FIRST ISLAND HEMP CROP OFFERS BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

MONTAGUE -- It grows like a weed, but that's the only comparison P.E.I.'s
first commercial hemp crop has to its illegal cousin.

After being banned for 60 years, commercial hemp is now a legal crop in
Canada and Maurice Vandaele still can't get over the growth rate.

``It went beyond my expectations,'' says the 31-year-old farmer, almost
disappearing into a field of golden spears on his Kilmuir farm near here.

``If I'd been able to plant a few weeks earlier, it would have been over
our heads.''

Vandaele is the first licensed commercial hemp grower on Prince Edward
Island and by default, he's also president of the P.E.I. Hemp Growers
Association.

But that should change next year since almost 50 Island farmers are
requesting licences from the federal government to grow what is fast
replacing wood as a raw product for the pulp and paper industry.

Hemp is grown in over 20 countries around the world for rope, clothing,
pulp, and even food, but it was banned in Canada in 1938 because of its
family connections to marijuana. Commercial hemp -- lauded by supporters as
rope, not dope -- contains only trace elements of the TCH
(tetrahydrocannabinol) component which gives ``pot'' its high.

Earlier this year, former federal Justice Minister Alan Rock approved the
commercial planting of industrial hemp now being harvested in almost every
Canadian province.

And with the United States importing $100 million worth every year -- since
it's still illegal south of the border -- hemp is touted as a Cinderella
crop with a vast market potential.

To promote his new venture, Vandaele will host a Hemp Field Day this
Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. to introduce the public to a plant that has been
part of the world agricultural scene for over 10,000 years.

But while Vandaele's hemp crop has gone from seed to almost two meters high
in 90 days, most of his harvest is part of a research and development pilot
project. He will sell some to a Nova Scotia fibre plant, but any profit
from the $175 an acre seed is still down the road.

``You really need a hemp processing plant in the Maritimes to make it a
viable industry,'' offers Dr. Bert Christie, recently retired from
Agriculture Canada, who has consulted with Vandaele on the project.

``If that comes about, there is great potential.''

Agricultural specialists are also interested in the value of hemp as a
rotational crop for potatoes since it creates large amounts of organic
matter and appears to deter spud-damaging nematodes.

``It's an expensive crop to grow,'' says Vandaele. ``But the current value
per acre in Ontario is about $1,000.''

After spending months of research and waiting just as long for his permit,
which required RCMP investigation and approval, Vandaele planted his
``cannabis sativa'' seeds in early June.

So thick grew some of his seven varieties -- with only liquid manure
fertilizer -- they actually repelled weeds and required no herbicides or
pesticides. And so rich in organic matter, Agriculture Canada experts are
exploring the benefits of hemp as a rotational crop for beleaguered potato
land mined of soil nutrients.

Like a field of bamboo shoots, hemp grows closely together and crowds out
other competitors and at the top of its marketable stalk -- used for fibre
- -- is a pot of seeds which Vandaele is also harvesting for next year's supply.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan