Pubdate: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald (Hilo, HI) Copyright: 2008 Hawaii Tribune Herald Contact: http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/185 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n792/a06.html Author: Michael Ravenswing POT CAN HALT WARMING Global warming is considered the No. 1 danger for human survival on the earth. Global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels. There is a solution to having enough fuel without using fossil fuel. We can grow our fuel. The only plant that grows fast enough and plentifully enough to provide 1,000 gallons per acre is hemp. Hemp was used to fuel the Model T car invented by Henry Ford until the petroleum interests forced him to make the automobile motor run on fossil fuel. If we use hemp, we are not inventing a new technology, we are using a proven technology that was made illegal against the interest of the American farmer and the health of the planet. Now we are told that making marijuana the lowest priority for prosecution by the police creates too much confusion. Having the hemp/marijuana plant illegal creates global warming. Consider when the ocean rises 20 feet and half of Hilo and all of Kona is under water. Marijuana is not dangerous; global warming is devastating. Using the 4,400 acres of old sugar plantation land that the county has to grow fuel would mean 44,000 gallons of fuel each growing season. Perhaps two or three crops can be harvested, making 88,000 or 132,000 gallons of fuel for our island to use. The greed of petroleum interests and the ignorance of the public and politicians produce laws that cause problems for the police. Confiscating people's property for growing a plant that ought to be legal only fosters that greed. Making marijuana the lowest priority for police interest is a tiny step to stem the horrific consequences of the continued ban against this plant that prevents the growth of natural fuel. That fuel would also no longer be used to fly the intrusive, noisy green harvest helicopters. Vote to make marijuana the lowest priority. Michael Ravenswing Papaikou - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake