From VoteHemp.org
Press Release
February 2, 2004
CONTACT: Adam Eidinger
Vote Hemp Releases Voter Guide on Presidential
Candidates
Kucinich Scores A+ Rating;
Edwards Undecided but Supports Research
Clark, Kerry Not Men of Their Word: Did Not
Answer Survey Despite Promise
WASHINGTON, DC – Vote Hemp released
today ratings of the leading presidential candidates to help voters
nationwide learn more about their views on non psychoactive industrial
hemp. The results of the survey are available at www.VoteHemp.com.
Candidates were given a letter grade reflecting
their views and willingness to participate in the “2004 Vote
Hemp Candidate Survey,” which asked the candidates if they
support: hemp farming and processing in the U.S. under a straightforward
regulatory regime similar to those in the EU, Canada and other
countries; states’ rights to study hemp farming and processing
without federal interference; hemp fiber products for construction,
automotive, paper, textile and other industries; and hemp food
products in the face of the Bush Administration’s attempt
to ban them. The survey results are crucial for an increasing
number of U.S. farmers, environmentalists and entrepreneurs who
are seeking reform in laws affecting the cultivation and processing
of industrial hemp and hemp products in the United States.
“After spending three months trying
to get these candidates to respond to our survey, it is clear
that most of them have not researched this issue and choose to
remain ignorant on the benefits of industrial hemp.” says
Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp, the leading organization
dedicated to the recommercialization of hemp agriculture and industry
in the United States. “Only Democrat Dennis Kucinich, Green
Party Candidate David Cobb and Libertarian Gary Nolan received
‘A’ grades,” says Steenstra.
Representative Dennis Kucinich replied to
the survey just two weeks after receiving it. He expressed full
support for keeping hemp food products legal, despite the Drug
Enforcement Administration’s attempt to ban edible hemp.
He also supports allowing farmers to grow hemp and would loosen
restrictions on industrial hemp research. He is by far the strongest
supporter of hemp among Democrats.
Senator John Edwards was at first reluctant
to answer the survey, but after getting a direct question in New
Hampshire from Vote Hemp National Coordinator Tom Murphy, Edwards
personally promised to answer the survey. Edwards got a “B-”
rating for keeping his promise and supporting states’ rights
to research industrial hemp without federal interference. However,
he remained “undecided” on the legality of hemp food
and hemp cultivation. As an interesting side note, Edwards grew
up in Robbins, NC, a town that from 1904 to 1943 was named “Hemp”
due to hemp agriculture’s prominence as one of America’s
most important crops before the “Reefer Madness” hysteria
of last century.
Governor Howard Dean received a “C-”
grade based on his past neutral position on pro-industrial hemp
legislation that became law in Vermont without his signature in
1996. Dean’s failure to respond to the Vote Hemp survey despite
publicly stating that he would give his position on any issue,
and his clear neglect of his staff’s recommendations to reply,
resulted in his below average rating.
Both the Reverend Al Sharpton and Senator
Joe Lieberman received “D-“ grades for failing to respond
to the survey after numerous attempts to contact them.
Senator John Kerry and General Wesley Clark
received “F” grades for publicly promising they would
answer our survey and, even after extending deadlines to accommodate
them, breaking their word by failing to respond. Unfortunately
both Kerry and Clark chose to play politics instead of honoring
their public promises.
President George W. Bush received an “F”
grade for overseeing the DEA’s assault on industrial hemp
over the past few years. His campaign responded to the survey
by saying they were not established yet and later refused to respond.
Hundreds of U.S. businesses, mainly small
or family operations, manufacture for resale or own stores that
sell a wide variety of products made from industrial hemp. Products
made with hemp fiber and seed are sold in thousands of retail
stores across the country, including chain stores like Wal-Mart,
Staples, Whole Foods Market and The Body Shop. Hemp fiber composites
are in over two million U.S. cars made by Ford, DaimlerChrysler
and other auto-makers. Unfortunately, American companies must
import hemp fiber and seed from Canada, Europe and Asia. This
is despite the fact that hemp grows well in all 50 states and
the U.S. has a long and rich history of hemp farming dating back
to Colonial times when George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
grew hemp on their farms and widely promoted the use of hemp.
A recent Zogby poll of 1,000 likely U.S. voters showed that 66%
support allowing U.S. farmers to grow industrial hemp.
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