Pubdate: Thu, 03 Oct 2002 Source: See Magazine (CN AB) Copyright: 2002 SEE Magazine Contact: http://www.seemagazine.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2367 Author: Emily Vokes Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) HEMP CAN SAVE THE ECONOMY Editor, SEE: There is an answer to Craig Elliott's call for any plan that reduces greenhouse emissions while sustaining the economy. The answer has been there since the Marijuana Tax Act was implemented in 1937 by the U.S. government, followed in 1938 by the same laws in Canada. At that time, industrial hemp was touted with glowing reports as a "new billion dollar crop", and "the most profitable crop that can be grown". But since 1930, industrial hemp has been subjected to an intensive propaganda smear campaign from powerful corporations dictating and lobbying governments in the U.S. and Canada. The corporations, such as those in the cotton, timber, and petrochemical industries, stood to lose billions of dollars if hemp was allowed. Hemp has at least 25,000 different uses with minimal impact on the environment. It has many beneficial qualities. Hemp can replace many non-renewable resources as well as numerous processed and manufactured goods. According to Jack Herer, the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, and a dedicated researcher and advocate for industrial hemp, "Hemp is the only annually renewable plant on earth able to replace all fossil fuels." He gives documented evidence in his book that if 11 per cent of the arable land was planted with hemp it would replace all dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear fuels, which we know are detrimental to both the human race and the environment. Also, John Roulac, President of HEMPTECH, notes that, "The average citizen knows but a small piece of the truth about industrial hemp, along with a great deal of misinformation... we must inform ourselves, discerning the truth amidst the hype... well worth incorporating into a more global sustainable future." In addition, in Cuba they have had advanced alternative energy practices to include extensive solar power as a major energy supply to complement the use of sugarcane biomass for the last decade. There is an alternative to the illusion, as well as information, we are given by our "leaders." So Craig, I sincerely hope this information can be of use to us all, rather than the indoctrination and disinformation we are being fed through mainstream media and other propaganda campaigns by those who deem they are the authority of these important matters. The most important thing to do with the truth is act on it. Emily Vokes - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom