POLITICIANS CALL FOR LEGALISATION OF HEMP

BISHO (ECN) - The legalisation of the hemp industry could "transform much
of rural Transkei from rural poverty to rural prosperity", says ANC MPL
Andre De Wet.

De Wet was speaking during a debate of the provincial legislature when he
raised a motion about investigating the possibility of legalising hemp "in
such a manner that a responsible agricultural industry could be developed".

He emphasised that the motion was not "about the legalisation of dagga".

Although both hemp and marijuana are members of the plant species Cannabis
Sativa (subs: Cannabis Sativa is in italics), science has enabled the
genetic manipulation and cultivation of a hybrid that has no narcotic value.

De Wet said the hybrid - known as hemp - was rich in fibre, seed oil and
had "many amazing characteristics for industrial, agricultural, medicinal
and domestic use".

He said about 26 countries permitted the commercial cultivation of hemp.
China, India, Korea, Rumania and Russia are the major commercial producers.

Recent legislation in the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada has also
lifted restrictions on hemp production and the European Union has
introduced legislation that provides aid for domestically produced hemp.

The world wide sales of hemp were estimated about R32m in 1993, but this
figure had grown to R473m within two years.

It is expected to reach R9,5bn by 2001.

Hemp fibre and seed are used to produce a wide range of commodities
including food and beverage products, fibreboard, insulation, paper,
composites, textiles, carpets, animal bedding and feed, cosmetics,
body-care products, soaps, paints, fuels and medicines.

De Wet said the departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Health,
Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism and Safety and Security would be
"vital in the process of investigation and education".

He said Agriculture and Land Affairs MEC Max Mamase could make a valuable
contribution on the issue of agricultural viability.

"We need to investigate and determine which areas in the Eastern Cape are
most suitable for hemp growth."

He said although marijuana grew well in the Eastern and coastal parts of
the Transkei, it was necessary to discover whether hemp would grow well there.

Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism - which has already been involved
in the promotion of hemp as an industrial opportunity - would be able to
assist in investigating the economic viability of the industrial
application of hemp.

He said input from Health MEC Trudy Thomas and her department would also
assist investigations.

NP MPL Sakkie Louw pledged the "full support and input of the NP" and said
his party supported the proposed investigation. ANC MPL Nat Serache
supported the motion and said: "I believe the government must catch up with
international practice and legalise hemp".

"We need to work fast on this one because we are losing competitive edge on
the world markets which may soon be flooded, forcing the price down." - ECN
Thurs 13/08/98

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski