Meeting Persephone

I sometimes find it difficult to correspond with our representatives. Living in the "near south" I am frequently forced to encounter different ideals far from my own. I began writing letters about every little thing that bothered me and that got me absolutely nowhere at all. I acknowledge that the politicians are seldom if ever reading those letters for themselves but instead paying some intern or aid to click "send" and return to me a form letter including a link to their website where I am welcomed to research their position on all matters. Always gratifying when you've taken the time to write a well thought out letter on subject matter that is important to you. I finally decided to take a different tact with my letter writing. Instead of harping on them for every little thing that I'm bothered by I've decided to focus primarily on one issue that I can really work into their minds and offer a great deal of knowledge which I anticipate will eventually turn some opinions. It's begun to pay off in some small way - one representative responded to me personally and although his answers are completely programmed, I take it as a sign that someone decided it was time for him to see what I had to say.

Here is the letter I've sent to him in response:


I know one thing and that is you and I see nothing the same way. If you would like to learn more about cannabis and hemp, I would be happy to offer you information and resources. You certainly have not received even a small fraction of the information available to us all if we choose to think for ourselves. There is a great deal of information out there based on fact that has nothing to do with the propaganda that is decidedly archaic to say the least. If you care to address the matter with me, it would serve that you have actual knowledge about it so we can carry on a productive conversation that will benefit the people. I assume that with your interest and background in farming that you would, at the very least, be interested in helping those who make their living in agriculture.

As I also know, cannabis comes from a plant much like tomatoes or corn. It is utilized for medication, food, cloth, plastics, paper, etc. Unlike alcohol or tobacco, cannabis is used in its unadulterated state. There is no distillation or manufacturing necessary for this plant to be useful. It does no damage to the Earth, grows easily, and uses few nutrients as it grows making it an ideal crop for not only profit but also the environment. One acre of hemp has as many uses and applications as it takes four acres of trees or cotton to rival and is a perennial crop as opposed to the tens if not hundreds of years it takes for trees to re-grow. Its durability as a cloth means that our clothing could be handed down to generations because of its long fibers as opposed to the very short fibers of cotton. With all of these benefits it frightens me to think that the goal of prohibition is to eradicate this wholly useful plant that may eventually be lost to us forever and unable to regain access to in our need as other natural resources are rapidly depleting.

Regarding the FDA, it might be of benefit for you to know that the United States holds at least two patents for the medical benefits of cannabinoids (as neuroprotectants and antioxidants). In order for a drug to be Schedule I it must have no medical benefits whatsoever and yet the US has obtained patents via The Department of Health and Human Services. Please see: US Patent for cannabinoids. If cannabis has no medical benefits, why does the US hold a patent for it? And if it does have medical benefit, how can it be a Schedule I drug? This current situation is the height of hypocrisy and must be addressed.

I’m sure that if you believe cannabis to be a gateway drug, you may also see that the current policies aren’t working and you may agree that a new approach is in order. Minimizing the potential for contact with other illicit drugs should be the priority but leaving cannabis a completely illegal and unregulated drug does not do the trick. By maintaining its status as an illegal drug you leave the decisions as to who may obtain it in the hands of drug dealers who most certainly have access to even more dangerous drugs. They do not ask for ID, they will sell to whoever has the cash they demand. As a mother of a teenager I'd much rather my daughter not have the easy access to drugs that many of her classmates have as a result of the failed prohibition. In fact, it is the teenagers who have the easiest access to these drugs. As a result of their contact with drug dealers they also come into contact with far more dangerous drugs and since they've been told that all of these drugs are equal in their danger, they seem to have no problem trying those even more dangerous alternatives when they realize that nothing horrible has happened to them after trying cannabis. This is something that I would most certainly like to avoid but because of the illegal status it makes it difficult to keep children away from unsavory characters. With regulation similar to alcohol and tobacco, cannabis would be at least as difficult for our children to obtain. Fortunately, I have raised my daughter with honesty regarding drugs and she has not found the need for them. Honesty, not propaganda and rhetoric, are our best tools in the prevention of drug abuse.

When you are ready to think outside of the box and come to terms with the reality of the growing knowledge about cannabis (not "marijuana" this is a derogatory term used to incite bigotry toward the Mexican population) I will be more than happy to aid you in that department. It would really behoove the elected officials of this country to pay heed to the desires of their constituents or you will all see yourselves the way of Bennett (R-Utah). We are voters after all.

I would recommend that you view the information presented by L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) to alter your understanding of just who is behind the interest in legalizing hemp and cannabis in this country. Their website can be found at LEAP. We are not a movement made up only of “hippies” and ne’er-do-wells as the media and politicians would have everyone believe. There are a great many people in this country tired of the policies that currently reign and are fed up with those ramped up efforts used to convict people of victimless crimes using up so many of our much needed resources including money and officers.

I do look forward to hearing your original thoughts on this matter as opposed to the rhetoric that you offered in your email.


I haven't heard back from him yet. I'm sure he didn't expect me to be able to argue his points (gateway drug, Schedule I drug, protecting children, etc.) and so I may not hear anything for some time if at all.

I have, in a sense, a great advantage in my arguments in that I am completely clean of all illicit drugs. I'm not a user - though I would like to have the legal opportunity for medical reasons - and in some way I think that may add a bit more weight to my arguments even if it shouldn't.