Hemp Rhetorical Analysis

Hemp: Industrial Crop or Dangerous Drug In society today, the Government has always argued both the pros and cons to legalizing the use of medical marijuana and hemp as an industrial harvest to make rope, fibers, oils, clothing and medication. In the article “The Battle Over Hemp on an Indian Reservation,” Virginia Heffernan argues that the Lakota family, The White Plumes, of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, should be able to grow each and every plant that might help the tribe get through this unyielding economical time. Heffernan effectively uses ethos, pathos and logos to actively support her argument in the article. Virginia Heffernan, Ph.D. English major from Harvard, began her television career in 2003 writing for the New York times which led her to work for the Sunday magazine as an internet columnist. She later co-authored a comic novel and became one of the first television critics. (New York Times Article .2007) Heffernan develops her credibility, or ethos, by using a documentary on PBS called “Standing Silent Nation” which was aired July 3, 2007, to show her support for the Lakota Family.(Heffernan). Heffernan focuses her
Other great logos used during the PBS documentary, included Mr. Woolsey interview who knows by everyday usage that the 25,000 versatile beneficial uses of hemp should undoubtedly allow the government to see there is no logically reason to ban hemp. By pointing out that hemp is only a cousin to marijuana proves evidence, or logos, that it does not have the same effects or uses as marijuana. Hemp has only 1% of THC compared to marijuana which has 20% and shows it is almost impossible to get high from. (Heffernan) As stated by Heffernan hemp does not contain significant levels of “the psychoactive substance THC,” which paints the picture of how harmless hemp