Pubdate: Thu, 06 Dec 2001
Source: San Francisco Examiner (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Francisco Examiner
Contact:  http://www.examiner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/389
Author: Michael J. Gorman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

HEMP BAN RIDICULOUS

AS of Feb. 6, it will be illegal to sell or import products containing 
hemp, under a new rule of the DEA.

The hemp-containing foods being banned contain traces of THC, the main 
active ingredient of marijuana. The products that are affected include some 
cheeses, coffees, energy drinks, beers, ice creams, snack bars, salad oils, 
sodas and some others.

Manufacturers say there is no measurable THC content in these foods under 
tests available when Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act. The 
hemp seeds are thought to be a good source of protein and essential fatty 
acids not found in other foods.

Why on earth is the DEA spending so much time and effort to ban microscopic 
amounts of a useful substance with only an incidental connection to 
marijuana? Is there a good reason for what seems like a witch-hunt, or is 
this just marijuana madness for the new millennium?

Does DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson need a new moral cause celebre, after 
his team's failed crusade in Congress to remove Bill Clinton from office 
for lying about sex?

I think "get a life!" is the appropriate reaction to the current DEA crusade.

Michael J. Gorman

Whitestone, N.Y.
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MAP posted-by: Beth