NOTES ON HEMP FROM THE HEART

OF THE HOMELAND

Brandon Brown in the Appalachian wrote this month (13 Nov.) on the history of hemp in the US, where, sadly, some people confuse it with dope. Brown goes back to the founding of the US and quotes two presidents, Washington and Jefferson. Obviously, hemp was ubiquitous then; John Quincy Adams wrote about its cultivation and other politicians grew it. Quoting Jefferson, the article notes: "The greatest service which can be renderd by any country is to add a useful plant to its culture."

It seems George B. has not read the words of his predecessors. Other US politicians, such as Gov. Ryan of Illinois, who vetoed the 2 hemp bills in that state, might also take note. In Lincoln's time hemp was grown exensively (this first GOP president married into a hemp growing family) and one of Illinois' governors in his day was also a hemp farmer. Food for thought.