Pubdate: Friday, April 9, 1999 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Copyright: 1999 Star Tribune Feedback: http://www.startribune.com/stonline/html/userguide/letform.html Website: http://www.startribune.com/ Forum: http://talk.startribune.com/cgi-bin/WebX.cgi Author: The Associated Press / Statewire Note: The Hemp Times website is at: http://www.hemptimes.com/ Excerpted from: Happenings Thursday at the Minnesota Capitol: FINAL WORD HEMP-VENTURA Gov. Jesse Ventura has taken his support for the production of industrial hemp to the next level. He' s featured on the cover of Hemp Times, a nationally distributed magazine focusing on fashions and products derived from the product. The caption on the front says " Jesse Ventura: First Governor For Hemp." Ventura thinks hemp, a cousin of marijuana, would add to the variety of crops grown by Minnesota farmers. The magazine has a lengthy article discussing Ventura' s support for hemp, which can be used to make products such as clothes and tennis shoes. Hemp can be grown legally in Canada, but not in the United States. Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp contains virtually none of the substance that allows people to get high. A bill that would legalize hemp production in Minnesota if growers register with the state cleared the Senate and was sent to the House, where it died in committee. Former Gov. Arne Carlson vetoed a more restrictive bill last year. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake