Hemp and Pot

While I sympathize with the hemp growers attempts to distance themselves from the Stoners and Slackers who get wasted on that evil marijuana, I wonder if they are really helping themselves by promoting an untruth.

Hemp and marijuana are NOT different plants; they are merely cultivars of the same species, much like Great Danes and Yorkshire Terriers are still dogs.

Hemp plants have been selected for low THC content (accidently) and tall stalk growth. Marijuana plants have been selected for moderate THC content (intentionally) and bushy growth. Hemp cultivation incourages stalk growth and discourages flowering; marijuana cultivation incourages flowering and discourages stalk growth.

However, if either hemp or marijuana is allows to grow wild (like the ditch weed in the Midwest, most of which is escaped WWII era hemp), over a few generations both will regress toward the norm, and both will result in a relatively tall plant with a moderately low THC content -- enough to get high on, but not really that enjoyable. And for those of you with a do-it-yourself bent, save the residue from your Hash crop and weave a shirt out of it.

I realize that marijuana legalizers, medical marijuana users, and hemp growers are just fellow travelers and not true allies; but all three groups will be better served if their campaigns are founded on the truth.