Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jan 2002
Source: Daily Times-Call, The (CO)
Copyright: 2002, The Daily Times-Call
Contact:  http://www.longmontfyi.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1475
Author: Erica Flores
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

ALLARD MEETS WITH BOULDER CONSTITUENTS

BOULDER - Hemp, Cuba and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty were among the 
topics tackled by U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard on Thursday morning during one of 
his annual "town meetings."

About 50 people gathered in the auditorium at Boulder's National Institute 
of Standards and Technology laboratories to ask questions of the Colorado 
Republican, who has committed to hold such meetings in every county in the 
state at least once a year.

Choosing not to use a microphone, Allard stood in front of the stage to 
answer questions, calling on people much like a teacher, his hands 
sometimes finding his pockets as he spoke.

Even though he didn't please everyone, Allard was agreeable to researching 
each and every issue brought forth by his constituents.

Not surprisingly, foreign policy and the war on terrorism made up the 
majority of the early questions.

Allard called President Bush's pledge to punish any and all nations that 
support terrorist activity "far-reaching" but issued his support for the 
campaign by saying, "The only way of stopping terrorism is to let them know 
there are consequences."

Rich Andrews told Allard he would like to see the Senate take a stand 
against Bush's recent withdrawal from the ABM treaty.

"It took the Senate to ratify the treaty," Andrews said. "You have the 
responsibility to deal with it. The fact that he can give six months notice 
and walk away, I find that very objectionable."

Again, Allard demonstrated his support of Bush's decision.

"The only reason the treaty was negated is to test for a missile- defense 
system," Allard said. "The plan is not to put nuclear warheads on those 
missiles."

"Empowering people and small businesses is how peace is built, not by 
arming the world," said Andrews, who was given a round of applause.

Another resident asked Allard his position on the nation's current economic 
relations with Cuba.

"We need to engender a better relationship with Cuba," Allard said. "I 
don't think isolationism works."

When the questions turned to matters of local concern, Allard found himself 
defending his sponsorship of a bill to turn Rocky Flats into a wildlife refuge.

"We sold Rocky Flats on the merits of the project," Allard said. "I am not 
in the habit of trading (votes.)"

Allard angered several in the audience when he mistook hemp for marijuana 
after a resident asked for his support of hemp-based products.

"I don't support the legalization of marijuana," Allard said, after 
resident Susan Squibb urged him to look into an Oct. 9 Drug Enforcement 
Administration ruling, saying that it has unfairly banned food products 
made of hemp, the plant from which marijuana comes.

The DEA's ruling made illegal any foods containing even a trace of 
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana's psychoactive ingredient.

"They are eliminating an industry of 3,000 businesses," Squibb said.

In the end, Allard said the session was "the best town meeting we've ever 
had here in Boulder."

For information on upcoming town meetings, contact Allard's office at 
303-220-7414.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager