The Hemp Commerce & Farming Report

Volume 1, Issue 3, July 25th, 1999

ISSN 1488-3988
© 1999 AHEM, ARTHUR HANKS

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial
Top of the Crop
Developing markets for Hempseeds
The HCFR Interview: Gero Leson
Farmers: Keep Your Workers Happy!
Testing, Testing
The Nutritional Value of Hemp Oil: an Overview
Alphabet Soup: Hemp Associations
Hemp Shorts: Upcoming Industry Events
Marketplace

MASTHEAD:

Publisher: AHEM
Editor: Arthur Hanks arthurhanks@hotmail.com
Sales, Sponsorship, and Distribution:
Jason Freeman jfreeman@ssm.net
Editorial and Research Assistant:
Brian James bjames@qac.ca

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE:

Dr. Marc Alfred, Bob and Suzanne Andrews, Jon Cloud, Jason Freeman, Terry Lefebvre, Gero Leson, David Marcus, Mario, Duane Phillippi, John Roulac.

SUBMISSIONS:

Submissions are most welcome. Please contact HCFR editor, Arthur Hanks, with your story, research or information for inclusion in the HCFR.

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EDITORIAL

Forty days and forty nights later, here we are on our third issue, and it's turning into a new publication already. Welcome to the new look HCFR; this is our first issue as a web-based publication. We will be posted initially at Hemptrade.com and Hemphasis.com. Being web-based gives us certain advantages over being as straight e-txt publication. We are evolving to better serve our readers and give them the best value that we can for our money. As always, we appreciate your comments even when we can't write you back.

We have a number of strong contributions for this issue of the report, including pieces from John Roulac, Gero Leson, Dr. Alfred and Jon Cloud. It is gratifying to be able to work on this project with people of this calibre.

On another note, on a casual grocery trip this week, I did a double take in the refrigerated products section. I saw a new hemp oil (350ml) available at 12.30$ a bottle, next to two other familiar brands - this was a $6 savings from a few months ago. The same store I was in had at least half-dozen other hemp based products in stock, from chips to rella, to candles and soaps. The price points were all rather reasonable and in line with everything else offered by my organic grocer.

This is a quiet sign, but a good one. Sure hemp shorts are still ridiculously expensive from my point of view, but Canadian grown and made products are starting to reflect reality. Hemp is not just a good idea anymore trapped in the hemp store "ghetto" - it's becoming a viable market choice at the point of sale.

I think we are on the right track.

Enjoy this issue.

Arthur Hanks
July 1999
Vancouver, BC
arthurhanks@hotmail.com

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Using cold-pressed oil from Kenex, our products meet Health Canada guidelines. Our edible oil is second to none - clear, green and fresh.
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Top of the Crop

Feed Your Skin with Earthemp!

Earthemp Body Care products have now been launched. Formerly selling under the Earth Scents label, Earth Scents Soap Co.'s Suzanne and Bob Andrews are veterans in the manufacturing of naturally pure body care and handmade soap. The Simcoe, Ontario-based company has been producing hemp oil body care products for the past five years. In that time they have produced body care for a number of Canadian distributors and retailers. Among these was Hempola, Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario. These Earth Scents products were award winners for Hempola in Hemp Times magazine annual awards gala. Earthemp ended this private label relationship on May 29, 1999.

Suzanne and Bob Andrews of Earthemp are committed to expanding their extensive line of Hemp Oil based body care products. They are using Ontario-grown oil supplied by Pain Court's Kenex Ltd., and attest to the improving quality of oils available on the marketplace. "We find the quality (of Kenex's oils) to be far superior to the oils of the past, " says Suzanne Andrews, " We are assured of freshly pressed oil when we order."

Earth Scents Soap Co. also sells bodycare products under the Honeycare label and also sells aromatherapy products under the Earth Scents label. The new Earthemp web site: http://www.earthemp.com will be launched on July 31, 1999.

Organic Acreage Higher than Estimated

As was reported in last issue's "Cross-Canada Crop Report," a high amount of certified organic acreage is being grown across the county. Our estimate a month ago was that there could be up to 1500 planted this year. Well, that figure has been broken. Jon Cloud reports that Cloud Mountain has contracted 500 acres this year, mostly in Ontario with some additional acreage in Manitoba. Cloud says that the focus is on grain production, but there is also experimental research of ten acres for hemp fibre. As well, they are conducting six experiments with seeding rates for grains.

Sasha Prytyk of Gen-X clarifies that over two-thirds of their 900 contracted acres is being contracted for certified organic production, and not one-third as was reported.

Body Shop Founders invest in Kenex Ltd.

Anita and Gordon Roddick, founders of international hair and bodycare retailers, The Bodyshop, have announced that they have recently acquired a significant interest in Chatham, Ontario's Kenex Ltd. The Roddicks were attracted to invest in Kenex due to Kenex's leadership position as the most diversified hemp company in Canada.

"I believe that most countries have suffered terribly from the loss of the small family farms that were once the agricultural backbone. They were a vital link in the economic chain, "says Anita Roddick, who says that hemp will play a large role in stimulating rural economic development.

Kenex is involved in the manufacturing of oil, meal, and sterilised grain as well as roasted and toasted hempseed. Kenex was also the first Canadian company to set up a commercial hempseed hulling operation in Canada.

As the Body Shop is already a major buyer of Canadian hempseed and oils for their successful line of hemp bodycare products, this personal investment on the Roddick's part will hopefully help stimulate research and production of the fibre side.

Beginning in 1995, Kenex has invested several years of R&D investigating hemp's fibre options. Their fibre division is involved in the separation of fibre and core materials to provide clean fibre and core products for various industrial applications including moulded composites, paper, non-wovens, plastics, absorbants and animal bedding.

Kenex's composites, non-woven and plastics divisions are supplied raw products from the fibre operation. The fibres, core or combination are blended in various formulations with synthetic fibres, other natural fibres, post-industrial plastics or other types of resins. These compounds are then formed into non-woven matting, which can be used as padding and sound insulation or moulded into various types of thermoset or thermoplastic panels. The pelletized compounds will be used in injection moulding and other types of thermoplastic applications.

Kenex also conducts a seed-breeding program with certified seed distribution across Canada. Their agricultural division contracts acreage with farmers and manages the custom harvesting operations including field quality control.

Source: Kenex Ltd.

Alterna to Fund Field Research Project in Hawaii

Alterna Applied Research Laboratories, maker of Alterna-label hemp hair care products, has announced it will fund a $200, 000 field research project in the state of Hawaii. This research project, to be performed in co-operation with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, was announced July 7th, shortly after the Hawaiian governor signed legislation that was passed earlier this year. Dr David West, Ph.D., noted plant breeder, author and hemp researcher, has been engaged to direct the hempseed variety trial that is slated to begin this fall. And in a recent letter to a state legislator, the DEA hinted approval if an industrial hemp proposal addressed security and standards issues.

"Alterna feels a responsibility to help support America's farmers and affording them the opportunity to grow industrial hemp for American made products is our ultimate goal, " says Mike Brady, President of Alterna.

Alterna's contribution deepens its commitment to marketing hemp on a national scale. Since incorporating hempseed oil into its products in January 1998, the Los Angeles- based company has undertaken a national hemp education and marketing campaign. As part of this program, Alterna conducts hemp essay contests in high schools nation-wide, with college scholarships as prizes. Concurrently, Alterna has also expanded its high profile and provocative advertising campaign to the East Coast, contracting 30 city busses on routes in downtown Boston. Alterna's billboard image reads HEMP with an image of a green hemp leaf - "THC (Drug) free" is written below it next to a bottle of the hemp shampoo. The same ad has been banned in one other jurisdiction.

Alterna is the first mainstream American hair care company to use hemp oil in their formulas. Their products are available through salons in the United States and Canada. For more information on Alterna, check out their web site at: http://www.4Alterna.com.

Sources: Alterna, Public Broadcast Network

HEMPOLA Launches 4 new massage oils!

After nine months of research, blending and testing at massage therapy clinics in Mississauga, Ontario, four new Hempola (™) Massage Oils are now ready for the market.

Hempola Inc. has been working in association with Beata Zaranek - a veteran massage therapist who originally trained in Poland - to develop the new massage oils. Zaranek and professional therapists at Mississauga's Injury Management Centre and the YMCA have designed and tested blends of Hempola hempseed oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil and various steam distilled essential oils to create the four most effective massage oils they have ever used. The therapists consider hempseed oil perfect as "carrier" oil because it is absorbed very quickly into the skin and has a superior penetrating capability, yet provides a desirable level of lubrication for effective massage treatment. This ensures both remedial efficacy of the hempseed oil itself and powerful therapeutic benefits from the blend of essential oils that it is "carrying".

Used in massage therapy, hemp oil's EFAs penetrate the skin, remoisturizing and reviving dry cells and helping to repair damage whether caused by weather elements, poor nutrition disease or injury. Clinical studies have been undertaken to prove that topical application of EFAs markedly improves hydration and elasticity of the skin.

Source: Hempola

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FIBREX Québec INC
Growers and Processors of textile grade Flax and Hemp Fibre
755, boulevard des Érables, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield,
Québec, Canada, J6T 6G3
Contact: Tim Niedermann, Tel: 450-371-0333, Fax: 450-371-2220
info@fibrexcanada.com
Developing sustainable alternatives in international agribusiness

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Developing Markets for Hempseeds
By John Roulac

The growing awareness of hemp and the nutritional benefits of hempseed is driving sales of hemp foods and bodycare products. The strongest demand is for hulled seed and oil. Until recently, these raw materials have been priced as boutique items - i.e. quite expensive with limited distribution and low sales volumes.

Supply
Canadian warehouses are still filled with hempseeds from the 1998 crop. In 1999, Canadian farmers planted approximately 20,000 acres dedicated for grain or hempseed. This may well lead to a new term for the fledgling hemp industry - long term storage trials. It will be interesting to watch how this huge increase in supply impacts market prices and demand. One of the significant challenges and opportunities for hemp farmers and the hemp industry in general is to avoid entering into the below production cost model of wheat, corn and soybeans. Clearly, decentralised regional processors and farmer co-ops need to add value thus increasing profitability. One likely change in year 2000 plantings will be a greater ratio of certified organic hempseed vs. non-organic. Demand for organic food is skyrocketing in North America.

Hanf Nut
Much of the success of the North American hemp industry is due to the pioneering efforts of German hemp advocates and entrepreneurs. In 1996/97, several pioneering German companies developed a process to shell the hempseed, yielding "Hanfnuss", or "hempnut" in English. Several firms, including an American one, private-labelled "hempnut" and imported it into America. The advent of hulled hempseeds from Germany has been opening up vast applications for the food industry. These tasty nuts are now appearing in nutritional bars, nut butters, pretzels, cookies, yoghurts and in bulk refrigerated sections as well as grocery shelves packed in tin cans.

In early 1999, Kenex of Pain Court, Ontario set up the first dehulling facility in Canada. Several firms have now followed, including CGP.

Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is now found increasingly in the refrigerated section in natural food stores. Natural oil suppliers targeting the body care industry offer oil by the pail and drum. Almost daily I now hear of some new company that is manufacturing hemp-based soaps, shampoos, lotions, salves or creams. The huge success of the Body Shop's hemp line points to increasing acceptance in the mainstream marketplace. Hemp pioneer Hempola, of Mississauga, Ontario, introduced a delicious hemp salad dressing at the March 1999 Anaheim Natural Products Expo show.

Education
The key to increasing markets for hempseed is educating people on the benefits of hemp and expanding the market versus just dumping seed on the marketplace and hoping that price alone will carry the day. Our industry's initial efforts have helped to build a small yet growing base of informed consumers and manufacturers. For example, the North American Industrial Hemp Council (NAIHC) has exhibited at the last two Natural Products Expo shows in Anaheim and Baltimore to promote hemp and its member firms. This has allowed thousands of natural food retailers, manufacturers, distributors and media to learn about hemp's unique benefits. NAIHC sponsored its first annual hemp foods banquet at its November 1998 Washington DC annual conference and trade show. A delicious hemp foods meal was prepared by the Crown Plaza's kitchen under the guidance of Richard Rose of the HempNut Corporation. I personally enjoyed listening to Ralph Nader crack jokes about US federal policy on hemp while sitting next to former CIA Director James Woolsey who was laughing between mouthfuls of a tasty hemp meal topped off with hemp chocolate.

HEMPBROKERS.com
In late 1998, Kenex approached HEMPTECH - the Sebastopol, CA based Industrial Hemp Information Network - to assist them in expanding markets for hempseeds in the United States. We were honoured at the opportunity to work with one of Canada's leading pioneering hemp firms. In March 1999, HEMPTECH launched HEMPBROKERS.com with a mission to expand markets for hempseed products. Our initial market research of manufacturers and restaurants indicated that the previously high price for hulled seeds was prohibitive and that lower prices would encourage greater use. We set up a refrigerated distribution center in LA County (California) and stocked a range of hempseed products including hulled, oil, meal, toasted and roasted seeds. In a few short months we are now selling in bulk to dozens of natural food stores, restaurants and supplying manufacturers of beer, beverages, nut butters and body care. HEMPBROKERS.com and Kenex also gave out over 800 copies of Hemp Foods & Oil for Health: Your Guide to Cooking, Nutrition and Body Care by Gero Leson, Petra Pless with John W. Roulac to the Natural Product Expo attendees. We are also sending out 100+ copies each week to health food stores as part of our marketing campaign.

We also launched a consumer brand - Nutiva - with a snack bar made from four seeds - sunflower, hulled hempseeds, flax, pumpkin - plus honey. The response to these bars has been quite positive. Sales have surpassed 30,000 in the first 100 days. We currently sell to 500+ natural food stores, gas stations and even supermarkets. We expect to surpass 100,000 bar sales before the end of summer and 1,000,000 in year 2000. Our Nutiva bar is now the number one selling North American hemp foods product based on sales unit.

GMO Hemp?

While genetically modified organisms (GMO) have been a huge issue in Britain and throughout Europe, it has been relatively ignored for the most part in North America. The majority of corn and soybeans today are grown with GMO seeds. The recent study on Monarch butterflies has intensified the GMO debate. This Cornell University study showed that Monarch butterflies are dying by eating insects, which had been feeding from Monsanto bio-engineered corn containing BT genes. Growing numbers of American consumers and manufacturers are re-evaluating their use of GMO products, especially soy products. This development will accelerate the opportunity of non-GMO hemp as an eco-friendly food source.

Of course, larger Ag firms entering the hemp field may well develop GMO hemp. The GMO issue is moving center stage as consumers become educated and the pressure builds to label GMO foods. Non-GMO hemp foods may just be the horse to bet on!

The following is excerpted from "Hemp Foods & Oil For Health" by Leson & Pless with Roulac:

The Future of Hemp Foods
"Hemp foods must meet a few challenges before they can expand beyond their current niches. To start with, the price of hempseeds and their products will gradually have to come down. This will be accomplished by increasing sales volumes and the resulting economies of scale in farming, processing, and distribution. More efficient processing and marketing of hemp fibres and hurds will also be crucial, so that farmers can reduce the cost of seeds."

"Improving the properties of hempseeds through breeding will make them more competitive in several areas. Larger seeds will improve the efficiency of the hulling process, thus making hulled seeds more cost-competitive. Breeding varieties for a higher content of specific fatty acids such as GLA will make hemp oil more competitive as a food supplement, while raising the antioxidant levels in hempseeds will increase the shelf life of hemp oil and foods. Finally, more hempseed research is needed in such areas as additional potential health benefits, the nature and effects of phytosterols, and the amino acid spectrum of different varieties."

"Increasingly, hempseed will replace beans, nuts, grain, and dairy products in numerous foods. By successfully meeting the challenges mentioned above, hempseeds and their oil may well become a main staple for the expanding natural-foods industry."

John W. Roulac serves as board secretary to the North American Industrial Hemp Council (naihc.org) and is president/founder of Sebastopol, CA based HEMPTECH (hemptech.com), The Industrial Hemp Information Network, and HEMPBROKERS.com/Nutiva, a hempseed marketing firm. He can be reached at john@hempbrokers.com or 707-823-2800 ext. *41.

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HEMPBROKERS.com. Supplying Hempseeds Products Worldwide.
Order hulled, toasted, roasted meal and oil by the pail, tote or truckload.
Also try our Nutiva nutty hempseed bars.

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The HCFR Interview:

Gero Leson on Markets and Technology development

The HCFR recently approached noted industrial hemp consultant Gero Leson for an update on market developments and needed technological innovations. This interview was conducted by email in mid-July 1990.

Q1. Where does Canada stand in relation to the international hemp community right now? Where are we behind and where are we ahead?

A1. The status of industrial hemp in Canada is best compared to the countries in the European Union (EU) which have developed the same processing route for fibre. This includes the harvesting and modern processing of the field retted stalks into "whole fibre," as compared to the traditional water retting, followed by separation into long-line fibre and tow.

Over the last 5 years, Canadian farmers have, in particular, developed extensive experience with the growing, harvesting and processing of hemp for seeds. Despite frequent problems encountered, such as combines catching fire, successes are reflected in the, at least locally, extraordinary seed yields of up to 1.5 tonnes/hectare (1 t/ha is considered a good yield in the EU). Canada is also moving quickly towards establishing and registering new varieties which have been bred for specific goals, such as high seed yields, short growth and a specific fatty acid spectrum. Finally, thanks to the existing focus of Canadian agriculture on oil seed crops, there is sufficient and varied capacity for the production of high-quality cold pressed hemp oil, even in smaller quantities.

Canada is now also moving ahead of the EU in the development of raw materials and products for the fast growing natural products market. Despite the variety and high quality of products, this market is somewhat limited in the EU, while in North America it is now extending beyond the traditional "health food customer".

The implementation of processing capacities and products for hemp fibre has been slower and is lagging behind, compared to the EU where several hemp processors now offer various grades of hemp fibre for pulp, non-wovens and coarse textiles. While hemp stalks are being processed into fibre by the two relevant Canadian fibre processors, Kenex and Hempline, their capacities are limited. Also, operating efficiency and fibre quality still seem to require improvement. Furthermore, there are bottlenecks in the value-added processing of the bast fibre. This applies, in particular, when compared to Germany where a number of matting facilities now operate lines dedicated to the processing of natural fibres into mats for use in automotive panels, insulation materials and erosion control mats. The installation of Kenex's matting line is intended to improve that situation.

What's definitely missing is a large-scale decortication/refining unit for the processing of the large amounts of hemp straw to be produced in Manitoba this year. While most European decorticators also feature low throughputs (~2 tonnes of straw/hour), groups in France and Holland have built decorticators with throughputs of 8-10 tonnes/hour, producing hemp fibre of a quality at least sufficient for pulping, if not for non-woven mats.

Q2. In your opinion, what value-added industries is the Canadian hemp industry best positioned to explore? What's close?

A2. Given the availability of hempseeds and know-how on oil crushing and hulling, the current growth in demand for healthy and tasty foods in North America, the use of hempseeds for foods is, in my own opinion, the most promising short-term market for Canadian hemp. While I do not see the need for technology quantum leaps in seed processing, several technical hurdles need to be overcome on the production side. The quality of hemp oil, particularly for food, requires more consistency with respect to flavour, colour, free fatty acids and peroxide values. Market penetration by hulled seeds will require improvements to hulling techniques, which would result in both higher yields and cleaner products. Finally, there is need for research to elucidate the characteristics of hemp protein and, in particular, to resolve the issue of THC residues in seed products and their implications for employee drug testing in the US.

Markets for hemp fibres in composites (see above) are not well developed in North America. While there are niche markets which can be supplied by the existing processors, the development of new markets will require work in several areas. As mentioned above, the largest technological/economic bottleneck will be the implementation of larger units for mechanical processing and value-added processing of fibres, such as matting, which achieve better economies of scale, thus reducing the premium that customers currently have to pay for a natural fibre product, and often won't.

Q3. A lot of noise is made about hemp being a dual use crop. While dedicated fibre crops are the source of premium fibres that we see in high-end uses like textiles, most hemp in Canada is grown to maturity and the fibre is clearly a secondary product. In some producer cases, it's just ag-waste. In you opinion, what are the best uses for fibres originating from an oilseed crop?

A3. Due to the lignification of mature fibre and the difficulties of properly removing hurds residues, the use of dual-purpose stalks as a source for pulp, where fibre fineness and cleanness is less important, seems most appropriate. Whether such stalks can be used successfully in non-wovens for automotive panels, insulation and other mats depends crucially on the performance of the primary processing technology (decortication and refining) and the customer's need. The fact that French groups have grown dual-purpose crops and are now marketing their fibre for non-pulp applications suggests that this can be achieved.

Q4. Various companies and entrepreneurs in Canada are chasing a wide range of product objectives. Are there any overlooked markets that should be explored?

A5. I do not claim to be aware of all ongoing market development activities in Canada. Based on observations in Europe, I believe that the use of hemp mats for agricultural/horticultural/erosion control applications have particularly good promise since these markets appear to be expanding and since mats from natural fibres combine good structural properties with biodegradability. As in other markets, hemp must compete with other domestic fibre sources, such as flax and kenaf.

Q.5. Overproduction of hemp is a valid concern of many players and observers. How do you think farmers can protect themselves from the scenario of falling prices in the future?

A5. I expect that prices, particularly for hempseeds, will gradually come down, due both to competition between a growing number of suppliers, as well as improved economics of hemp farming. In fact, some decrease in seed prices will be necessary to expand markets for hempseed products. There is the risk of dramatic price declines if production jumps ahead of market development. The only way for farmers to protect themselves against their impacts is to expand acreage cautiously and grow under contract with established and realistic processors.

Dr. Gero Leson has 15 years of experience in environmental research and consulting, primarily for US industry. This includes various projects for the wood products, petroleum and chemical industries. He is an acknowledged expert in the area of "biological air pollution control." Since 1994, he has also been involved in numerous research and implementation projects related to the use of fibre plants for technical applications, with a focus on industrial hemp. In 1997-98 he was president of Consolidated Growers and Processors. His firm, Leson Environmental Consulting, located in Berkeley, CA, provides services related to all relevant aspects of the hemp "value chain." He is currently co-ordinating a study to evaluate the correlation between hemp food ingestion and the likelihood of failing employee drug tests.

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Farmers: Keep Your Workers Happy!

By Jon Cloud

Earthworms are one of the great soil-building forces of the universe. They eat the soil, digest it, and condition it. Aristotle called them "the intestines of the soil." To a large extent, our topsoils in Ontario have been made by earthworms during the last 150 years. Before that, there were no earthworms in Eastern Canada.

In an acre of healthy soil, there will be from three to five species (19 varieties can be found in Ontario alone) which burrow horizontally or vertically as they feed. They provide a natural drainage system which can soak up great amounts of rainfall.

According to Bruce Bowman of Agriculture Canada's London Research Centre, water can flow rapidly through the cracks, fissures, and channels created by earthworms and decaying roots. Such pores can account for up to 90% of the water conducted through a soil profile during times of intense rainfall. These burrows also let in more oxygen to speed decomposition of plant residues and enhance uptake of potassium. The aerating tunnels increase the air capacity in the soil by 60-75%. Less fertiliser leaches as the burrows allow crop roots to reach deeper into the soil and to intercept nutrients that might otherwise escape.

Earthworms plough close to home, depositing large amounts of soil on the surface in their casings. A healthy soil may contain tons of castings per acre. The casting contributes five times more available nitrogen, seven times more available phosphorus and 11 times more exchangeable magnesium than the soil the earthworm ingested.

The castings have much greater productive value for plant growth than other soil because the nutritional elements have been concentrated in them in water-soluble form and in a more balanced condition. The castings produce topsoil that is practically neutral, with increased organic content; they favour bacterial multiplication and functioning, decompose vegetable matter and greatly enhance the productive value of the soil. In its passage through the worm, the mineral subsoil undergoes chemical changes making it immediately available for plant nutrition.

Earthworms vary in their habits and food requirements. Some require high carbon content like that found in manure or muck. Some make vertical tunnels a metre deep.

To gain the benefits of a good earthworm population, you need eight to ten earthworms per square foot, six to eight inches deep. Take a shovel and dig some samples at half a dozen test sites per field, six to eight inches down and 12 inches square. Check your results against fields that you have winter cropped or where you have worked green manure into the soil. These samples should show you the advantages of cover cropping and green manure to increase your earthworm population.

If no worms are present but conditions are favourable, earthworms can be inoculated intro the soil. However, simply "seeding" them is not enough. The worms need to find the right conditions. They require an environment with lots of crop residue and a calcium-rich soil. All the biological end products of life 3/4 kitchen and farm waste, stubble, dead vegetable, manures, dead animal residues 3/4 constitute the cheap and ever-renewed source of earthworm food for soil building. Worms like the shaded conditions of a cover crop or sod field to keep the residue moist.

Earthworms are among the hardest workers on organic farms and everyone knows that you have to feed your help if you expect them to stay around.

This is the second of Jon Cloud's four-part series on the soil fertility cycle that began in the HCFR #2; Jon Cloud is the principal of Cloud Mountain Inc. of Toronto, Ontario.

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Cloud Mountain Inc. contracts with certified organic farmers for hemp grain and fibre production to produce hemp oil as well as a line of hemp, and hemp cotton socks and sweaters.
Everything is Canadian Made.
Check out the Iron OX fibre and fabric line at 416-762-0940.
US dealers and representatives wanted.

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Testing, Testing

By Arthur Hanks

THC testing for crops is a basic license requirement. This involves field sampling and testing by a "qualified" or licensed laboratory.

Last year, Health Canada licensed 16 individuals across the county for field sampling. This year's list will be available in the next few weeks, according to Health Canada's Niels Hansen-Trip. Keep an eye on their web site for this and other soon-to-made-announcements (http://www.hc-sc_gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut.htmleng/hemp.html).

When to call in the sampler: when the seeds are beginning to mature. Sampling must be performed when 50% of the plant's first seeds resist compression. Depending on your choice of cultivar and when you planted, this could vary - 80-90 days from seeding is a reasonable benchmark. Regulations require, at minimum, 30 samples to be taken from each field. These must be dried (which can take up to two weeks) before being sent to a qualified laboratory for testing.

In 1999, there are a number of qualified laboratories licensed across the country -with up to 25,000 acres and 600 growers licensed for hemp farming this year, it's good to have some market choice.

The designated method for testing THC in hemp is by gas chromatography. This is a process that "cooks" the test subject (leaf in this case, pre-prepared in a solution), which causes it to change form into a gas. The gas is fed through a microthin coil or column and "sticks" to the side of it. Analysis of this residue produces data, which if graphed, produces various "peaks." Through reference of these peaks, the chemist can quickly identify the composition of various elements, including THC, EFA's, protein content etc.

While it may chafe to have THC tested for your crops, it does necessitate a relationship with a qualified laboratory. Develop this relationship. It's not enough just to grow or sell hemp oil; outside of the issue of THC testing, buyers are sophisticated and will want to know the nutritional content and analysis of your crop.

Testing labs

Here's a quick list of some qualified (and licensed) laboratories that have made themselves known to the HCFR over the last few months. (Health Canada's official list will be released soon.)

Hedron Analytical (Vancouver, BC)

With a focus on herbs and nutraceuticals, Hedron is assisting the return to the root of health in search of preventative methods with little or no side effects. With a background of 20 years study of human biology and medicine using state-of-the-art equipment, they are committed to supporting insight and self-regulation within the natural health community. As well as hemp product certification and THC testing, Hedron offers herbal and nutraceutical analysis, herbal marker identification, herbal fingerprinting and standardisation, research and more.

Contact: Paul Hornby, 1650 Pandora Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5L 1L6, Tel: 604-251-3363. Fax: 604-258-9497 email: paulh@istar.ca, http://www.hedron.ca

Meatherall Consulting (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Dr. Robert Meatherall, Ph.D. is a diplomate member of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology, a Toxicologist, Laboratory Medicine, St. Boniface General Hospital and an Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacology, University of Manitoba. Meatherall Consulting focuses on THC testing in hemp tissue and in hempseed oil, grain and seed cake. Testing is done as part of the Health Canada Regulations and for research purposes.

Dr. Meatherall was an invited participant to stakeholders meetings organised by Health Canada in Ottawa during 1997 and 1998.

Contact: Robert Meatherall, 133 Augusta Dr., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 4N6 Phone: 204-269-0630; Fax: 204-275-1420; email: meather@cc.umanitoba.ca

Norwest Labs (locations across Western Canada)

Norwest Labs provides full range analytical services to the agricultural and food industry with locations across Western Canada. Services include licensed THC testing, and Ag soil and tissue analysis. Norwest Labs also offers a comprehensive food program with analyses for manufacturers, processors, suppliers, retailers, as well as the restaurant industry. Norwest is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the USA.

Contact: Norwest Labs, Agricultural Services Complex, #203, 545 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5S6, Tel: 204-982-8630 or 1-800-483-3448, Fax: 204-275-6019. http://www.norwestlabs.com

RPC (Fredericton, New Brunswick)

Research and Productivity Council, RPC is a testing laboratory licensed by Health Canada to provide THC testing services. Clients are served by qualified technicians and scientists committed to providing timely, high quality results at competitive rates. Accredited and/or certified by the Canadian Association of Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) and/or the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).

Contact: RPC, 921 College Hill Road, Fredericton, New Brunswick CANADA
E3B 6Z9, Tel: 506-452-1212, Fax: 506-452-1395, email: info@rpc.ca, http://www.rpc.ca

SGS Canada (Locations across Canada)

General Testing Laboratories, a division of SGS Canada Inc, is licensed by Health Canada to perform THC testing. Each SGS Canada branch office specialises in areas of independent testing, inspection and certification services. SGS Canada is certified or accredited by a wide variety of independent, third party programs, such as Agriculture Canada, The Standards Council of Canada, and ISO 9000.

Contact: Peter Taylor, Kent Corporate Centre, #50-655 West Kent Avenue North
Vancouver, BC, V6P 6T7, Tel: 604-324-1166, Fax: 604-324-1177, email: Peter_Taylor@sgsgroup.com, http://www.sgs.ca

PDK (Winnipeg)

PDK specialises in rapid oil or seed product quality testing using near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS), which has been used with great success to analyse protein in Canada's export wheat crops. PDK provides seminars, and consults on quality standards, test composition and quality. While not licensed for THC testing, PDK's methodology and tech has direct application to the hemp industry (see "Making Light Work" in HCFR #2)

PDK Projects, Inc., 365 Wildwood Pk., Winnipeg MB R3T 0E7 Tel: 204-475-2899, Fax: 204-475-6090, email: pdk@mb.sympatico.ca, http://www.pdk.com

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When you require THC testing on your product, call us: 604-251-3363.
Hedron, The Hemp Laboratory.

We also test for pesticides, metal contamination, GLA analysis, fatty acid profiles, and nutritional labelling.
Visit our web site at
http://www.hedron.ca.

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THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF HEMP OIL: AN OVERVIEW

By Dr. B. Marc Alfred

From the ecological perspective of creating a truly sustainable agriculture, hemp is clearly to be preferred over other oil seed and fibre plants. The question to be addressed here is whether hempseed oil has a nutritional advantage as well.

It is now well known that omega-3 fatty acid has a role in the treatment of some chronic diseases, primarily those of the circulatory system. Since flax seed oil has a much greater concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, what is there to recommend hempseed oil? The simple response is that one does not live by omega-3 alone. Neither flax seed oil or hempseed oil is a uniform product 3/4 both contain many other nutrients. Specifically both also contain, among other things, omega-6 fatty acids. And omega-6 fatty acids are found in cell membranes and elsewhere throughout the body and are therefore obviously critically important to health maintenance (Note 1).

These are the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and they are essential (EFAs). Nutritionists call anything essential if it is required for normal functioning but cannot be synthesised in the body from pre-existing components and must, then, come from external sources. The EFAs have been the subject of many large and small scientific studies and conferences. They seem to act independently of each other and so one may attend the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of them separately. They are, however, related in a curious manner. Data presented by Dr. Erasmus (1996:157) from several very disparate populations suggest that the quantity of one in the body is strongly associated with the quantity of the other. That is, given the quantity of omega-6, for example, one can predict rather well the quantity of omega-3; the reverse is also true. This is open to a number of possible interpretations, one of which is that a diet which is sufficient in one EFA will also be sufficient in the other. (This raises the long running issue of the disjunction between biochemistry and epidemiology on a number of nutritional matters. I will treat this in a later piece.) Erasmus also speaks about the "optimal ratio" of EFAs found in hempseed oil for long-term consumption as opposed to therapeutic use. By this he means a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 of about 3:1; the ratio in flaxseed oil is about 1:4. This claim of optimality must be treated with care, for its basis is not adequate. There is neither experimental nor population data to support the claim. Be that as it may, it is the case that hempseed oil does provide both EFAs with about three times as much omega-6 as omega-3. Since there is so much more omega-6 than omega-3 in the body, it seems at least intuitively plausible that the balance is better in hempseed oil than in flaxseed oil. Obviously this needs work.

The mammalian body is a wonderful thing 3/4 exquisitely complex with many alternate pathways for accomplishing each goal. There is a strong temptation to simplify thinking about nutrition and to identify "miracle" foods that will cure everything from ingrown toenails to cancer. The success of such a pitch is a measure of the distance we have come from a "natural" agrarian life where such issues do not arise and where the populations are in robust health (Note 2). It seems indisputable now that sedentism, encouraged by television, is at least as serious a threat to health as nutrition. Both hemp and flax have a very long history of usage in such places and they should be considered complementary. But if a choice is forced, hempseed oil should be preferred. Its advantage is the balance of nutrients, especially EFAs.

NOTES

1. Other compounds, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid, which have received considerable attention recently, are derived from either omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids.

2. There is an inconvenient fact that is often overlooked by those who advocate a nutrient consumed by the inhabitants of some remote part of the world where degenerative disease is rare. That is that there is about a 20-30 year difference in life expectancy between there and here. In those areas, when the people are "corrupted" by civilisation and their life expectancy increases, degenerative disease begins to appear. It is also true that they tend to become more sedentary. Only people under 50 years old think age does not matter. I can attest that it does.

B. Marc Alfred is a Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia. Dr. Alfred worked in biological anthropology on population genetic and human evolution questions. He worked at the University of California Medical School at San Francisco in international health and at UBC was a member of a large project on the health and nutritional status of BC Indians. He is the author of numerous scientific papers mainly dealing with population genetics and a text in statistics treating qualitative data analysis.

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Dr. Marc Alfred is available for consultation on experimental design, clinical trials,
field trials, and statistical data analysis.
Contact: 604-228-8760, or
alfred@interchange.ubc.ca

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ALPHABET SOUP

Or what do all those acronyms mean anyway?

By Arthur Hanks

There have been a number of hemp associations, grower's groups and other organisations formed, in the profit and non-profit sector, to develop and co-ordinate Canada and North America's emerging hemp industry. While some associations that have been active over the last few years have faded into the night, others have established their own identity and have proven themselves to be organisations of merit. To be sure, an association is only as strong as its membership and forming or joining any association is only worthwhile if they have a clear mandate and can take effective action. Otherwise, they will die a short and merciful death.

Here is a selection of active industry groups that are worth checking out, networking with, or possibly joining. This is not an exhaustive list - if we have overlooked your group, co-op or association, please let us know more about you for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Several groups are in the process of just forming, or have declined to make any information publicly available at this point in time. Especially in the absence of a strong and broadly-based national Canadian Hemp Association, the HCFR feels that regional groups, however small, or whatever their particular focus, should take pains to communicate with their regional counterparts, and thereby demonstrate their commitment to help building an industry.

PIHG
The Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers are an ambitious collection of Manitoba producers who are excited by the possibilities that industrial hemp is promising. The results of their first harvest in 1998, with bumper yields of up to 1500 lbs. (a world record) led to the creation of this growers' group. Largely due to their efforts, the Parkland area has 10,000 acres planted this year, up from 200+ last year. PIHG assists farmers with the licensing process, GPS readings, grower's advice and contracting. Parkland is in the process of forming themselves into a New Generation Co-operative.

Contact: Sue Slingerman, PIHG Research Assistant, Unit C-#21 3rd Ave. NE, Dauphin, Manitoba, R7N 0Y5, Tel: 204-629-HEMP (4367), Fax: 204-638-0879. http://www.city.dauphin.mb.ca/PIHG/

SHA
The Saskatchewan Hemp Association is a non-profit, hemp producer organisation dedicated to the development of a sustainable hemp industry. The SHA was established in February of 1998 by committed hemp producers and incorporated as a non-profit organisation in January 1999. Currently, the SHA has over 80 producer and corporate members and has almost 10 committed industry sponsors.

The SHA provides many services for its members including accessing group rates on GPS co-ordinate services, THC sampling & THC testing. They are also dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date agronomic education to their members. They have initiated an education program with 7 research sites across the province which will evaluate and compare varieties, fertiliser & seeding rates, seeding dates, herbicide tolerance and other research variables. After harvest, all research plots will be evaluated in the laboratory to determine oil, protein, fibre, vitamin, and fatty acid composition in hempseed, oil and cake. Hemp fibre from all sites will be evaluated and tested as well. All information will be compiled and be made available to members and assisting agencies such as Sask Ag & Food, Sask Crop Insurance and the Canadian Grains Commission.

Contact: Duane Phillippi, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Hemp Association, P.O. Box 24007, Regina, SK S4P 4J8. Tel/Fax: 306-757-HEMP, email: saskhemp@sk.sympatico.ca. More information soon at the following web site: http://paridss.usask.ca/specialcrop/commodity/hemp/about.html

MIHGA/SCHA
The Manitoba Industrial Hemp Grower's Association held its formation meeting in March 1999 in Portage-La-Prairie. As a growers, marketers and processors co-op, the group seeks to become an umbrella organisation for regional provincial groups, like the SCHA. The South Central Hemp Association is a farmer's co-operative that is promoting the development of the hemp industry in southern Manitoba. Acting as a clearinghouse of information, the association will supply information about availability of seed varieties, seed stock, contracts and markets. Major works for 1999 include increasing the availability of regionally adapted seed stock.

Contact: Brian McElroy, 261 Main Street, Manitou, Manitoba, R0G 1G0, Tel: 204-246-2193, Fax: 204-246-2145, email: bmcelroy@mb.sympatico.ca

CHGA
The Canadian Hemp Growers Association is a registered non-profit society composed of industrial hemp growers, commercial hemp retailers, hemp food processors, and the public sector who are interested in promotion of the sustainable hemp industry and agriculture in Canada. CHGA was formed with the intent of assisting growers in licensing, harvesting, processing and marketing their crop.

The purpose of CHGA is to function in an advocacy role for hemp growers in Canada, giving access to years of combined research and information. The role of CHGA extends to all aspects of the hemp movement as well as facilitating connections between the growers, the public sector and the government in a positive and progressive environment. CHGA acts as a forum for friendly and open exchanges of ideas, research, resources, and past and future applications of hemp products on the global and free market.

Contact: Michael Hanson, or Brianne Whitworth, 5811-156th Street, Surrey, BC V3S 8E7, Tel: 604-506-2352, email: chga@hemptrade.com,

KHGCA
Despite the fact that they don't have a blade in the ground, the Kentucky Hemp Grower's Co-operative Association is arguably the most organised industrial hemp growers group on the continent. Without having an opportunity for production (yet), the Kentucky Hemp Growers have concentrated on the industrial hemp message instead, gaining international stature as an effective lobbying force in the USA. Resurrecting a 1942 charter, the KHGCA aims to create market equity between industrial hemp farmers and suppliers, manufacturers, and processors.

Contact: Andy Graves, PO Box 8395, Lexington, Kentucky, 40533, Tel: 606-252-8954, email: info@hempgrowers.com, http://www.hempgrowers.com

HIA
The HIA is an industry trade association dedicated to the support and promotion of true hemp. The HIA's global membership is broadly based along the production chain, from farmer to processor to marketer and retailer. The purposes of the organisation are to represent the interests of all hemp industries, and to promote research and development of new hemp products. With over 280 active members, the HIA is a strong and growing transnational organisation. Established in 1994.

Contact: Candi Penn, Secretary, PO BOX 1080, Occidental CA 95465, Tel: 797-874-3648, Fax: 707-874-1104, email: info@thehia.org. http://www.thehia.org or http://hempstores.com

HFA
With hempseed foods becoming recognised as one of the fastest growing segments of the international hemp industry, The Hemp Food Association was formed to work on behalf of the hempseed food producers and marketers. Membership will be extended to those involved in production, market development or researching hemp food or hempseed oil for human consumption. Members will be expected to sign and hold to a Pledge of Quality (as outlined in HCFR #2).

Contact: Richard Rose, PO Box 1368, Santa Rosa CA 95402-1368, Tel: 707-571-1330, Fax: 707-545-7116, email: info@hempfood.com, http://www.hempfood.com

IHA
The International Hemp Association is a non-profit, non-paid, volunteer staffed, organisation established in 1992 to promote the beneficial uses of hemp products worldwide. The organisation encourages and facilitates the accumulation and exchange of information on Cannabis, sponsors projects in several countries and publishes a journal twice yearly. The IHA is supported by memberships and by donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. The peer reviewed IHA Journal, is published June & December.

Contact: David Watson, Postbus 75007, Amsterdam, NL, 1070 AA, Tel: 31 20 6188758, Fax: 31 20 6188758, e-mail: iha@euronet.nl, http://mojo.calyx.net/~olsen/HEMP/IHA/

NAIHC
The North American Industrial Hemp Council's vision is to re-establish and expand the use of industrial hemp through political lobbying on a national level. The NAIHC acts to create and establish relationships between academia, farmers, agribusiness, manufacturers, government, public interest groups, and marketing firms. The NAIHC encourages land stewardship, sustainable agriculture and the promotion of hemp manufacturing, marketing and product development. The NAIHC is painstaking in its focus on industrial hemp and not high THC cannabis. Established 1995. NAIHC will hold its 5th Annual Industrial Hemp Conference on November 4th-7th in Memphis, Tennessee.

Contact: Erwin Sholtz, P.O. Box 259329, Madison, Wisconsin, 53725-9329, USA 608-258-0243, 608-224-5110, chair@naihc.org, http://www.naihc.org

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BioHemp Ltd.: Processors and Marketers of Certified Organic Hemp Oil.
Selling high quality organic oil to the cosmetic and restaurant supply industries.
Affordable prices.
Please call Jason Freeman, President, at 604 255 7979
or email:
jfreeman@biohemp.com

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HEMP SHORTS:

Upcoming Industry Events

It's been relatively quiet over 1999 for industry-related shows and conferences, leaving many thirsting for the genesis of ideas and contacts that often come about through attending and networking at industry events. Well, it's getting busy; five upcoming shows will slake that thirst and help provide impetus for the development of our industry over the winter of 1999-2000 and into the new millennium. Whatever your level of involvement in Canada and North America's Hemp Industry, attending one or many (or all!) of these shows will be worth your while.

Memphis: The 1999 Ag Fiber Technology Showcase, August 18-20

Industrial Hemp will be one of the new crops featured at the 1999 Ag Fiber Technology Showcase, to be held on August 18-20, 1999 at Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee. The three-day conference, field day and product exhibition will feature industrial hemp and other new crops, environmentally friendly production technologies, and new uses for farm crops.

The event is hosted in conjunction with State Representative Kathryn Bowers who has introduced industrial hemp legislation in Tennessee in 1998 and 1999. Featured speakers include Geof Kime of Hempline Inc, Gero Leson, International Fiber Technologies Group (IfTech), Inc., Erwin Lloyd, BioComposite Solutions, and Bill Miller, Board Member, North American Industrial Hemp Council. Other speakers will also discuss technologies ranging from production & processing to industrial manufacturing with agricultural materials such as rice, cotton, corn, soybeans, kenaf, bamboo, wheat and flax. Materials discussed include adhesives, plastics, textiles, pulp & paper, composites and non-wovens. Field tours and product demonstrations will include production and processing equipment, harvesting and handling demonstrations and innovative materials made from industrial hemp and other agricultural materials.

For more information contact: Agro-Tech Communications, 7344 Raleigh Lagrange Rd., Cordova, Tennessee 38018. Ph: 901-757-1777, Fax: 901-937-7884, email: fiber@netten.net, http://www.agrotechfiber.com/showcase/index.html

Woodstock: Canada's Outdoor Farm Show September 14-16th

Overwhelming public demand is bringing industrial hemp back to Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, held annually in Woodstock, Ontario. According to event organisers, "Hemp Hit a Chord in 1998," with the Industrial Hemp Tent packed with farmers interested in new growing opportunities, producing industrial hemp, and the processes that follow. Doug Wagner, Show Co-ordinator, says, "The Industrial Hemp Exhibition is part of our ongoing commitment to provide a catalyst that will bring workable harvesting technology to Ontario farmers."

This year promises to be even more interesting. The exhibit will include an industrial hemp plot, the Industrial Hemp Information Tent, a speaker's forum and a hemp fashion show. Experts will be on hand to answer questions on cultivating and processing hemp. Exhibitors in the hemp tent will include Spiritstream, Simply Hemp and Earth Scents Soap Company and many others who will offer a great range of hemp-based products such as vitamins, paper, detergents, cosmetics, clothes and paint.

Visit this site in August for more details: http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/html/hemp.htm

For more information on Canada's Outdoor Farm Show or on becoming an exhibitor in this event, contact Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, 193 Woolwich Street, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H 3V4. 1-800-563-5441, 1-519-822-1092 (fax), email: ginty@sentex.net

Germany: CannaBusiness, September 17-19th

The 4th International CannaBusiness will take place on September 17-19th, in Hennef, Germany. CannaBusiness is the world's biggest forum for the international hemp community. The show has a strong trade and consumer mix in their attendees and exhibitors from all along the value-added chain. Sections will be devoted to hemp products (31% of last year's show), institutions and associations, media, herbs and teas, and more. The complementary Bioresource Hemp symposium, organised by the nova Institute, will be held in a separate exhibition hall: special topics this year include fibre separation and processing, industrial hemp products such as technical textiles and composite materials for the automotive industry, and resource trading.

Contact for CannaBusiness: Tri Tec Gmbh, Postfach 10 25 66 D- 44725 Bochum, Tel: +49 (0) 324-935 79 72, fax: + 49 (0) 234-935 79 75, email: tritec.gmbh@cityweb.de, http://www.cannabusiness.com (Note: this is a dual language site).

Contact for Bioresource Hemp: nova-Institute, Goldenbergstr. 2 D-50354 Hürth, Fax: +49 (0) 2233 94 36 83. email: nova-H@T-online.de.

Toronto: HIA Annual Convention, September 23-26th,

The Hemp Industries Association will be having their 6th Annual Convention, on September 23-26th, 1999, outside of Toronto, Ontario. This members and their guests only event will be hosted by Larry Duprey of The Hemp Club/Chanvre en Ville of Montreal and Ruth Shamai of The Natural Order and R&D Hemp of Toronto. Conference Highlights will include North American Hemp Industry Presenters, Workshops, World Hemp News Update, New Hemp Products, tour of a licensed hemp operation, announcement of HIA Board and Executive Election results for 2000, delicious hemp cuisine with fresh Canadian seed and oil, and a lot more. Truly a great schmooze.

If you are Canadian and would like to join the HIA in order to attend this event, please contact: Jason Freeman, (604) 255-7979, jfreeman@ssm.net For full details on convention registration and travel guides, please contact: the HIA at: 797-874-3648, Fax: 707-874-1104, email: info@thehia.org, http://www.thehia.org.

Rolling Meadows, Illinois: NAIHC 5th Annual Conference, November 4th-6th

This 5th annual meeting and international conference of the North American Industrial Hemp Council (NAIHC) is an opportunity to learn more about annual industrial fibre crops and to interact with agricultural and industrial experts. We will exchange ideas, discuss opportunities, and explore the economic potential of industrial hemp for farmers and industry. The conference will allow farmers, researchers, industry, environmentalists, and public policy makers to form educational networks to advance industrial hemp as a renewable agricultural fibre.

The tentative agenda for the conference includes: country overviews, fibre uses, processing technologies, expanding fibre shortages, role of hemp in sustainable agriculture, new market development, carbohydrate economy, Canada's 1999 industrial hemp crop, and a report on NAIHC's petition to the DEA. A trade show will complement the conference; space is limited. A membership business meeting will precede the conference on Thursday, November 4th from 3-5 p.m.

Watch here for updates: http://www.naihc.org or contact NAIHC - Theresa, PO Box 259329, Madison, Wisconsin 53725-9329. email: conference@naihc.org, Ph: 608-224-5137, Fax: 608-224-5111

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HEMP PAPER BUSINESS CARDS.
Home print 250 of your own hemp business cards on your ink jet for $26 (CDN in Canada, US in US). Mail order through Green Man Nonwood Papermill - 2J - 138 West 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1K6 -
Call 604-708-4403, Fax: 604-08-4425 or email:
greenman@lynx.bc.ca

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MARKETPLACE

Looking for dehulled hempseed?? - Hemp Oil Canada Inc. - email: hempoilcan@techplus.com

_______________________________________________________________________

THC testing of hemp crops, seed oil and seed cake.
Health Canada Licensed Laboratory
Meatherall Consulting, 133 Augusta Dr., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 4N6
Phone: 204-269-0630; Fax: 204-75-1420; email: meather@cc.umanitoba.ca

_______________________________________________________________________

Sotos Petrides, former publisher of Commercial Hemp, and President of Wiseman Noble Sales and Marketing Ltd., and until recently, Acting Director of Public Outreach and Communication for Health Canada's Office of Natural Health Products, would like it to be known that he can be reached in Ottawa at (613) 565-4016.

_______________________________________________________________________

REACH A WIDE QUALIFIED AUDIENCE THROUGH ADVERTISING IN THE HCFR.
Sponsorship and positions are also available.
For more information, please contact Jason Freeman jfreeman@ssm.net

_______________________________________________________________________

AHEM - CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY
Writing, Editing and Research Services, Media Outreach, Business-to-Business Communications, and Grant Writing.
Contact: Arthur Hanks Editing and Media Services,
909 Windermere St., Vancouver, BC, V5K 4J6.
Call (604) 255-4332, fax (810) 314-2138
Or email arthurhanks@hotmail.com

_______________________________________________________________________

SUPPORTING ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE:

Earthemp, soapinfo@earthscents-soap.com
Fibrex Québec Inc, info@fibrexcanada.com
Hempbrokers.com, http://www.hempbrokers.com
Hedron Analytical, paulh@istar
Cloud Mountain Inc, cloudmtn@interlog.com
Dr. B. Marc Alfred, alfred@interchange.ubc.ca
BioHemp Ltd., jfreeman@biohemp.com
Greenman Nonwood Papermill, greenman@lynx.bc.ca

Tell them you saw it in the HCFR!

_______________________________________________________________________

DISTRIBUTION:

The HCFR is available for free to interested parties only on the Internet. Direct subscription for this issue is 1,000+. We encourage Associations working in the industry to circulate the HCFR to their members (*.txt versions are available to interested parties, please contact us.)

THE HCFR ON THE WWW:

Back issues of the HCFR are posted on three leading industrial hemp web sites: Natural Hemphasis, Hemptrade and HempWorld's Wide Web. Check us out at:

http://www.hemphasis.com/hcfr
http://www.hemptrade.com/hcfr or
http://www.hempworld.com/hwmag.cfm

Thanks to David Marcus, Terry Lefebvre and Mari Kane for their continuing good work on making needed information available.

SUBSCRIPTION INFO:

To subscribe directly to the HCFR, please email jfreeman@ssm.net with SUBSCRIBE in your message line. We will keep you posted about the latest news, alerts and other special offers. If you no longer want to receive email about Canada's hemp industry, please email us at the same address, message line UNSUBSCRIBE.

_______________________________________________________________________

NEXT ISSUE: September 2nd, 1999

© 1999 AHEM, ARTHUR HANKS. NOT TO BE DUPLICATED FOR FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL GAIN. CONTACT US ABOUT REPRODUCTION RIGHTS.