Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 Source: Northern Express (MI) Copyright: 2007 Northern Express Contact: http://www.northernexpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3079 Author: Steve Thompson MICHIGAN'S POT CROP Michigan is now ranked 16th largest grower of cannabis in the U.S., growing 308,475 plants, weighing 136,012 pounds, worth $218,435,000. The total worth of the U.S. crop now exceeds $35 billion, making cannabis the largest cash crop grown in the U.S.! How very sad that the merest mention of this wonderful, God-created plant sends you Michigan Farm Bureau folks and our elected officials cowering and hiding under your desks, while you all jump on the "ethanol" bandwagon which will hurt our great state with more pollution and depletion of our soil's nutrients. Each and every one of you farmers should take a trip to Canada in August and stroll through a hemp field, while remembering that the U.S. bought 85% of the Canadian hemp crop in 2005. Do yourselves a favor, and us, and quit believing the governmental lies about this plant, and with an open-mind, start educating yourselves with the true facts concerning it. Then join the other State Farm Bureaus across the U.S. that are supporting the growth of hemp. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, I believe, was the most recent to have done this. You can help make 2007 a truly Happy New Year for our great state of Michigan!! Rev. Steven B.Thompson Benzonia - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake