On the other hand, with work on new synthetics which could replace textiles with plastics, on the use of petroleum and diesel, instead of hempseed oil as a source of fuel, tranquillisers and anti-depressant drugs, along with all the chemicals needed to produce the new products, huge profits could be envisaged by these multinationals, simply by banning cannabis. Of course, cannabis was an old friend to many people. At some times it was law that farmers had to grow cannabis for rope and sails. When not needed the Government spread tales of 'Reefer Madness' and insanity amongst young users in order to discourage use and scare the people. This latter campaign has been so successful that most of those to whom power came now continue to believe the lies.
Cannabis continues to be banned.
The whole 'War on Drugs', with all its disastrous social consequences, is based upon cannabis. Any questions to our political leaders are usually side-stepped, the issues ignored, the debate stifled and the lies about addiction, brain damage, memory loss etc, repeated. The many uses of cannabis are ignored because of these untruths. It would take only large bags of hemp seed to start crops which could be used as essential foods in a matter of months. There would be no expensive chemicals needed to protect the crop from pests.