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What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

This oft cited quote is only partially correct.

All the plants in this book, according to the weed act of alberta, are prohibited and noxious weeds. They are banned in many other provinces and states as well.

But they do have virtues They all contribute to our well being in ways you will discover in these pages. I think it is important to understand what industrial agriculture means by the term "noxious weed". They mean a plant that interferes with agri-business and therefore requires destruction with dangerous herbicides.

In a more self-aware agronomic culture, these so-called weeds would be harvested for medicine and food. The use of pesticides and herbicides, promoted by various petrochemical interests, would be banned by a progressive, enlightened agriculture policy that valued people's health. Instead, we have individuals trained by chemical company interests, telling people which plants are good and which are (ob)noxious.

They whom truth and wisdom lead, can gather honey from a weed. (William Cowper)

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows. (Doug Larson)