Canadians Find That Hemp
Fields Are No Rose Garden.
Starting A New Crop Has Many Complications
(Marijuananews note: I am sometimes concerned
that industrial hemp will be hurt by unrealistic expectations. It takes several years to
ramp up production of most new industries. RC)See
Health Canada Has
Received 750 Applications From Farmers To Grow Industrial Hemp,
And Has Approved More Than Two-Thirds Of Them.
and
Depressed Commodity
Prices Cause Explosion In Western Canadian Hemp Planting
– Too Much Too Soon?
HEMP CO-OP UNDECIDED ABOUT FUTURE CROP
July 8, 1999
From The Grand Forks Gazett
gfgazadv@sunshinecable.com
By Michael Chouinard
A year ago, local hemp growers were busy putting their crop in the ground after getting
a licence from the federal government marking the first time in about 60 years that the
government has allowed commercial hemp production.
Despite initial optimism, by the end of the summer it was
becoming clear that hemp was a tough crop to market in the short term.
It was also a tough crop to harvest as the Granby Hemp Co-op discovered when they tried
to cut down the crop at their plot on North Fork Road. Equipment was getting clogged from
the hemp stalk’s tough fibre.
Hemp co-op president Lee Wells estimates that planting the minimum 10 acres would cost
the co-op agout $5,000 this year. As well, the more profitable parts
of the plant such as the seed are far more heavily regulated and require more paperwork.
"Until we get our processes refined, we’re going to run into these
problems," Wells says.
It’s no surprise the co-op is taking a wait-and-see approach as to what it should
do about planting in the future. Wells says there was talk this spring about calling a
meeting but nothing has happened.
The situation here is not unusual for B.C. hemp growers. Wells
was talking recently to a Ministry of Agriculture official in Kamloops who said the
prospects for the industry this summer are not good. Last year was a difficult year for
most of the groups who obtained a commercial licence to plant crops.
Wells was recognized June 10 for his efforts to promote hemp as an alternative resource
when he was nominated for an Ethics in Action award, an honor given by VanCity credit
union and a group called the Workplace Ministry Society. Although he did not win at the
ceremony held in Vancouver, he was chosen as one of the 12 finalists among the 40 groups
and individuals nominated.
Supported