Monday October 13, 2008, 6:06 am

We allow far more dangerous drugs in our culture (alcohol, tobacco, strong narcotics). I simply cannot understand why marijuana is forbidden, especially for medical use.

And the supposed danger is, in any case, immaterial. People have the right to damage their bodies in any way they like in my opinion. That's what freedom is all about - the right to go to hell in one's own handbasket.

Monday October 13, 2008, 6:52 am
Come to Holland! You can smoke a joint here but not smoke a normal cigarett....
Have a marijuana....its great for medical use....and should be used far more all around the world!

Monday October 13, 2008, 4:25 pm
Makes sense to me. Thanks Gregory!

Monday October 13, 2008, 5:46 pm
Alright folks....

Vermont just legalized the agricultural production of industrial hemp in our state. We follow the steps of (I think) North Dakota. We obviously are still not allowed to grow until the federal government changes it's mind. The tactic being taken here, is individual states make hemp growing legal and join together to pressure the feds with numbers and laws already in place..

Now, the reason this worked, and this is important, is that the bill was for industrial hemp only, not marijuana. Marijuana is a much harder sell as we all know, but the fact of the matter is that they are two VERY different crops used for very different reasons and should NOT be grouped together, especially in the arena of law making.

Hemp is a lucrative crop that grows in poor soils (is not a high nutrient consumer- good for the earth), has potential in bio fuels, not to mention it's uses in paper products and textiles. As I understand there are two main reasons why HEMP has such a hard time on desks of politicians 1) they think it's pot and 2) it competes directly with some old school (heavily subsidized and morally questionable) industries: cotton and logging. I suppose, also, it is going to challenge all the folks now heavily invested in corn for ethanol, as it should.

The group here in Vermont that helps organize us folks and gets our messages to our politicians (lobby) is called Rural Vermont. You'll be able to find them on the internet and there is probably info on the specifics of hemp as an agricultural crop and steps to take to bring this topic up with your representatives. Industrial hemp is a no brainer when the facts are laid out. I encourage you to take this on. But please remember, when dealing in politics, it is SO important to keep hemp and pot separate as they are simply not the same.

Good luck!

Tuesday October 14, 2008, 9:32 pm
A wonderful crop called Hemp is being ignored because of the cannabis issue.

I am not advocating drugs use.

I am advocating the use of a valuable plant that could perhaps shift the balance of overuse of the planet resources back to sustainability.

Wednesday October 15, 2008, 3:14 pm
Plant hemp for life! (sorry Bette)

Wednesday October 15, 2008, 4:05 pm
Hemp is also one of the most durable of fibers, I have wanted to get my hands on some for spinning for a long time but it is very expensive to buy just to experiment with for spinning.

Friday October 17, 2008, 6:41 am
All hail the wonder plant!

Friday October 17, 2008, 3:14 pm
May the Sacred Plant persevere despite certain Organizations and companies which don't us to know the the goodness and medicinal uses of this plant which Noah made sure he saved some seeds and his descendants starting spreading the Word( Herb) since the last Great Flood
.It grows everywhere and has always been revered and utilized by indigenous people, since the dawn of time, for many reasons.
Whether you smoke or not, it's a necessary nutrient, de-toxifier and natural bug resistant for our soil. Creates life-giving Oxygen.long-wearing, fir-retardant clothing, not to mention the fact that it's 600 + medicinal properties correspond to the 600 different centres of the Human brain which monitor, heal and balance our complex bodies.
Peace in Our Quest for Truth

Friday October 17, 2008, 3:36 pm

Hemp is a useful plant. Nothing more. Why the need of so many to deify it?

In fact, if we just accept it as merely one of thousands of useful plants on our planet perhaps others will tone down their objections to it. By glamorizing and glorifying it as something "special" we merely paint a big bullseye on it for the arrows of the opposition.

Saturday October 25, 2008, 4:03 am
The medicinal properties alone of marijuana, much less the potential income from taxation (the drugs alcohol and tobacco are taxed), make its legalization, controlled production and distribution an absolute no brainer! As to its medical benefits? Just ask anyone who suffers from chronic pain which they would prefer to use for relief, pain pills or marijuana? I don't know about you, but pain pills make me stupid. Marijuana as a medication has saved lives!

A study in the mid sixties showed that the legalization and taxation of marijuana would have eliminated the national debt of the time within four years.

So, what exactly is the problem?