>Subject: Traditional Medicine vs Noxiuos Weed Laws
>Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 11:5:45
>From: "Ava Devenport" <essenheal@iname.com>
>To: "agriculture activist" <agriculture-activist@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
>
>I'm interested in learning whether anyone, other than myself, has come
>head to head with USDA and NRCS regarding the cultivation of traditional
>medicinal plants. I had plan to cultivate Mullien only to find that in
>my area (Southwest CO) Mullien is considered a noxious weed and is actually
>'illegal' to cultivate.
>
>Part of my plans as an herbalist was to turn a portion of my land into a
>sanctuary for the preservation, cultivation and germplasm repository for
>at-risk and endangered native medicinal plants. The noxious weed laws
>seem to prevent me from planting and harvesting many of the traditional
>medicines that I use in my practice and my business. Is there anyway
>around these laws, protecting my rights?
>
>What will happen when, once again, another native plant hits the
>endangered list or simply 'disappears' due to thoughtless eradication because the
>plant is 'simply a weed'. Nature gave these life-giving plants to us
>from the beginning of time, how can we consciously support the total
>extinction of certain plants because we, as agriculturists, have decided without
>any prior thought or investigation, that it is better to dispose of such
>plants.
>
>I understand the need to keep some hearty growers in check. I
>understand the constant tilling and weeding so that some plants don't take over
>your main crops, but has anyone considered the use of 'weed plants' as an
>additional cash crop? Most weeds are herbs, most are extremely valuable
>in todays market, most require little or no care. They can withstand
>drought, poor soil, direct sun. Many are becoming very rare due to unethical
>wildcrafting. We are changing the ecological balance of man and
>nature. Don't kill them, research them. Use them at home, eat (most) them in
>salads for the extra nutritional value, sell them. Make teas, tinctures
>and salves.
>
>Save the weeds!
>
>Namaste,
>Ava
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