Hemp could play a role in Iowa’s recovery

We need to go back in Iowa to the World War II era when Iowa farmers were encouraged to grow hemp for the use of rope for the U. S. military. Remember driving the country roads, hunting for pheasants in the 1950s and '60s? You saw a lot of “ditch weed” and wondered how it got here.

The “male” marijuana plant is illegal in the state of Iowa for reasons that I am still scratching my head. There is very little THC in the male pot plant. It is just another weed, dotting the Iowa countryside. The government must have felt that it was necessary to outlaw marijuana, the evil weed, to save our children. Fair enough.

But the male pot plant could be an economic boon to local farmers and gardeners today. No pesticides needed. Go green!

Making clothes, hats, bags, paper and countless other items right here in Linn County, what a concept! The state needs to repeal the “Reefer Madness” law and get with the program.

Tom McCullough

Cedar Rapids