NARCOTICS DIVISION SENDS COSMETICS TO LAB FOR DRUG TESTS

[Photo caption: Health benefit: the hemp products are advertised at a store.]

A cosmetics chain admitted yesterday it was selling products containing
hemp, a type of cannabis.

But the Body Shop said the level of Cannabis sativa (hemp) seeds was so low
it would be hard to detect and would not harm people.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau's narcotics division said it had sent
samples to the Government Laboratory for tests.

"At this stage, we are not sure if they really contain cannabis or
tetrahydro-cannabinol. THC is a type of psychotropical substance and could
affect nerves. It is a controlled drug in Hong Kong," a division spokesman
said.

Chan Man-fai, Government Laboratory senior chemist, said results should be
available this week.

He said it was illegal to keep or sell cannabis or products containing THC
- - a derivative of marijuana.

Body Shop spokeswoman Curi Yiu Kar-lei admitted it was aware the products
contained the substance.

The shop launched products containing hemp seeds last week, including lip
salve, soap and hand cream.

"We use hemp seeds because the oil extracted from these is known as highly
moisturising and good for skin care," she said.

Body Shop had launched the products in Britain, other European countries
and the United States and the products were legal, Ms Yiu said. Police in
France had seized the products in August but officers later admitted it was
a misunderstanding, she said.

"We, of course, are not promoting drugs. The THC contained in our products
is very, very low - every 1,000 grams will have less than three milligrams
of THC," she said.

"We are using industrial-use hemp seeds, which are different from
marijuana. Hemp seeds are usually used to make jeans and ropes."

Ms Yiu said the company was awaiting results from the laboratory.

Associate Professor Lee Kwing-chin from the Chinese University's department
of pharmacy said there were various types of THC and some were used in
medical treatment to prevent vomiting.

He said he could not rule out the possibility that drugs put on the lips
could enter the bloodstream and have an effect on the user.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski