Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2004
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)

THE BIZ: WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD OF BUSINESS COSTS, NANDOR

One of the hemp industry's staunchest supporters is ... umm ...
fuming.

"Rampant bureaucracy threatens to suffocate NZ hemp," thundered a
press release from Green MP Nandor Tanczos last week.

Medsafe, an agency which is responsible for the safety of medicines,
has been put in charge of developing a framework for the industry. It
is proposing an increase in the fee for a hemp licence from $11.25 to
$550, and regular crop testing at $300 a time.

Hemp Industry Association research team leader Dr Mike Nichols says:
"They are treating it as if it is an illicit drug and not an
agricultural crop," he said.

Strict regulations, higher fees ... sounds like the norm for any
business.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin