cannabisnews.com: Ryan Rejects Hemp Study 





Ryan Rejects Hemp Study 
Posted by FoM on February 24, 2001 at 07:48:37 PT
By James Fuller, Sun-Times Springfield Bureau
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Worries about drug use beat out farming issues Friday as Gov. Ryan vetoed legislation requiring a study of industrial hemp as a potential alternative crop in Illinois.Ryan said he was concerned the study would not require researchers to develop a plant free of THC, the chemical responsible for the high from marijuana, a genetic cousin to hemp. Nor would the study look into the impact of a hemp crop on law enforcement practices, Ryan said.
"I will not ignore the unified concern of drug treatment and prevention groups that the ultimate commercial cultivation and availability of a product that contains a mind-altering substance would leave open the prospect of substance abuse," the governor said.The bill would have enabled two state universities to study potential agricultural uses of hemp. But critics, including former federal drug policy chief Gen. Barry McCaffrey, said the initiative might encourage drug use.Ryan agreed with those concerns, saying a hemp crop could lead to a weakening of the enforcement of drug laws, and that the demand for hemp products is too meager to spend $1 million of taxpayer money for a study.In the House, lawmakers defeated a bill that would have limited ATM surcharges. The measure would have allowed banks to only charge fees to their own customers. Any ATM user without an account at the bank that owns the ATM would have been able to conduct transactions without a surcharge.A recent study by the Coalition for Consumer Rights found some instances where ATM users could face bank fees of up to $4 on the withdrawal of $20.The debate on the bill centered on whether a law restricting the ability of banks to set their own fees was unconstitutional. Opponents said rates should be set by competition within the industry, rather than by state regulation.Bill sponsor John Fritchey (D-Chicago) said the legislation was not unconstitutional, nor did it take profits away from the banking industry."This is an issue where 80 percent of the consumers in this state feel that the ATM fees are excessive and unnecessary," Fritchey said. "I'm not trying to take away profits from the banks."The bill fell 28 votes shy of passage.Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)Author: James Fuller, Sun-Times Springfield BureauPublished: February 24, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Sun-Times Co.Address: 401 N. Wabash, Chicago IL 60611Contact: letters suntimes.comWebsite: http://www.suntimes.com/Feedback: http://www.suntimes.com/geninfo/feedback.htmlRelated Articles:Gov. Ryan Should Weigh Fact Over Stereotype http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8372.shtmlHemp Bill Awaiting Ill. Governor's Approval http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8371.shtmlCannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on February 25, 2001 at 07:14:05 PT
We The People, In Order To Assist Law Enforcement
>>But critics, including former federal drug policy chief Gen. Barry McCaffrey, said the initiative might encourage drug use.  Right. So we can't spend $1M on a program that "might" encourage drug use. Didn't we just see last week that D.A.R.E. is -proven- to encourage drug use? And how much does D.A.R.E. cost? Oh, wait - DARE's salaries go to police officers. Industrial hemp wouldn't pay any police.
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Comment #5 posted by zenarch on February 25, 2001 at 05:41:29 PT
staying on message
"I will not ignore the (mindless meanderings) of drug treatment and prevention (propagandists) that the ultimate commercial cultivation and availability of a product that contains (no) mind-altering substance would leave open the prospect of (a thriving farm economy)," the governor said.
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Comment #4 posted by MikeEEEEE on February 24, 2001 at 23:49:57 PT
And the award goes to...
Here's to all those people afraid of a plant. They get the brain-less excuse for an anti award. Poor farmers will remain poor with this guy thinking for them...
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Comment #3 posted by Narcoleptic on February 24, 2001 at 18:41:30 PT
Let Me Be the First to Say
Thanks Governor Ryan - you saved the youth of Ill. from the horrible blight of industrial hemp addiction. . .. . . and gave a big middle finger to uppity farmers trying to find a crop that will actually make them some cash! Bravo!
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Comment #2 posted by jAHn on February 24, 2001 at 12:30:23 PT
mmmm-hmm!
"Ryan agreed with those concerns, saying a hemp crop could lead to a weakening of the enforcement of drug laws, and that the demand for hemp products is too meager to spend $1 "million of taxpayer money for a study."  Like "DRUG" enforcement isn't Screwed-up enough to call it "Weak?" ....oook...you make the rules-We'll break 'em-        -within the premises of Freedom, of course!
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Comment #1 posted by sm247 on February 24, 2001 at 10:27:55 PT
Jeers to Gov. Ryan
Gov Ryan for the jeer of the year award
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