During World War II, farmers were encouraged to grow hemp for cordage to replace manila hemp previously obtained from Japanese-controlled areas. The US government produced a film explaining the uses of hemp called, "Hemp for Victory."

In America we can't grow hemp without obtaining a government permit; however, all the rules and regulations make it cost prohibitive for most people so it remains cheaper to import.

The argument that people could conceal marijuana plants within a field of hemp doesn't hold water because hemp would croud the marijuana and compete for nutrients and sunlight. The more believable reason hemp remains illegal is because it would cut into the profits of other industries, like energy, timber and paper.

More of us should advocate for the legalization of hemp if we truly want to end our dependence on foreign oil and wars to guarantee our access to it.

Votehemp.org has a wealth of information on the topic, and I recommend the site to anyone who doesn't understand the difference between marijuana and hemp.