Letter: Briefly

MUCH as I applaud your interest in reform of the marijuana laws, there was a historical inaccuracy in your report ('The great and the good take a second pot shot', 19 July) about Release's continuing campaign.

George Washington grew Cannabis sativa on his plantation . Cannabis indica is the form of hemp grown for sailing ropes, whereas Cannnabis sativa is relatively useless for this purpose as it has a weaker fibre structure at the expense of a profusion of the flowering heads that provide marijuana smokers with their pleasure.

A study of Washington's dark-brown stained false teeth lends weight to the obvious conclusion as to the president's true intention in growing this crop.

Roger Thornton-Brown

London SW18