N.C.  SHOOTING ITSELF IN THE FOOT YET AGAIN

Well, North Carolina does it again: Proposals from Buncombe County Democrats to explore using industrial hemp, as part of the state Democratic Party's platform, were rejected.  It's illegal to grow in the state because "its dried leaves and flowers can be used in making marijuana." Balderdash - pure bunkum.

The French developed cultivars in the 1930s, so industrial hemp and marijuana are distinct varieties of the cannabis plant.  But trust politicians not to know the facts.

For land's sake, Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp.  Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the colonial era and early republic days.

Hemp is legal to grow in Canada, Germany, England, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Thailand, Hungary and Romania.

In America, bills have passed to allow hemp cultivation in North Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland and West Virginia, with resolutions passing in Alaska, California, Kentucky, Montana, Virginia and Vermont, and with legislation in process in South Dakota, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon and Tennessee.

But not in North Carolina.  We've lost furniture to China, tobacco to health, tomatoes to Mexico, and now because of stupidity, we lose the chance for tobacco farmers to finally make some real money.

Peter Loewer,

Asheville