Ors, it wasn't just hemp.. he liked soy too (both the oil for fuel and the leftover mush for the early plastics he used). In general, he was pro farmer and wanted to increase their market. The oil companies were finding that their stake in the fuel game in jeapardy should they not completely dominate the situation. They did push the government to continue taxing alcohol (it was taxed heavily) and since Ford primarily pushed ethanol and not biodiesel, that was damaging to the burgeoning "growing automobiles from the ground" ideal Ford had. Oil magnates used smear campaigns telling folks that farmers were getting rich while their taxes were used to get them there. Which would have been quite the opposite... more alcohol production would have meant more taxes for the government.

Anyway along with Chemical and the Oil companies (very much in bed together) and World War II, I think there was a perfect storm for bio-engineering (from the plastic panels to the home-grown fuels). Farmers needed to grow crops for human and animal consumption for the war effort instead of for fuel. Hemp was needed for cordage, and chemical processing was well established with petroleum and although money was being put into experimentation across the board, I think the situation helped solidify the petrochemical industry.

Based on past and current antisocial/monopolistic/corrupt behavior of SOME organizations to spread FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) and their willingness to lobby and do whatever it takes to stay at the top, I don't think you need call it conspiracy theory. It's amazing what goes on under our noses. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Don't get me wrong, not all businesses are bad, and many try to make amends for past behavior when new leadership assumes command. But if we didn't allow passive subisdation of some of them by not holding them accountable for environmental damage (past, present and future) then the landscape would be very, very different indeed.

Okay, I'm trying not to come off as a nut job and I'm certainly not a pot-head. Ors is right on the money when it comes to Industrial Hemp. This article should be mandatory reading by all DEA, LEO, and government employee, including elected officials. Just for the record, I'm not interested in illicit drugs in any way, shape or form. I am, however, interested in our environment, our rural economy, and on intelligent discussion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />