HEMP CO-OP UNDECIDED ABOUT FUTURE CROP

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.