HEMPTOWN ATTRACTS AWKWARD INVESTOR MIX

Ethical firm's revenues soaring as industry gains mainstream recognition
across North America

For some, it isn't easy being green. Hemptown Clothing Inc., a Vancouver
company that specializes in T-shirts and clothing made from hemp, bills
itself as a company that's not just about profits. Instead, it's also about
the environment and human rights.

"With those three things working in conjunction, you've got a business that
can contribute to the community," said Jerry Kroll, the company's CEO.

However, the fast-growing company has attracted a curious investor mix,
including two shareholders who seem as compatible as silk and polyester.

One of those is Renewal Partners, whose president is Joel Solomon, a local
figure renowned for his ethical investment practices. Solomon is also listed
as a consultant to Hemptown.

As of October 1, 2002, Renewal held 12,000 common shares of Hemptown and
Solomon was listed as holding 80,000 stock options.

Solomon is also a board member with Real Assets Investment Management Inc.,
a subsidiary of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union. And Renewal Partners is
a sustaining member of the not-for-profit organization Canadian Business for
Social Responsibility.

Meanwhile, another Hemptown investor is Vancouver-based Ken Lelek, listed in
the Hemptown filing as holding 45,000 shares of common stock. He is also the
beneficial owner of Imperial Trust, which held more than one million common
shares.

Media reports indicated that Lelek ran a stripping agency called That's
Entertainment with a member of the motorbike band, the Hells Angels.

Other media reports said that he had ties to Starnet Communications
International Inc., an online gambling and pornography services company. An
RCMP investigation into Starnet's gambling activities began in 1999, but
after years just a single charge was laid.

A 1999 Vancouver Sun story said Lelek was not named as a director or officer
at Starnet in a search warrant

However, the story said the warrant indicated "he has been closely involved
in the company's business affairs."

Solomon said he had never met or heard of Lelek, nor did he know the
company's other investors.

"I got involved in Hemptown early on with [founder] Jason [Finnis]. When it
moved into its new iteration he brought on some new partners and some new
investors," said Solomon.

Referring to Lelek's reported background, Solomon said, "That's not good
news to me."

He added, "It would require that I ask some more questions and find out some
more information. I think I'll be making a call to Jason."

Lelek could not be reached for comment by press time.

Kroll, however, said he didn't see problems arising from the involvement of
Solomon and Lelek as investors.

"These guys both have their heads screwed on right, and I think they're both
looking to work with the company and support a company that's doing a good
thing for the community. And I respect that in both of them."

Kroll said he has known Lelek since 1998. Meanwhile, Hemptown maintains that
hemp items have many benefits, including strength and resistance to mould
and mildew.

The material -- derived from cannabis but not to be confused with marijuana
- - also doesn't require as many chemicals and dyes as other fabrics, and
offers a favourable growing environment for farmers.

Candi Penn, executive director of the Hemp Industries Association in
California, said clothing is the oldest hemp product.

But many other offerings derived from the plant are available, including
foods and body-care items.

Penn mentioned two Ontario companies that offer hemp-based roof shingles and
auto parts.

She also said a Saskatchewan firm was coming out with a hemp
paint-and-varnish line.

About 300 companies belong to the association, and about one-third of those
are Canadian, Penn said.

Kroll's hoping that hemp's growing reputation will lead to happy times for
Hemptown.

The company, incorporated in 1998, features six full-time employees and a
handful of part-time workers.

He said the company reported sales of more than $700,000 in 2002, and
predicts bigger sales ahead.

In a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the
company reported revenues of about $212,293 for the six months ended June
30, 2002, along with a net loss of $129,454.