John Boyle's informative article, "Building with hemp: Asheville on the forefront of a new green technique," (AC-T, Nov. 22), stated, "Hemp is derived from the same plant that marijuana comes from." This is misleading. Both plants are cannabis sativa, but the marijuana cannabinoid is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), which produces the psychoactive high. The industrial hemp cannabinoid is CBD (cannabidiol), which cannot get you high and actually blocks the effect of THC.

Because they can cross-pollinate, industrial hemp's CBD decreases the potency of THC in any nearby marijuana plant, making marijuana less attractive to grow. Industrial hemp has been recognized as a distinctive and important crop in the U.S. since colonial times, and only recently has it been demonized for its connection with marijuana. Hemp is a hearty, soil-renewing, carbon-negative crop that can yield 2-3 crops a year, requires no pesticides and be used for paper, cloth, oil, food, bio-fuel, bio-plastic, building materials and more. Industrial hemp is a ready solution for many of our 21st century challenges.

Kristine Madera, Asheville

[end]