HEMP SUPPORTERS LOOK NORTH

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Canada's decision to let farmers grow industrial hemp
after a 60-year ban could provide just the political pressure needed to
persuade American regulators to lift their ban as well, hemp advocates say.

A North Dakota lawmaker who wrote legislation to study hemp's potential as a
cash crop says he doesn't expect the federal government to change its mind
overnight.

``But I think if it turns out that hemp is a viable crop that our farmers
could make some money with, certainly there would be a big push down here to
be allowed to grow it as well,'' added state Rep. Dave Monson of Osnabrock.

Canadian Health Minister Allan Rock said last week that farmers in that
country will be allowed to grow industrial hemp commercially in 1998.
Production will be highly regulated and permits will be required.

Industrial hemp fiber is used to make everything from paper, rope and
clothing to plastics and medicine. Several states are considering allowing
farmers to grow the crop.

In making the announcement, Rock said hemp farming has ``tremendous
potential'' for creating new jobs and boosting the agriculture economy of
the country. Supporters of legalized hemp farming say there is a $30-
million-a- year market for hemp products in North America.

It is that potential that hemp advocates fear U.S. farmers will miss out on
if regulators here don't revoke the growing ban.

Canada and the United States banned hemp farming in the late 1930s because
of its close association with marijuana. Hemp is a member of the cannabis
family that includes marijuana. While the plants appear similar, hemp
contains only minute traces of the substance in marijuana that gives smokers
their high.

Still, law enforcement agencies oppose legalizing hemp production because of
the difficulty in telling the two plants apart.

Hemp advocate Floyd Boutrous of Bismarck, whose sons operate a hemp clothing
maker in San Francisco, said U.S. laws prohibiting hemp are archaic.

His sons, for instance, must import pre-made fabric from other countries
where hemp production is legal.

North Dakota State University researcher David Kraenzel said there is no
shame letting Canada enter the hemp market first.

``There's advantages and disadvantages to being first,'' said Kraenzel, who
is leading the North Dakota State University hemp study provided by Monson's
bill.

``There's nothing wrong with being what I call the lead producer, but
there's nothing wrong with being the lead follower, either. Let those who
can afford to make mistakes lead the way,'' added Kraenzel, associate
director of the university's Institute of Natural Resources and Economic
Development.

Kraenzel's study is an attempt to determine whether hemp would be a viable
alternative crop in North Dakota, should the federal government ever make it
legal.

The probe will include an analysis of possible markets and the availability
of production and processing facilities. A final report is due by August.

Monson said he is eager to see the report and plans to watch what happens in
Canada very closely.

``Whatever Canada can do with it, we can, too,'' he said. ``If they can find
a way to make it work economically, there's nothing to say that we can't do
the same.''