Pubdate: Sun, 08 Feb 2004 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Section: Sunday Magazine Copyright: 2004 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: John Clement Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n106/a06.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.) IF HEMP IS OUTLAWED, WHY NOT THE POPPY? Let's nip this hemp threat in the bud ("The Demonized Seed," by Lee Green, Jan. 18). If we let farmers grow industrial hemp, won't everyone rush out to get stoned? I propose that we immediately outlaw our state flower, the golden poppy, because other varieties can produce opium. And how can we ever control psychedelic mushrooms unless we raid every shiitake and portabello farm? Seriously, let's get beyond the paranoia and make use of this important resource. John Clement Arleta - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake