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December 6, 1997

Senator Lloyd Casey
Agricultural Hemp Association - AHA Voter
P.O. Box 8671
Denver, CO 80201
Phone: (303) 298-9414
Email: ahavoter@aol.com

Dear Industrial Hemp Advocate,

One year ago the non-profit organization, AHA Voter, came into existence to provide a lobbying base for me, former Colorado State Senator, to help get a bill passed in Colorado and encourage legislators in other states to sponsor similar industrial hemp bills.

Rep. Kay Alexander did sponsor an industrial hemp bill in Colorado in 1997; the third year in a row for such a bill. I did testify, and got others to testify, and was a great help to Rep. Alexander.

Laura Kriho was with us each step along the way, as were Colorado farmers led by Bob Winter. It was Bob's third year in a row just as it was for others of us, including Tom Ballanco who came in from California. The bill got through the House Agriculture Committee, which had killed it in 1996, but it got sent to Appropriations, known as the "Killing Committee." It had no reason to be sent to that committee other than to kill it. Just a case of political hardball to let us all know the power still rests with the opposition.

Since that happened, in April, I have written to Thomas Constantine, Adminstrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and received an answer from a staff person along with a copy of Gen. McCaffrey's anti-industrial hemp position. Ken Friedman from American Hemp Mercantile, Mitch Cahn from Headcase and others came up with guidelines for responding to the McCaffrey position while we were at the HIA convention in Geyserville, CA in September.

Recently I have mailed 55 letters to senators and representatives in 32 states who are the chairpersons of agricultural committees. I hope the result will be that industrial hemp bills will be sponsored in at least twenty states in 1998.

What is keeping this effort from being more effective?

The answer is funding. We have worked on less than a shoestring since the beginning. Twenty-five persons have sent AHA Voter contributions of $20 to $50. Twenty-one persons have joined in the Excel long distance fund raising plan which is producing $35 to $50 per month. If you run those numbers you will find we have had $875 plus three months of an average of $40 per month. The attorney bills to get us organized have been $2,500 and monthly phone, computer and mailing costs are running $100 plus or minus $10. We have been into my retirement, which hasn't won me any peace on the home front.

The question from home is, "Why do you stay at it? You are not in office anymore. You are twice the age or more of most all who are trying to get the laws changed. You came close to dying a year ago. Let this hemp stuff be someone else's thing to do."

There are moments when I do feel like I'm nuts for sticking with it. But, the fact is, the people who have prevented us from growing industrial hemp are 100% wrong. They are people who play the 'holier than thou card' and people like that have bugged me since I can remember. This effort has become my determination to out live the bastards and I expect to live long enough to see industrial hemp become the agricultural and industrial business it deserves to be.

I'll stay at it regardless of the finances but it surely would be nice to have enough to pay the bills and put some money in the pockets of those who could then get the bill passed in a heart beat.

Sincerely,
Lloyd Casey

The Colorado Hemp Initiative Project hasn't asked for any money in a long time, but now we are asking for your help. Not for us, but for someone who has earned it through a lifetime of public service. I have had the honor of knowing and working with former state Senator Lloyd Casey since 1994. He is the most remarkable man I have ever known.

Senator Casey became the first legislator to introduce industrial hemp legislation in the U.S. in 1995. He is a 71-year-old World War II veteran who has been active in progressive causes since the Civil Rights movement.

He served as a Colorado state senator for four years and introduced hemp bills in 1995 and 1996. In 1996, he retired from his paying job as a quality control engineer at a computer firm. Just as he was getting ready to enjoy his retirement from his job and the Senate, he had a near-fatal heart attack in the fall of 1996. We thought we had lost this fine man, but showing his true Irish spirit, he recovered against all odds.

Senator Casey regained his health quickly and was able to lobby for the industrial hemp bill in 1997, which was sponsored by Rep. Kay Alexander who he had helped recruit before his heart attack.

He then formed a non-profit corporation, the Agricultural Hemp Association. The AHA Voter is a the political arm of that organization. It is registered as a federal 501 (c) (3) organization, able to accept non-tax deductible donations for political lobbying.

Senator Casey continues to work tirelessly to promote industrial hemp. He is trying to overcome law enforcement opposition to hemp and educate people and organizations about hemp. Most recently, he travelled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to discuss hemp production with tribal leaders.

This man won't give up! He is truly an inspiration to us all.

Senator Casey and his courage and integrity are a large reason the industrial hemp movement is where it is at today. In 1995, he introduced the lone hemp bill in the country. In 1996, three states sponsored industrial hemp bills. In 1997, 10 states saw industrial hemp legislation introduced. As he said, he would like see 20 states introduce hemp legislation in 1998. It is possible. If only he had the funding.

Senator Casey would like to be able to lobby full time to pass hemp legislation in Colorado. If adequate funding is available, he would be invaluable testifying as an expert witness in other states.

**Right now, he is shuttling rental cars 3 days/week 12 hours/day for $5.25/hour (minimum wage) to help pay for the debt he has incurred by paying for his hemp-related efforts out of his own pocket!!!**

Senator Casey has devoted most of his life to public service and progressive causes. And at 71 years old, he still has more to give! I say, we need to give him the chance. He shouldn't have to work for minimum wage or dip into his retirement to fund his political activities. He has years of political experience and connections that he should be able to use to their fullest. It is to our benefit to fund him. He is the best advocate for industrial hemp in the U.S., and he has earned our support.

Please, take the time to send Senator Casey a donation, whatever you can afford. Also, consider signing up for the Excel Long Distance service which donates 5% of your long distance bill to the AHA.

I guarantee that we will all benefit if Senator Casey is allowed to continue lobbying for industrial hemp. Please, help give him the chance.

Sincerely,

Laura Kriho
Colorado Hemp Initiative Project

** Donations (not tax deductible) can be made to: **
AHA Voter
P.O. Box 8671
Denver, CO 80201
Phone: (303) 298-9414
Email: ahavoter@aol.com

For information on how you can sign up for the Excel Long Distance Service, which will donate 5% of your long distance bill to AHA voter, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address.

Thank you for your support.

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