Hemp and hybrid cars: A perfect marriage?

Tired of record oil profits, let's change America!

Tonight, when the President gives his State of the Union address, one of his main topics is expected to be energy. Oil and gasoline prices are rising and will continue to rise. Some have speculated that oil could even rise to $262 per barrel (more).

Thus many, such as Fortune, are speculating that the President is going to plug alternative fuels and energy, especially ethanol.

I've written about ethanol, diesel and biodiesel many times. I don't see them as the answer. I do; however, see them as an important part of the solution.

My solution, on the other hand, is flex-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles. The technology already exists today and will only become significantly better. Moreover, it is far cheaper than hydrogen. Additionally, such technology gives consumers the widest array of clean and efficient fueling choices - we don't want to put all of our eggs in one basket.

But, back to ethanol. If ethanol makes gasoline cheaper, then demand will simply increase, and much more ethanol will be needed. Where will all this ethanol come from? How many pesticides and fertilizers will be needed? What happens if there is a drought?

Couldn't hemp address many of these issues?

Hemp is not marijuana and the government has legalized hemp in the past to help fight wars. Why not legalize it again?

Hemp grows like a weed, doesn't need fertilizers, is drought resistant and helps enrich the soil. Thus, it could very efficiently provide a massive amount of material to convert into ethanol, while protecting the environment.

Ethanol and hybrid cars provide the tools to drastically change America in just a couple of decades to the benefit of everyone and America can start right now.

Will America care? Unfortunately, I doubt it, there just isn't enough bling in it.