helps with chateracts.

Of course just like anything else pot has it's down side.

• Short term memory loss.
• Chronic smoking of pot can lead to respiratory ailments associated with smoke inhalation.
• Racing heart, agitation, tenseness
• Headaches
• Paranoia (generally only in inexperienced users)
• Possible psychological dependence on cannabis

So why is it illegal ? Simply because it some how profits the government to keep it illegal. If farmers were allowed to grow industrial hemp on their land for the use of either oil, paper, or clothing we would save untold billions every year. One acre of hemp can produce as much paper as four acres of trees. Think how this will help future generations by slowing down the deforestation of our wildlife areas.

As for the ingestion of pot the truth is that most people will tell you that they understand that pot is less harmful the either tobacco or alcohol. The U.S. has only 5% of the worlds population yet 20% of it's jails and criminals. A good portion of which are those who have used a substance which the majority of scientists find mostly harmless.

The bottom line is this. Hemp is good for the economy and the enviorment. Pot hurts no one. The next time you go to the voting booths keep these facts in your mind.