CANNABIS CAN BOOST FARMING

Thousands of acres of farm land could soon be under profitable cultivation
for cannabis, uplifting the rural economy, a pro-cannabis conference in
Norwich has been told.

Campaigners hope Home Secretary David Blunkett will relax the law governing
the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. The Legalise
Cannabis Alliance says there are nine million users in the UK and the
potential market for home-grown varieties is enormous.

Apart from its narcotic qualities, the plant can be used as cheap fuel and
make materials such as paper, cloth and building bricks.

The issue was discussed at the lobby group's third annual conference at the
University of East Anglia on Saturday. There was no smoking in the lecture
theatre hall but people openly rolled and smoked joints outside.

"It is the perfect crop for farmers - it grows extremely quickly, just like
a weed and does not need any herbicides or insecticides", said spokesman
Don Barnard.

"Trials have already proved that cannabis can be grown successfully in this
country and now it is a question of growing it commercially. It could do
wonders for the economy - especially if as suspected the Government makes
it legal and taxes it."