Lawrence.com

The Declaration of Independence was printed on it. George Bush Sr. jumped out of a plane during World War II with a parachute made from it. It's the fabric of the coffee filter that I've been brewing with for the past year. Heck, you can even run a car on this stuff. What is this magic substance? Baking Soda? Viagra? Try hemp.

Of course, hemp cultivation is still illegal in the United States, but that hasn't stopped people from importing it and offering the American public goods that include diapers, salad dressings, socks, handbags, dog collars, shampoos, body oils, lotions and shirts. I wasn't kidding about the car either. Currently the Hemp Car, a 1983 Mercedes 300TD wagon, is on a 10,000 mile drive around the nation using industrial-grade hemp oil for fuel. The diesel engine needed no modifications to use the oil, and it gets the same 27 miles per gallon.

With such a great r�sum�, who could refuse the possibilities hemp has to offer? Why doesn't George Dubya halt the giant oil drills from ripping apart pristine Arctic wilderness and order a 21st century "Hemp for Victory" wartime campaign to end dependency on petroleum? The answer is simple: Some political groups believe hemp legalization is more about lighting up than saving whales. Like Parent Resources and Information on Drug Education (PRIDE), for example.

Susie Dugan is the executive director for the Omaha branch of PRIDE, an organization that strives to prevent youth drug use.

"High Times (magazine) and NORML (the National Organization for the Reform Marijuana of Laws) are promoting drugs to kids," Dugan sighs. "It's sad. We are very much opposed to any legislation that would legalize hemp, because it's the same plant as the marijuana that you smoke. The naked eye can't tell the difference."

OK, but what about lab tests?

"You would have to test every plant in a field."

Hmm, maybe she skipped the random sampling chapter in her statistics class. Dugan informs me about current legislation in Nebraska to legalize industrial hemp cultivation, a possibility that greatly upsets her PRIDE.

"The strategy of the drug culture is this: If we can get it passed in enough states, they can go to the federal government to get it legalized just like with medical marijuana," Dugan explains. "NORML has had this for years in their strategies. Just buy a High Times magazine. It's not agricultural people who are the real leaders in this movement. It's the drug culture."

Dugan's right, of course. It's no secret that the legalize-pot crowd advocates hemp production as well; but are they the only voice? The Nebraska Farm Bureau is the largest voluntary agricultural organization in its state, representing 42,000 farming and ranching families. The NFB not only supports the Nebraska hemp bill, but lists its passage as a top priority. Doesn't sound like a bunch of whacked-out Rasta dudes only interested in getting glassy eyed. Last time I checked, Keith Richards, Cypress Hill and the jar with Timothy Leary's brain in it weren't on the NFB board of directors. And what about the most promising uses for hemp � oil, fabric and paper � all of which could benefit the environment?

"It has no legitimate use," replies Dugan. "There's always some THC in hemp. It's not worth it when you weigh the consequences of the message it sends to your kids. They know it's the same thing; drug culture is bombarding them will the fact that hemp will save the environment."

But if the market for hemp grew and it was proven to be an inexpensive, environmentally friendly source of fuel, clothing and paper, would you still be opposed to it?

"Absolutely," Dugan affirms. "It's still Cannabis sativa. We have so many better products down the line."

Wow. That's harsh. I'm sure those arctic foxes and polar bears from Alaska's multimillion acre wildlife sanctuary would appreciate some hemp oil production right about now. PRIDE's hemp = marijuana equation sounds a bit half-baked. Perhaps a second opinion is in order.

Amber waves of hemp

Rhonda R. Janke is professor of horticulture at Kansas State University, specializing in sustainable cropping systems. She also works with the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops.

"Industrial hemp makes a great fiber," Janke says. "It's great for clothing and paper products, and as a crop it's very productive. In Canada, it's been legal for a couple of years."

As for confusing hemp with Mary Jane, Janke feels that is an unlikely contingency.

"They're almost two different plants," she says. "Pot is not industrial hemp. If people were worried about marijuana versus hemp, you could easily test that in a lab."

What are the possibilities that "amber waves of hemp" could spread across Kansas in the future?

"The state has a great climate for hemp," says the professor. "It was a big crop in here during World War II, like in the Manhattan-Fort Riley area for example. It still grows wild there on the creek banks. It's the industrial version, with low THC."

Not surprisingly, Janke believes Kansas should explore hemp production.

"This crop has potential from my professional view," she says. "Commodity crops are not bringing money to agriculture. The price of wheat, corn and soybeans are all below the cost of production. Hemp would be an alternative. It's a shame when legal barriers prevent something that might be profitable."

Yes, it is a shame. While some may worry that drug culture cadres are masterminding a plot to get us all stoned one day, hopefully reason will soon prevail and see that it's high time for hemp legalization.