Aloha USDA

Cannabis was made illegal because it competed too favorably with a number of industries, which seem to be violently allergic to any form of competition.  At the convenience of the government it was made not only legal to grow during World War 2, it was mandatory to grow; however, after the war, it returned to its illegal status, much to the inconvenience of everyone else.  Why cut down old growth forests that take centuries to regenerate when you can grow a plant that grows like a weed, because that's what it is.  The petroleum industry could save money on exploration, drilling and pipelines by growing large hemp farms.  Vehicles would have to be returned to operate on hemp fuel, but that's how Karl Benz powered his first cars.  The problem with industry is if a product doesn't make them a lot of money, they do not want you to have it and they'll make it as inconvenient as inhumanely possible.  The petroleum industry didn't like the idea of the Navy going green, so they jacked up the price and the World's Largest Nuclear Powered Janitorial Service decided against it.

Mahalo,
Dave Kisor
Pahoa, HI