Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Canada's small hemp industry is growing like a weed, but still faces some hurdles
because of its illegal and potent cousin, marijuana.
EDMONTON - Canada's small hemp industry is growing like a weed, but still faces some hurdles because of its illegal and potent cousin, marijuana.
This week, farmers, scientists, health food experts, retailers and fashion designers are meeting in Edmonton to celebrate hemp and discuss how to help products derived from the plant to blossom on world markets.
Kim Shukla, executive director of the Canadian Hemp Trading Alliance, says production in this country is forecast to almost double by 2015.
"That will translate to about $100 million to the Canadian economy," she said from her farm near Steinbach, Man. "Saskatchewan is by far the leading province, followed by Manitoba and Alberta."
Both hemp and marijuana stem from the Cannabis sativa plant family, but hemp contains virtually none of the elements of the THC compound found in marijuana that makes people high.
The 200 or so growers across the country are all licensed by Health Canada and can only plant seeds that have been approved by the federal government.
Canadian hemp growers are more interested in filling food bowls than bong bowls.
Hemp is filled with nutritious Omega 3 and 6 and is used to make breakfast cereals, pretzels, protein powders, salad dressings and lactose-free milk.
Fibre from the hardy plant is made into building products, paper and clothes. Hemp oil is used to make cosmetics.
Shukla said Canada's main market for hemp products is the United States, where the federal government has been leery of approving cultivation of the plant because it looks similar to marijuana.
But U.S. officials have no problem with Canadian-grown hemp products. Demand for health food and other products derived from the plant is high.
"Everyone is much more conscious about their health," she said. "That is a market that hasn't even nearly reached what the potential is."
The hemp business is downright respectable in Canada.
Alberta's agriculture minister is to open the convention and trade show today and the federal government plans to make a funding announcement in support of Canada's growers.
Ever wonder why Canada grows it? It's because the hemp people there, like Roger Snow of Rocky Mountain Grain Products, are more action than talk, in fact, he keeps such a low profile that people look at me funny when I mention him. He had 10,000 acres under cultvation. Made money. Kept busy.
ReplyDeleteWhich is key if the US hemp movement is going to exist at all - and unity is another factor, the Canadians talked to the government as a group and knew what they wanted and did not blow smoke in the face.
But there are plenty in the US who are busy, and while not getting as much attention, are getting the job done, like Mina Hegaard of Minawear, who has gone so far as to get a petition to the White House - already got great support from people like Cynthia McKinney - it's at www.minawear.com/about-us/
Also check out her brother's site: www.hempforvictory.blogspot.com