Pubdate: Fri, 14 Feb 2014
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
Copyright: 2014 Lexington Herald-Leader
Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/369/
Website: http://www.kentucky.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240
Author: Robert Sharpe

HEMP RESTRICTIONS ROOTED IN BIAS AGAINST MEXICANS

Regarding Sen. Rand Paul's thoughtful Feb. 6 column, the U.S. is
indeed one of the few countries in the world that denies farmers the
right to grow industrial hemp.

Apparently federal bureaucrats can't tell the difference between a
tall hemp stalk and a squat marijuana bush. Prior to passage of the
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, few Americans had heard of marijuana,
despite widespread cultivation of industrial hemp.

The first anti-marijuana laws were a racist reaction to Mexican
immigration during the early 1900s. White Americans did not even begin
to smoke pot until a soon-to-be entrenched federal bureaucracy began
funding "reefer madness" propaganda.

Decades later, marijuana use is now mainstream. Government
exaggerations about marijuana have created forbidden-fruit appeal and
increased use where none existed.

If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms,
marijuana would be fully legal. The direct experience of millions
contradicts the lies used to justify prohibition. There is no excuse
for denying farmers the right to grow industrial hemp.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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