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Some strains of the cannabis plant contain between 2 and 20% of a substance called THC which has euphoriant and medicinal properties. THC-rich cannabis hemp is also known as Indian hemp and is used in two primary forms: As dried leaves and flowers ("marijuana") or as compressed resin and other plant material ("hashish"). It is either inhaled or eaten. In China and Egypt cannabis has been used as a medicine for at least 5000 years and it is probably one of the most thorougly researched drugs in the world. There has never been even one death from a cannabis overdose or from an allergic reaction to the drug. Drug abuse experts rate it about as addictive as coffee.
Industrial hemp is legal to grow in 29 countries worldwide (including all G7 nations except the USA) and is explicitly exempt from international drug treaties, under which it need not be subject to stricter regulations than spinach or tomatoes. Growing hemp for horticultural purposes is also exempt. Usually varieties of cannabis grown for fibre and seed are low in THC (< 1% THC) but high in CBD which counteracts the effects of THC, making these plants completely unusable as a recreational drug, even if their THC content was as high as 1%. We believe that as a valuable renewable resource hemp should be re-introduced into agriculture and industry. We also think that spiritual, medical and recreational use of cannabis should not be punished as a crime. Cannabis drugs for non-medical use should be subject to regulations and taxes similar to those for alcohol and tobacco.
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