The letter below is from Rep. Steven LaTourette to a Vote Hemp supporter in reply to a letter asking him to become a sponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011.

Rep. Steven LaTourette
(R-OH 14th District)

If you receive a reply from one of your elected representatives please email a copy of it to us at hempinfo@votehemp.com. It will help with our lobbying efforts to know the contents of these letters. We will not publish your name or address and hold them in confidence.

May 19, 2011

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act (H.R. 1831). It is good to hear from you.

"Industrial hemp" is a term that refers to cannabis plants that are grown to produce fiber and oil used in industrial products. The end products made from cannabis plants, such as paper, rope, clothing and industrial solvents, are referred to as hemp products. All cannabis plants -- including those grown for industrial hemp -- contain marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), which are hallucinogenic substances listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

H.R. 1831 was introduced by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) on May 11, 2011, and was referred to both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana and thereby allow for legal cultivation of hemp. While I do not serve on either committees, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should this bill come to the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I hope you will continue to keep in touch. I remain

Very truly yours,

Steven C. LaTourette
Member of Congress

SCL/MB