Pubdate: Wed, 06 Dec 2000
Source: East Anglian Daily Times (UK)
Copyright: 2000 Eastern Counties Newspapers Group Ltd
Contact:  http://www.suffolk-now.co.uk/
Author: Don Barnard

CANNABIS COULD REVIVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Sir - John Dyson,(EADT December 1) makes a valuable contribution to the
environmental debate by pointing out the potential of rapeseed oil
biodiesel.

However, Environmental, Economic, agriculture and health considerations make
hemp a far better crop for the future:

Hemp (also known as cannabis) can also be grown to produce biodiesel. In
fact the first diesel engines were invented to run on hemp seed oil and
petroleum wasn't synthesized to mimic hemp seed oil for over a decade after
the invention of the first internal combustion engine, the diesel engine
(invented by Rudolph Diesel in 1894.) Henry Fords Model T was designed to
run on hemp fuel .

The seed can also be pressed for its highly nutritious vegetable oil, which
contains the highest amount of natural fatty acids found anywhere in the
plant kingdom. The by-product of pressing the oil is a high protein seed
cake suitable for human and animal consumption.

Then there is the Biomass potential and its industrial uses - including
paper, building materials, plastic, paint, clothing, cosmetic, medicines to
name but a few.

Even the roots play an important role by invigorate the soil to control
erosion and mud slides.

If cannabis hemp were allowed to be grown free of all restrictions it would
Rejuvenate the rural economy and prove, both for the farmer and the public,
the most desirable and profitable crop that can be grown

But the petrochemical, arms, and pharmaceutical companies won't like this.

Question: Who do the laws controlling cannabis protect- the public or big
business?

Don Barnard
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MAP posted-by: Don Beck