Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 Source: Daily Athenaeum, The (WV Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Daily Athenaeum Contact: http://www.da.wvu.edu/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/763 Author: Adam Webster Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) HEMP VERY USEFUL One more thing about "The Weed:" It is important to remember that our federal government, as well as some state governments, continue enforcing laws that classify marijuana as a monotypic species (i.e., one of its kind with respect to genus). This legislative philosophy is grounded in both nit-wittedness and corporate patronage. Lined up with the same opportune political philosophy that discredits scientific evidence of global warming in favor of energy corporations, current marijuana legislation suppresses opportunities for a progressive tomorrow by stigmatizing all forms of marijuana as criminal - a gesture protecting the profits of forest products, agribusiness and other food, fiber and fuel industries. Recognizing marijuana as a polytypic species (i.e., more than one species with respect to its genus) is a much more beneficial philosophy. For example, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) contains fibers that are longer, stronger and more absorbent and insulative than cotton fiber. Cotton accounts for nearly half of the agricultural chemicals used on crops in the United States. On the contrary, hemp thrives without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. Hemp also produces more pulp per acre than timber. Hemp matures in approximately four months, while trees take upwards of ten years. Processing pulp from trees is an environmentally-demanding process. Hemp fiberboard has also been found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard. In 2002, W.Va. passed the Industrial Hemp Act, kicking into motion a plan for cultivating hemp for use in clothing, bath products, car dashboards and other products. Hemp is also a credited biofuel. Twenty-two states in the United States have introduced legislation for support, research and cultivation of hemp. The major obstacles are federal guidelines outlawing this ready to flourish industry. Meanwhile, the United States currently imports $300 million worth of hemp annually. If you want to get high on hemp, plan on smoking an acre or two. Adam Webster Journalism Graduate Student - --- MAP posted-by: Beth