My latest from our friend, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, leader and one of the co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control to his Iowa pot head and fellow republican, me. (712) 322-7103 CHARLES E. GRASSLEY WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1501 721 FEDERAL BUILDING 210 WALNUT STREET DES MOINES, IA 50309-2140 (515) 288-1145 120 FEDERAL BUILDING 320 6TH STREET SIOUX CITY, IA 51101-1244 (712) 233-1860 210 WATERLOO BUILDING 531 COMMERCIAL STREET WATERLOO, IA 50701-5497 (319) 232-6657 Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your support for the farming of hemp. As your Senator, it’s important for me to hear from you. Over the years, many people have expressed the view that marijuana should be legalized for several purposes, including for agricultural purposes. However, I disagree with this view. Marijuana is illegal because it is dangerous. When you smoke marijuana, or use any other drug, it changes your brain. It changes the way you think, your ability to learn, and how well you can remember. Making marijuana a legal drug will not change any of this. The laws granting the federal government the authority over the movement and sale of these dangerous substances is well established and has been thoroughly reviewed by the courts. Cannabis sativa is a tall, Asian herb known also as hemp, and best known for its psychoactive properties. The name “hemp” is also used to refer to a wide variety of fiber-bearing plants. Other plants that are part of the hemp family include Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), a fiber plant harvested in India and other parties of Asia. Abaca or Manila hemp (Musa textilis) grown in the Philippines and other Pacific Islands; Mauritius hemp (Furcraea gigantean) grown in Africa; New Zealand hemp (Phormium tenax); India hemp (Corchorus capsularis), also known as “jute;” various forms of sisal (Agave sisalana) grown in Africa and the West Indies; and Cuban or Mexican sisal (Agave fourcroydes). Today, all of these fibers are used primarily in the manufacturing of rope and twine. While the various forms of hemp are still being grown and used in less developed countries, except as a novelty item, hemp, for anything other than garden twine or burlap, cannot compete. Other than as a psychotropic drug, hemp has not proved to be a viable crop in any nation where its production is legal. And other than the profits that could be easily made by selling true hemp to those wanting to use marijuana to get high, no evidence exists that legalizing marijuana will provide any growth to the legitimate economy. It should be noted that true hemp (Cannabis sativa) is the only type of hemp fibers that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Due to the greater potential for abuse when compared to the possible uses and benefits, I cannot favor promoting cannabis sativa as a legitimate alternative crop. It seems that the main reason hemp is being put forward as a legitimate crop is to promote the legalization of marijuana. That is something I cannot support. Thank you again for contacting me. I hope you found this information helpful. Please keep in touch. Sincerely, Chuck like that?
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:54:04 +0000
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