Some people need weed.

[Joods]

Aside from recreational or medicinal use, there is another aspect we should think about. Commercial farming. Did you know that back during WW2 that Hemp products were widely used and accepted by the US Navy? There are currently over 25,000 different products that can be made from hemp. Nearly 30 countries allow for commercial hemp farming because it not only creates jobs, but it helps the economy, provides material for clothing and other goods, its fibers are some of the strongest natural fibers grown and it is obviously eco-friendly. Why the US won't allow this sort of production is beyond me, but since it is a natural plant, I personally don't think the government has the right to regulate it. Especially since the Native American Indians used it for many things long before this country was settled by outsiders. It is an excellent renewable resource, the worlds leading renewable resource according to Canada.



Government of Canada: Industrial Hemp article  

As the world's premier renewable resource, hemp has been the source of food and fibre for the past 10,000 years. Hemp fibre has been used to make clothing, ropes, and paper; the grain has been stewed, roasted, and milled for food; and the oil derived from the grain has been used for cosmetics, lighting, paints, varnishes, and medicinal preparations.

Here's an interesting article from Forbes.com.

Industrial hemp was once a dominant crop on the American landscape. This hardy and renewable resource (one of the earliest domesticated plants known, with roots dating back to the Neolothic Age in China) was refined for various industrial applications, including paper, textiles, and cordage.

You can read the rest of the articles via the links.