Senators: State of Hawaii

Senators: State of Hawaii Judy L. Dinerstein Naperville, IL - 4/8/02

I am a board member of Educating Voices, Inc., a national non-profit organization comprised of volunteers with no affiliation to any governmental entity. Our primary concern is helping families and children/youth avoid the destruction of drugs. As a board member I did a great deal of research on the viability of hemp, some of which is stated below. But it is as a concerned parent and citizen that I am writing to you. I ask you to please read this information. ======

Dear Senators:

Hemp Facts:

There has been considerable research already done on this issue. Why would you research a crop that, if planted, would result in negative implications in so many areas, including law enforcement and increased youth exposure to drugs?

Many studies have been conducted and experts have concurred that industrial hemp is not a viable product. The following summarizes some studies/individuals and conclusions:

§ U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Industrial Hemp in the United States: Status and Market Potential,” January 21, 2000: “Small thin market.” § Valerie Vantreese, “Industrial Hemp: Global Markets and Prices Briefing,” June 1997: “World hemp production has fallen steadily since 1980s.” § Joseph Atchinson, Ph.D., Tappi Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award winner and consultant on non-wood fibers: “…little or no potential in U.S. pulp/paper industry.” § Robert G. Robinson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics: “Pre 1938, hemp was legal/production declined.” § James F. Hopkins, “A History of the Hemp Industry in Kentucky”: “Wartime hemp production threatened increased narcotics traffic long after production ended.” § Duane Johnston, Ph.D., New Crop Specialist, Colorado State University of Agronomy: “Hemp oil can’t compete with oils such as canola and soybean.” § Health Canada Study, July 1999, resulting in conclusion that THC Poses Health Risk: “Hemp THC may cause acute neurological effects and long-term effects on brain development, the reproductive system and the immune system.” § Office of National Drug Control Policy, Statement on Industrial Hemp, July, 1997 § United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board 1997 Report on Drugs

In addition, industrial hemp is being marketed as a promising new source for food products and cosmetics. However, hemp contains THC and research is showing health hazards associated with exposure to THC.

“New food products and cosmetics made from hemp – the marijuana plant – pose an unacceptable risk to the health of consumers, a report prepared for Health Canada says.”

“The risk assessment done for Health Canada says hemp products may not be safe because even small amounts of THC may cause developmental problems. Those most at risk, the study says, are children exposed in the womb or through breast milk, or teenagers whose reproductive systems are developing.”

“Hazards associated with exposure to THC include acute neurological effects and long-term effects on brain development, the reproductive system and the immune system, the study says. ‘Over all, the data considered for this assessment support the conclusion that inadequate margins of safety exist between potential exposure and adverse effect levels for cannabinoids [the active ingredients] in cosmetics, food and nutraceutical products made from hemp.’” (Mcilroy, Anne: “Health Canada Study says THC poses health risk,” Globe and Mail, Ottawa, Canada, 7/27/99.)

The Journal of Immunology (July 2000) reported that THC, “can promote tumor growth by impairing the body’s anti-tumor immunity system.”

Since THC and the over 60 other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, i.e., store themselves in the fatty tissues of the brain and body, even a very small amount may be damaging, especially if ingested regularly. Fat- soluble substances accumulate in the body. The only important substance that exceeds THC in fat solubility is DDT. (Hart, R.H.: Bitter Grass, The Bitter Truth About Marijuana, 4/80, 13-14.)

According to Dr. Gabriel Nahas, research professor, New York University, cannabinoids other than THC (CBN and CBD) also impair dividing cells, and “are even more potent than THC when it comes to inhibiting DNA production.” Nahas, GG, M.D., PhD., D.SC., Keep Off the Grass; Paul S. Ericksson, Publisher, 1990, p. 48.) Even though available research indicates that there is serious concern about the safety of THC, hemp promoters are actively marketing food products, cosmetics and nutraceuticals. The Cannabis Candy Company is marketing Mary Jane Hemp Pops and Hemp Power Sours to children.

The drug culture has been attempting to obtain the legalization of marijuana by convincing States that Industrial hemp is the wonder crop that will save the farmers and aid the environment. States are being flooded with pro-hemp literature. The crop is being touted in magazines and recently it was called a miracle crop on a family oriented television series.

As far back as 1990 the drug culture has been promoting Industrial hemp as a means of legalizing marijuana, particularly in their pro-drug magazine, High Times:  “The way to legalize marijuana is to sell marijuana legally. When you can buy it at your neighborhood shopping mall, IT’S LEGAL!” (Hemp activists Matthew Cheng and Alex Shum, in High Times, 3/90)  “Don’t forget that the joints you smoke and the fiber you make into clothes are the same plant.” (Hemp guru Jack Herer, in High Times, 4/95)  “H.E.M.P. organization stands for “Help Eliminate Marijuana Prohibition.” (High Times, 4/95)  “When people buy and see hemp it stimulates public awareness, mainstreaming the evil weed into a normal commodity whose days of illegality are numbered.” (High Times, 8/97)  An article in the April, 1995 issue of Cannabis Culture magazine, Marc Emery stated: “The hemp culture, nonetheless, is exploding because the millions of us who are smoking pot are also working with hemp, distributing hemp and most importantly, putting money where our heart is into hemp products.” ---- “Cannabis smokers are subsidizing the low margins on hemp clothes so that these hemp goods can be introduced into the market.”