Hemp is the next great crop — Guyana Hemp Association

Source: guyanachronicle.com

MEMBERS of the Guyana Hemp Association and its affiliates, including the newly formed Hemp for Victory Guyana Campaign Committee, have renewed their call for an engagement with President David Granger on the establishment of a viable Industrial Hemp Industry in Guyana.

The groups are of the opinion that there was a misunderstanding in the existing legislation, which deemed industrial hemp, which is a genus of cannabis – illegal.
They are further convinced that the law was mistakenly drafted and needs to be corrected immediately, the organisation said in a press release on Thursday.

The release said in 1961, the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs made a specific distinction in the Control of Cannabis Act, where there was no exclusion of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) from all cannabis legislations within member states.

Co-Chairman of the Guyana Hemp Association, Michael Kirton, in addressing the launching of the Hemp for Victory Guyana Campaign on Saturday last, said the legislation of Industrial Hemp production in the country will create thousands of jobs at every income level; create new industries; build the economy and eradicate poverty and importantly too, being a green initiative, will complement the Government’s thrust for a green environment and green economy.

Kirton emphasised that no other natural resource offers the potential of industrial hemp, as it is capable of producing significant quantities of paper, textiles, building materials, food medicine, paint, detergents, varnish, ink, fuel and according to one source, more than 25,000 products can be made from hemp.

“Unlike other crops, hemp can grow in most climates and on most land throughout Guyana and the world, with moderate water and fertiliser requirements, no pesticides and no herbicides,” he added.

A GOOD PLANT
The co-chairman emphasised that not only is hemp being used for an astonishing number of products, but its environmental benefits are impressive.

Hemp for Victory Guyana Campaign was launched Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Double AA Happy Hearts Restaurant and Lounge, 38 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, with Chairman Lindon Jemmott calling on Guyanese to join the Hemp revolution and support the legislation for the cultivation of industrial hemp and the manufacturing of the wide variety of hemp products in Guyana.

According to Jemmott, the Hemp for Victory Guyana Campaign is aimed at sensitising the nation on the tremendous personal gains, as well as the massive economic, social and environmental benefits the country will gain from the establishment of a viable industrial hemp industry.

“We forecast a bright future for Guyana’s Hemp, which will generate thousands of jobs at all new levels; create thousands of jobs at all income levels; create new industries; build our economy and eradicate poverty.”

Meanwhile, the co-chairman emphasised that hemp is a crop that can revolutionise profitability to the country’s agricultural sector, including returning the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to profitability in the shortest possible time with the cultivation of the abandoned cane lands at Wales and other GuySuCo lands countrywide. The factories can be refurbished to produce hemp products and at the same time protect the environment in sustainable ways, Kirton contends.

He urged President David Granger and the APNU+AFC Administration to swiftly remove the legislations and restrictions for the establishment of the industrial hemp industry in Guyana.

The Hemp for Victory Guyana Campaign activities will include media publicity countrywide, outreach programmes, meetings with stakeholders, including the government, businesses and other groups, as well as sports and cultural events and meetings with Hemp lobbying groups worldwide.