Six Questions: Shawn Patrick House Talks to the Alliance

Shawn Patrick House is owner and president of the Hempzel Pretzel Company, a Pennsylvania bakery that uses non-psychoactive hempseed in its products. A member of the Hemp Industries Association, House spends quite a bit of time educating the public about the difference between hemp and marijuana. He is a member of the Libertarian Party and ran for two local offices in the late 1990s.

1. How did you get involved in drug-policy reform?

Through the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and my business in the hemp industry.

2. What is your current role in the field?

Since July 2000, I've been the owner of Hempzels, a company that sells crunchy & soft pretzels & other hempseed based food products. I signed the Test Pledge for THC standards in hemp foods and am a member of the Hemp Industries Association.

I help to answer questions by concerned consumers and business people about the difference between commercial industrial hemp and recreational/medicinal cannabis sativa. I supplied pretzels for the protest against the DEA in its attempt to put ambiguous language into the Federal Registry re: "any THC" vs the protocol developed by the Canadian Health Ministry of 10ppm THC, which has been accepted by the USDA for human consumption.

3. What is your most memorable drug war moment?

Meeting Peter McWilliams, author of Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do, in Washington DC at the National Libertarian Conference, and later being asked to deliver his eulogy. Peter McWilliams was put in jail for self medication & later died... a terrible tragedy that will stay with me forever.

4. What challenge would you most like to see the drug-policy reform movement overcome this year? 

Petty differences put aside by the myriad of groups basically fighting for the same thing. Also, we must overcome the fear of fighting for the total end of prohibition without having the government playing a role in regulation.

5. One sentence, please, that sums up your views on drug-policy reform.

Just say know - knowledge is key to ending ignorance.

6. What is your advice to fellow reformers who want to be more active in the field?

Learn from ALL groups - get involved, but don't succumb to diplomacy and encourage the State to stay out of your business. Don't give up YOUR inalienable right to self-medicate & enjoy all of God's creations and voluntary interaction with all individuals.

I look forward to looking back to these days when the sky was darkest but through our individual and group efforts we actually made a difference for the future of all mankind.