Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 Source: Athens News, The (OH) Copyright: 2002, Athens News Contact: http://www.athensnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603 Author: John McKee Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?194 (Hutchinson, Asa) DEA AFRAID OF HEMP BECAUSE IT MESSES UP DRUG TEST READINGS Asa Hutchinson continues in the time-honored manner of the DEA; when it comes to marijuana, always lie. It is a lie that "hemp and marijuana are parts of the same plant and hemp cannot be produced without producing marijuana." Hemp is a totally different strain of the species. No part of the hemp plant contains significant amounts of THC, flowers, leaves, nothing. No part of it produces a "high." If planted in a field with THC-producing marijuana, hemp would cross-pollinate and seriously dilute the THC producer's potency. The real reason the DEA is afraid of hemp is that ingestion of large amount of hemp oil or other hemp products may interfere with the sacred drug test readings. The whole huge drug test industry is based on detection of long-lasting THC; therefore, the demonization of hemp by the DEA. Hutchinson and his henchmen will do anything to protect this invasive industry. John McKee Columbia Falls, Mont. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh