Peter Reynolds

I was very impressed today with the Hemp CBD Expo in the NEC, Birmingham.  Well done to the organisers, enjoy your success.  You struck a tricky and well judged balance.

I will be one of many ready to work with you to make your September show even better.

Some will call me pedantic because the meaning of words does evolve and I veer towards libertarian on any question restricting free speech.  But the ‘N’ word is rightly unacceptable and we should treat the ‘M’ word the same. I was dismayed to hear it used in the UK today.  Let’s not hear it again.

To be clear, it has an equally abhorrent history.  It wasn’t in general use in the USA or anywhere else until Harry Anslinger deliberately promoted it as a racist trope in his campaign to demonise cannabis.

Now, I accept, it is deeply embedded in American parlance and it will take time to change but let’s stop it this side of the Atlantic now.