|
To: Members of both houses of the Arizona Legislature and the Appropriate Committees therein:
Dear Legislators:
I have reviewed the enclosed AZ-HEMP document entitled Legislative Goals 2001 provided me by Mr. T. Castleman, of Arizona Fuel & Fiber
and President of the Arizona Industrial Hemp Council. I agree with their primary goal of establishing neutral research to be conducted by and at the
three Arizona Universities. The goal of the research is to allow the Legislature and all other interested parties to evaluate the proposition that Arizona can deregulate industrial hemp to the extent sufficient for
production of the crop in Arizona.
I have had extensive discussions with Mr. Castleman and others concerning industrial hemp. Based on my own review of a significant
amount of the available literature, I am also familiar with the many beneficial historical, present and potential uses of the plant.
I believe that any research conducted should involve appropriate law enforcement agencies in designing experiments and in evaluating results.
Clearly it will be important to make certain that any work conducted address all legitimate concerns attendant to any proposed deregulation of the plant for industrial purposes.
I therefore consider these 2001 Legislative Goals of AZ-HEMP appropriate and believe that research on potential for industrial hemp in
Arizona should be undertaken as soon as practicable.
The Morrision School of Agribusiness and Resource Management, Arizona State University East, has the facility, staff and personnel to
oversee this project so as to coordinate the research at all three of Arizona’s Universities.
Inasmuch as I have had over fifty years of experience in managing projects
of this nature, I am certain, in concert with colleagues at the three universities, we can assure the Legislature of results of the highest quality. For your convenience, I attach my resume.
Sincerely,
Richard S. Gordon Professor Emeritus
East Campus Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management Mail Code 0180 7001 East Williams Field Road, Building 20, Mesa, AZ 85212 (480) 727-1585 Fax: (480) 727-1961
|