February 19. 1999

From the PR Newswire

Following Air Force One Controversy

Roddick wrote in response to controversy that emerged when it became known that Hemp beer has been served on Air Force One on the return of the President from Mexico. Clinton "broke the hemp barrier" despite U.S. military rules against hemp products imposed several weeks ago.

"Your framers wrote the Declaration of Independence on paper made from it ... Hemp makes you feel good without doing anything bad," wrote Roddick to Clinton.

Roddick’s letter to President Clinton follows:

Congratulations on breaking the hemp barrier on Air Force One.

Don’t go wobbly with misinformation: Hemp is a good product and it’s not a drug. Throughout the centuries, hemp helped build the pyramids, make paper and equip Viking ships with sails. George Washington farmed it. Your framers wrote the Declaration of Independence on paper made from it. FDR said it was patriotic to grow it. Hemp made products America and its allies used to win World War II. Hemp makes you feel good without doing anything bad.

Across the planet, firms and consumers use it for food, clothing, fuel and lotions to make people feel more comfortable in their own skin. Surely, your Air Force doesn’t have regulations against that!

Please accept with my compliments a set of The Body Shop Hemp products for use in the White House. We hope you will consider The Body Shop among your allies as you experience the benefits of products made with Hemp.