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I am a 55-year-old mother of three and grandmother of two and believe Nebraska should reverse its 86-year-old ban on marijuana.

We need to legalize the recreational use of marijuana and open a new market for our farmers with industrial hemp.

In 2012, Nebraska had 1,779 alcohol-related auto crashes, 1,209 alcohol-related injuries and 81 deaths. I was unable to locate any statistics for accidents, injuries or deaths related to marijuana use in our fair state.

States that have legalized medical use of marijuana have seen a 14 percent reduction in high-blood-alcohol content fatal crashes as an unforeseen bonus. Alcohol and cigarettes are addictive and dangerous to our health yet legal and taxed in our state.

Hemp seeds can be used for oil, food, flour, fuel and paint. The stalk fiber can be used for fabric, insulation, carpeting, paper, paint and even plastics.

Come on, Nebraska. Let's pull up our big boy pants and do this. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp. But I'm not certain if they inhaled.

Sheri Apa, Lincoln

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