Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 Source: Evening News (UK) Copyright: 2005 Archant Regional Contact: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141 Author: Alun Buffry, Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org THERE IS STILL NO EVIDENCE OF ANY RISK TO THE HUGE MAJORITY OF USERS Alun Buffry of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in Norwich, provides a possible solution in the search for alternative renewable sources. Green Party councillor Adrian Holmes has it right when he says "we need to conserve oil reserves to allow time to switch to safe renewable sources", but he uses this as a reason for opposing "environmentally damaging short haul flights" from Norwich airport. I'm not sure how that follows, because if people are unable to fly from Norwich, surely they will fly from Stansted or another airport? I don't see how that cuts down on fuel use or pollution? Mr Holmes advocates the use of alternative fuels, but the main delay in using the best natural resource is due to an incredibly illogical, unjust and unworkable prohibition against it. It is of course hemp (cannabis) - banned because people choose to use it to get high or to relieve their suffering, even though there is still no evidence of any risk to the huge majority of users, apart from getting busted. This plant - which can be grown easily all over the country (under secure conditions if deemed essential) - can be safely and easily converted to alcohol on a local level, though a process of controlled breakdown called pyrolysis. When burned, that fuel releases only water vapour and carbon dioxide in much the same quantities that were absorbed during growing. Also, Norfolk was one of the major cannabis growing areas in the UK, when it was used for a variety of purposes including medical, rope, sails, paper, clothes, oils, paints and even food. Isn't it about time that the political parties who are squabbling over the use of Norwich International airport because of pollution, woke up to the idea of actually pushing for the production of biofuels locally? Norwich could lead the way with this. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh