FARMERS EXPECT TO RECEIVE GOAHEAD TO PLANT HEMP

SARNIA, Ont. (CP) If everything goes according to plan, farmers could be
planting seeds this spring for Ontario's first commercial hemp crop in 50
years.

Health Minister Allan Rock released proposed regulations on the weekend for
a commercial hemp industry in southwestern Ontario.

Area MPs have been lobbying for action on the crop for years.

RoseMarie Ur, who represents LambtonKentMiddlesex riding in southwestern
Ontario, said the final regulations should be proclaimed in time for spring
planting.

"Unless there's major, major problems, we still can meet our spring
deadline," she said.

Farmers grew hemp in the Forest area in Lambton County in the 1940s but a
backlash against marijuana led the government to regulate hemp production
out of existence.

Hemp, grown for fibre and oil, is related to but not the same as
other cannabis plants grown for the production of marijuana.

"Not only is it a good alternative crop, it has been a crop in the Lambton
part of my riding in the earlier years," said Ur. "It's not like we're
reinventing the wheel here."

She said Ontario will be several years ahead of jurisdictions in the United
States in hemp production, and that will provide millions in export revenue
for Canada.