Pubdate: Thu, 26 Aug 2004
Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Red Deer Advocate
Contact:  http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492
Author: Harley Richards
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

HEMP CO-OP POSSIBLE FOR STETTLER

A Sherwood Park man pushing for the establishment of a hemp growers co-op 
in the Stettler area says a dozen producers have come on board. And Max 
Cornelssen is optimistic that enough seed will be produced this year to sow 
about 30 acres of hemp come fall.

Cornelssen, who grew up near Stettler and whose family still owns land 
north of town, pitched the idea of a hemp growers and processors group this 
spring. He said material from the plant could be used to produce methanol 
and other fuels, with spinoff products including fertilizer and fabric.

Cornelssen, who ran for the Marijuana Party in the Crowfoot riding during 
the recent federal election, said his biggest hurdle is overcoming public 
concerns about the legality of the crop.

Federal laws prohibit the production of hemp - which is closely related to 
marijuana - if it contains significant amounts of the psychoactive 
ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The production of industrial hemp 
also requires a licence from Health Canada.

"We're still fighting the fear aspect of this thing, said Cornelssen, who 
insists THC is necessary for hemp seeds to resist insect pests.

"It produces your best quality."

But Const. John Bishop of the Stettler detachment of the RCMP said people 
have good reason to be leery about hemp production.

Bishop said his department is continuously investigating and charging 
people involved in marijuana grow operations. Anyone growing hemp in 
contravention of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act faces criminal 
prosecution - including a mandatory court appearance and penalty at the 
discretion of the judge.

He added he is familiar with Cornelssen's campaign but does not know of 
anyone in the area who is growing hemp illegally.

Cornelssen said the producers who have joined his co-op are all based 
within 80 to 100 km of Stettler. He explained that's probably the maximum 
distance hemp could be economically trucked to a proposed "biomass 
conversion facility" in Stettler.

Cornelssen said he has also distributed seed to approximately 400 people, 
and is optimistic many of these are now growing hemp. But with the public's 
concerns about legal restrictions on the crop, many are keeping quiet.

"This is guerrilla farming."

If the laws are changed to eliminate those fears, Cornelssen thinks hemp 
production will take off. He said the timing is good, with dwindling fossil 
fuel reserves and rising prices making agriculture-based methanol more and 
more attractive.

"Hemp produces more biomass than any other plant on the planet, and that's 
the one we should use."

Producers who harvest hemp this fall will likely do so by clipping off the 
seed-bearing tops of the plants using a raised combine platform. The rest 
of the plant could then be cut and baled.

"I'm pretty sure we can come up with 50 pounds (23 kg)," said Cornelssen.

He estimates about five pounds of seed per acre would be needed to grow 
widely spaced plants for seed production. Later, when fields are seeded 
more densely for fibre production, greater quantities of seed would be 
required.

Cornelssen hopes to take the seed from the 2004 harvest and plant it on his 
family's land outside Stettler this fall.

"Primarily for the next couple of years we're going to be growing seed."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D