THE HIP AND HEALTHY WORLD OF HEMP

Fiber Options is a small retail store tucked into the Village Green Square
(opposite Tapley's Pub) with a large punch promoting environmental and
conscience-minded products.

Now don't let the seriousness of the above statement put you off. This
store is brimful of tantalizing and delightful products including the
well-known Patagonia and Of the Earth clothing lines, including shirts,
jackets, pants, dresses and sweatersS all made from hemp. Sometimes the
hemp is mixed with organic cotton, wool or silk.

"You can look good and feel good about the clothes that you wear. We are so
much more than a clothing shop. Come see why," says Peter Skeels. So I did.

This store, where even the floorboards and shelving are made from

recycled wood, is the brainchild of partners Peter Skeels and Gord Johns.
Their third year in Whistler is coming up in November.

"We are very confident about our future here in Whistler, as more and more
people are now seeing the benefit of supporting a sustainable future," says
Peter.

Talking to Peter is, in itself, an education and I develop a cramp in my
hand as I try to record all the interesting facts he is telling me.
Passionate and very knowledgeable about this amazing fiber, we bounce
around the store checking out all the terrific stuff.

Along with all the clothing there is also a fine line of hemp body care
products, soaps and skin care lines to tempt and treat your face and body.

The Hempola Lip Balm is well known among skiers, boarders and surfers; as
is the Hempola Cold Pressed Hempseed Oil, guaranteed to keep your body
running smoothly. Tree-free cards, photo albums and even hemp coffee
filters line the shelves along with jewelry and bags.

Fiber Options promotes the use of non-wood fibers and value added,
responsibly harvested wood products. By using tree-free products they help
reduce the demand for wood pulp. This is a great place to pick up unique
and desirable Christmas presents and Peter tells me that this weekend will
see a big summer clear out sale... barg ains!

Hemp Facts:

Hemp is scientifically designated as cannabis sativa of the mulberry family.

It's native to Asia, where fiber extracted from the stem was used to make
rope and strong fabrics for centuries.

Hemp has suffered a lot of bad public relations since the turn of the
century because hemp plants also produce marijuana. However, the
industrialized world has been somewhat rethinking its position in relation
to hemp. Canada has allowed industrial hemp to be grown on a large scale
since 1998.

Hemp is the longest lasting and strongest natural fiber on earth - three
times that of cotton. Cotton uses 26 per cent of the world's pesticides,
but hemp can be grown with little or none. Organic cotton, by the way, uses
little or no pesticides.

Hemp clothing are very easy care - just throw in the washer and dryer - no
worries or fuss. They are also 95 per cent UV protective.

Hemp was once vital to the world. For more than 6,000 years it has provided
a wide range of essential products. For instan ce, China developed the
world's first paper industry by using hemp (it doesn't turn yellow or brittle).

The Chinese also used hemp for ropes, fishnets and cloth; and hemp seeds
for food and oil.

The "canvas" on which Renaissance artists painted, took its name from the
word "cannabis."

Traders and settlers to North America were able to cross the Atlantic Ocean
because of the hemp ropes and sails of their ships. Unlike other natural
fibers, hemp sails resisted salt damage.

Hemp seed oil has some of the highest levels of essential fatty acids in
the plant kingdom, so stock up on hemp products to battle the dry skin and
hair of Whistler winters.

Slowly, hemp is becoming more and more mainstream. In fact, according to
Calvin Klein, he believes "hemp is going to be the fiber of choice in both
the home furnishings and fashion industries." The New York Times says "hemp
is now the height of fashion" and according to the U.S. News "hemp clothing
has become the status symbol for the ecofriendly."

Why Don't Yous

Check out other Fiber Option stores located in Tofino, Victoria and Salt
Spring Island?