The letter below is from Rep. Andre Carson 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. Andre Carson
(D-IN 7th District)

If you receive a reply from one of your elected representatives please email a copy of it to Tom Murphy, Vote Hemp's National Outreach Coordinator, at tom@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 20, 2011

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me to voice your support for the legalization of hemp for industrial use.

Drug use of all kinds is an epidemic among America's youth. The use of marijuana, known as a "gateway drug," has been linked to the eventual use of other more elicit and dangerous drugs and thus must be heavily restricted.

However, as you know, industrial hemp production can be very profitable for farmers and processors. If the industrial farming of hemp is to be legalized it must be done under the strictest scrutiny from federal, state and local governments. As a Representative of a highly industrial Congressional district, I would support such legalization initiatives if current efforts to reduce marijuana trafficking and use are maintained.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns about this important issue. Thank you for contacting me and please let me know if I can be of assistance to you on other matters.

Sincerely,

André Carson
Member of Congress

AC/mk