Pubdate: Sat, 08 Sep 2001 Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX) Copyright: 2001 Amarillo Globe-News Contact: http://amarillonet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13 Author: Paul Miller Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1606/a07.html HEMP LAWS ONLY A SMOKE SCREEN Regarding Doyle Purcell's Aug. 31 letter, "Hey dude! Do you wanna help me smoke my car?" it should be noted that not all cannabis is intoxicating. The Australian developers who are attempting to develop cannabis-based automobile materials are using industrial hemp, which only has trace levels of THC. Industrial hemp simply cannot be used for purposes of intoxication. Mr. Purcell also should know that hemp currently is used for the production of some car parts. Some Chrysler models include parts made with a Johnson Controls polymer that is 25 percent hemp. All Mercedes models use fire-retardant blankets under the dash and inside the doors that are made from hemp. The continued ban on industrial hemp cultivation in the United States only serves to highlight how ill-conceived our drug laws are in general. Paul Miller Woodbridge, Va. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh