Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 9, 1993                   TAG: 9306090303
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DON'T LET OPPORTUNITY GO UP IN SMOKE

The most recent example of high quality was the June 1 letter entitled "Look again at hemp as a primary fuel" by Richard Godfrey, a retired manufacturer. Godfrey obviously knows his business.

Hemp is indeed a valuable source of high-quality fuel and fiber, and it is way past time we began tapping this underutilized fuel, fiber and medicinal crop. The United States is one of the last nations to recognize that hemp is back to stay. Its use as a smoking herb is a very small and relatively insignificant part of its potential.

Earlier this year, England joined other members of the European Economic Community in legalizing anew hemp farming. It agreed to start paying subsidies to farmers raising the crop.

Isn't it about time our once-progressive and powerful nation woke up and smelled the coffee and the hemp?

JACK FRAZIER

PETERSTOWN, W.VA.