IN THIS ISSUE:

Part One:
Editorial
To the Editor:
Ditchweed requires special licensing
True numbers surrounding fibre supply
Top of the Crop:
1) Future Looks Bright for Manitoba Growers
2) US Border Clears Up Again … for the time being
3) Hemp Has a Hard Time...staying on the food shelves
4) MEPs Oppose Proposal for Reform of Flax and Hemp Subsidies
5) Health Canada Splits Three Ways
6) Hemp to Keep Status as "Novel" Food
Gear and Clothing and Lost Wages

Part Two:
Hemp’s Enemy Weeds
Hemp as Silage: Alberta Research Results
Peace River, Alberta: Rycroft Hemp Trials
Hemp Farmer Makeover
1999 Comparison of Industrial Hemp Grain composition for oil, protein, fibre, essential amino acids and fatty acids from across Northern Ontario

Part Three:
HCFR Special: Oglala Sioux Plant Industrial Hemp
Seeds for Sovereignty

Part Four
Small Ontario company has Big Plans for Hemp-based Frozen Desert
Hemp Shorts
a) Domtar releases hemp/sugarcane Weeds paper
b) Canolio Cosmetics preaches beauty through health
c) REVIEW: Nelson's Hemp Husbandry is one of the best
d) Now available: OTA's Organic Fiber Directory
e)COMING SOON --- Canadian Hemp: Bibliography and Resource Guide
f) Web Worthies...you've got mail!
g) HCFR Recipe of the Month: Beer for the home brewer
Show Reports
NCCT Conference Report
Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo Report
Saskatchewan Hemp Association Update
Upcoming Events
Marketplace
Masthead, Credits, and more info

Announcement, Annonce, Ansage, Aviso

Peut-être si nous ne pouvons pas parler entre eux, peut-être nos ordinateurs peuvent aider. Vérifiez Babelfish, un outil de traduction en ligne libre trouvé à: http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/translate? . Saisissez le URL ou le texte que vous voulez traduit en votre langage du choix (cinq options de votre langue maternelle), et vous devriez obtenir une traduction brute. Faites-nous savoir cela fonctionne!
Möglicherweise, wenn wir nicht miteinander sprechen können, möglicherweise können unsere Computer helfen. Überprüfen Sie aus Babelfish, ein freies Onlineübersetzungshilfsmittel, das an gefunden wird: http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/translate? . Tippen Sie das URL oder den Text ein, die Sie übersetzt in Ihre Sprache der Wahl (fünf Optionen von Ihrer Muttersprache) wünschen, und Sie sollten eine Rohübersetzung erhalten. Informieren Sie uns, wie es funktioniert!
Quizás si no podemos hablar el uno al otro, nuestros ordenadores pueden ayudar quizá. Controle fuera de Babelfish, una herramienta de traducción en línea libre encontrada en: http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/translate? . Pulse adentro el URL o el texto que usted desea traducido a su lenguaje de la opción (cinco opciones de su lengua materna), y usted debe conseguir una traducción áspera. Sepamos trabaja!

Editorial
Welcome back to the HCFR!

Well, it’s been almost two months since our last edition, so we have a lot of material ready for you this time.

This issue is posted in four parts:

Part I includes some of the most pertinent news that has come down the pike in the last few months, including an update on Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers, our latest border report, and key news from Health Canada. Also, don't miss Dr. Sumach's gem of a story on a hempen B&E this spring.

Part II is focussed on agriculture, and leads off with a great article by Sasha Przytyk on hemp's enemy weeds. The section also has reports on some top-flight research from Alberta and Northern Ontario. As well, we have prepared a piece on market development for the independent-minded producers out there.

Part III is a special feature devoted to the April planting of industrial hemp by the Oglala Sioux nation. As America continues its national soul searching, this event should be considered as important as last year's groundbreaking Hawaii crop. Note that this piece is a bit graphic heavy, so if you are reading this online and have a slower connection, be patient, take a good breath and maybe stand up and take a good stretch too. Thanks to Craig Putnam for his eyewitness account and keen shutterbug eye; I only regret that we couldn't include all of his photos with this report.

Don't miss Part IV either, as it opens with a great piece on Christina's Cool Hemp --- one of the best food secrets, I think, in the country. Much more follows so be sure to read all the way through to Marketplace, where some interesting offers and opportunities are posted.

About our team: With the HCFR's move to Regina, Saskatchewan, we have been reorganising and renewing. I'd like to announce that Jason Freeman is stepping down from the HCFR's Sales and Sponsorship role, effective June 1st. Many of you are aware that Jason has his own commercial interests in this industry (i.e. BioHemp Technologies), and as the HCFR grows, it serves the industry best for this trade publication to keep an arm's length. Jason will be keeping his ownership share of the HCFR until such time as he can recoup his investment, but will no longer be representing this publication.

Blair McDaid of Regina's B&M Agency will be stepping forward to fill his shoes. Blair brings us valuable experience in the government and commercial advertising sectors and is looking forward to the HCFR experience. He can be reached at 306-757-9236 or by email for now at hcfr@sk.sympatico.ca .

We'll have some more HCFR business news for you by our next issue.

As hemp enters its third commercial year of growth in this country, the HCFR is proud to keep contributing to this innovative and sustainable industry. Thanks to all of our writers and industry supporters who have played their parts in making this publication thrive. And thanks also to all the readers who have asked me when the next issue is coming out!

Have a good read; we'll see you again next month.

Best,

Arthur Hanks
May 2000
Regina, Sakatchewan
arthurhanks@hotmail.com

To the Editor:
Ditchweed requires special licensing
Greetings Arthur,
Thanks for another great issue of the HCFR. There are a couple of things I thought I should comment on.

The first is in relation to the following excerpt from your most recent issue: "Operation Ditchweed" (See Marketplace).

As I indicated at the Hemp 2000 conference, ditchweed requires special licensing. Anyone who is working with ditchweed must have a research licence; anyone who is selling or providing it must be covered under the research licence to do so, and anyone who possess it must also be covered under the research licence. This cannot be handled under the Industrial Hemp Regulations.

Anyone who possess it, sells it or provides it without a licence is contravening the regulations and are liable to prosecution.

Our mailing address: We moved recenlty and will be moving again in the near future. Therefore, the mailing address on the HC website is incorrect. We are now at the following location: (SEE: Health Canada splits three ways in this issue)

Regards
Niels Hansen-Trip, Health Canada

True numbers surrounding fibre supply
Arthur,
Thanks again for the publicity that your HCFR continues to provide both to ARC and to the industry!

Just a couple of small issues that really need to be addressed to prevent misinformation. As this industry is so sensitive to numbers being thrown out there, it is important that we correct the numbers we know to be in error.

In Part 2 of HCFR/10 (Hemp 2000 Report), you quoted me as saying that "...pulps derived from softwood chips run at $80-115 tonne, and hardwood at $85-90 t,...". In fact, these are WOOD costs, not pulp costs, and as I stated in my presentation they are regionally-dependent.
Further in the same paragraph, you stated that the "Published estimates for the value of hemp fibre range from $20 t ...". This is correct, provided that you add the word "standing" after the phrase "unretted whole stalk". Baled values start at about $50 per tonne for unretted whole stalk.

The point that I was trying to raise with these figures is that hemp can be an economically viable raw material for papermaking. In regions where hemp is grown, it can be even less expensive than wood as a raw material, with a strong probability of improving paper quality as well.

I would greatly appreciate if you would publish a quick note in your upcoming issue to "re-inform" your readership of the true numbers surrounding fibre supply. These true values actually represent increased value and opportunity to farmers over the values that were published.

Wade Chute, Senior Research Engineer - Agrifibres
Alberta Research Council

Top Of The Crop
1) Future Looks Bright for Manitoba Growers
Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Reorganise as a New Generation Co-op
By Giselle Lussier

Rich golden spears of industrial hemp growing on 250 acres of David Van DeVelde’s farmland a few miles east of Mariapolis held the appearance of a great crop signifying a renewed hope for the future of a producer wanting to diversify.

The 250 acres that were planted in 1999, yielding 920 lbs. an acre, at a cost of $80/acre for seed, may not have been a bumper crop, but it was slightly above average. VanDeVelde had all of it contracted to Consolidated Growers Processors at a price of 0.54 cents a lb.

The future that once looked really bright received a mean curve when VanDeVelde heard news that the American-based CGP declared Chapter Seven bankruptcy over the winter of 2000. "I was sick. Even a couple of weeks ago when I would go to town and people would want to ask what was happening, I couldn’t even talk about it," said VanDeVelde.

Now, however David is able to talk about industrial hemp without his stomach experiencing a nervous flutter. The reason for his renewed health has nothing to do with anti-acids, but has everything to do with 230 industrial hemp growers pulling together by becoming members of a New Generation Co-operative, Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Ltd., based out of Dauphin, Manitoba.

Originally he had anticipated a few growing pains, aware that he was taking a bit of a gamble as last year --- hail insurance was not available for him then. He also knew, as it was common knowledge, that industrial hemp can be a challenge at harvest time. He first began harvesting on September 18^th. It was a little too green, so harvesting was halted for a couple of weeks. He learned one trick: carefully check the equipment every few rounds. Other than the last 40 acres, there really weren’t any problems to speak of.

VanDeVelde says that his new found optimism arises from the fact that the growers are pulling together: "Could you imagine the mayhem if everyone were to panic and try unloading the product themselves? That would result in nothing but devastation to the market, which now more then ever I feel will become a viable one," says VanDeVelde.

Susan Slingerman, Manager Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers commented that once they heard the news about CGP, the Board of Directors asked that all producers who had contracts with CGP join Parkland. "The response was great, well over 90% of the producers climbed aboard. Parkland originally had 75 members. We are presently 230 members strong," said Slingerman. She added that a producer didn't have to be under contract with CGP to join the co-operative.

Slingerman also paid tribute to CGP, commenting that although they did do some things wrong, most of what they did was done right: " Without CGP we would not have been privy to the expertise of growing this crop. CGP sent experts over to assist us by showing us what to look out for, they educated us on growing conditions and they had access to the seed. They didn’t do everything wrong, without them we would not be as far along as we are. We are the recipients of what they did right."

Joe Federorvich, chair of Parkland, as well as a hemp producer who grew 750 acres last year, recently announced that Darryl McElroy, former marketer for CGP had been hired by Parkland to look for industrial hemp markets. "And the markets seem to be coming in with contract prices matching CGP’s and some even better," said Federorvich who added that this would not be the case if the producers hadn’t pulled together.

"As any new industry there are growing pains and we are experiencing ours now. I really think that by getting the kinks out now, industrial hemp will become a stronger commodity in the future," surmised Slingerman.

All in all the people who are driving this industry are the growers, and Slingerman forecasts a booming industry in the near future. "Certainly there are hurdles to overcome," she said.

"Whether or not we put hemp in the ground this growing season depends on how much we sell and what markets are in place," added Federovich. Both he and Slingerman say that if they are able to sell 50% of the 5 million pounds the growers have in storage, new acreage would be planted in 2000 ( As of mid-May, Parkland was "cautiously optimistic" and estimated that the co-op would plant between 5000-6000 acres this year.)

"We aren’t trying to be Kingpins of industrial hemp… we see a viable market for the product and we see it as a great opportunity for producers who are wanting to diversify," said Slingerman in closing.

Giselle Lussier is a freelance writer based out of Glenboro, Manitoba. Her article on Warren Ellis of Prairie Hemp, appeared in HCFR #1, May 1999.

2) US Border Clears Up Again … for the time being

Much of the support for a ban on hemp products in the US government originates with the US military. According to US Air Force newsletter The Kadena Shogun (Feb. 12^th, 1999 edition): "In the mid-'80s, the standard urinalysis testing became an effective weapon in the Air Force war against drugs. Now, the program that has produced a healthy force of drug-free professionals may be compromised by something actually being touted as a healthy dietary supplement. It's called hemp oil."

According to the Air Force judge advocate general's office in the Pentagon, the dispute about servicemen using hemp products is not based on the health claims of hemp oil, but that the ingestion of healthy hemp products "effectively interferes" with the Air Force's ability to maintain a drug-free force.

The Kadena Shogun article also asserts that "… it is perfectly legal to import hemp products into the country."

Hemp lobbyist and Hawaii State Representative Cynthia Thielen (R-Kailua), warns that ONDCP Drug "Czar" Barry McCaffrey is currently circulating amendments to the CSA that would ban hemp products from the US. The three proposed amendments state: a) Strike all exemptions, completely eliminating the importation, trade and possession of hemp products; b) exempt only hemp fibre which is used to produce paper, cloth, and other legitimate commercial products; or c) provide for an exemption for products not used for human consumption.

For more up-to-date news and backgrounders on this issue, check out www.hempembargo.com

Have a hemp trade horror story? Write the HCFR and let us know. All leads welcome.

3) Hemp Has a Hard Time ... staying on the food shelves
Cribs and insights drawn from a recent article in Canadian Grocer, "For Hemp Lovers, Health is the Ultimate High" (March 1^st)

• Hemp-based food and drink products are being snapped up by consumers in record numbers, and have a hard time staying on the shelves in some markets
• Health food stores are the primary retail outlet for hemp foods
• While hemp supply was sporadic in the past, retailers say it's improved. It's no longer "mum and pop" companies involved
• The adaptation of mass marketing techniques have helped earn hemp food a place in retail
• Division remains as to whether the cannabis leaf is a useful or a misleading marketing icon
• Hempola's Greg Herriot says that focussing on the health aspects is the best promotional path
• "Home-grown" or Canadian-grown may also be a marketing asset
• According to Ruth Shamai of Ruth's Hemp Foods, novelty and nutritional interest will stimulate initial trial, but believes flavour and "wonderful texture" will drive repeat sales.
• Retailers cite needed education for both retailers and consumers to move product consistently
• Pamphlets, newspaper clippings, providing hemp recipes and websites are good educational tools
• In store demos that give a shopper an experience --- seeing, touching, smelling and tasting --- are the most effective way of launching a new product
• Other hemp assets: high nutritional value and its walnut-like taste, high content of fibre and complete protein, its essential fatty acid profile, and 80% polyunsaturated fat content, "the highest of all vegetable oils"
• One obstacle to consumer acceptance is high cost; it is hoped that recent increases in commercial production should help bring the cost down
• Due to the botanical relation with psychoactive cannabis, misconceptions about hemp remain an obstacle among both retailers and consumers, as well as a lingering "giggle" factor. On the whole, the food retail industry is unsure whether the food is a "food of the future" or "the latest food and fashion fad"

For more on Canadian Grocer, check out www.canadiangrocer.com

4) MEPs Oppose Proposal for Reform of Flax and Hemp Subsidies
(See HCFR #8, January 2000, for more on this issue)

While criticising the strategy advocated by the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament argue that it is doubtful whether the proposal would put an end to pure subsidy hunting while at the same time safeguarding and encouraging small and medium-sized holdings. The report argues "the proposals would be more likely to overshoot the target and signify the end for the entire sector. The system must be reorganised so as to cover the actual situation and stabilise the market for the future".

The Commission proposes that the new market organisation and area payment arrangements should come into force on 1 July this year. However, Committee members argue this date is not realistic "since such far- reaching reform necessitates a certain running-in period for implementation and consultation".

Areas sown with flax and hemp have increased dramatically over recent years. In 1994 for example, 70,000 hectares were sown with flax and 7,000 hectares with hemp. In 1999, by contrast, flax was being cultivated on 208,000 ha and hemp on 32,000 ha. In the space of just four years, Community spending has more than doubled, rising from Euro 74 million in 1995 to 173 million in 2000. Irrespective of increased output and an increase in real demand, this expansion in the area under cultivation is attributable to "subsidy hunting". The rules have become very complex, while additional checks and administrative procedures are very difficult to manage.

Three-way reform: The Commission proposes to introduce two new Regulations: an amendment to Regulation (EC) Nø 1251/1999 establishing a general support system for certain arable crops to include flax and hemp grown for fibres, and a Regulation concerning the common organisation of the market in flax and hemp grown for fibres.

This strategy for reform of the sector is essentially structured around three points. Firstly area payment arrangements, with flax and hemp to be included in the system provided for in Council Regulation (EC) Nø 1251/1999 establishing a support regime for producers of certain arable crops. The area payments for flax and hemp grown for fibre are to be brought down to the level of area payments for cereals in three stages. In addition, restrictions and checks relating to hemp are to be introduced to prevent illegal cultivation for the production of psychotropic substances. Secondly, support is to be provided in the form of processing aid per tonne of flax and hemp straw, with a distinction being drawn between long flax fibres and short flax fibres with specified characteristics. Finally, the Commission proposes a mechanism to stabilise budgetary resources channelled into processing aid, since there are no limits on areas sown to flax and hemp grown for fibre and the areas under cultivation have increased dramatically in recent years.

For this reason, a maximum guaranteed quantity will be set for long flax fibre and another for both short flax fibre and hemp fibre. The two maximum guaranteed quantities will be allocated among the Member States as national guaranteed quantities. The EU-wide maximum guaranteed quantity for long flax fibre will be 75,500 tonnes per marketing year, and that for short flax fibre and hemp fibre 119,250 tonnes. The national guaranteed quantities for short flax fibre and hemp fibre will cease to apply from the 2005/2006 marketing year.

Source: European Report (Europe Information Service - Brussels)

5) Health Canada Splits Three Ways
The branch of government charged with protecting the health of Canadians is disappearing. It will be replaced by three new organizations as of July 1st. Health Products and Foods will monitor the safety of things like food, drugs, natural health products, related biotechnology and medical devices; Environmental and Product Safety will oversee areas like product safety and tobacco control; Population and Public Health will concentrate on disease control.

HC says that the reorganisation will allow the minstry to focus more strongly on the broad areas under its responsibility and create better comunication between scientists and managers. The reorganisation also allows for regional offices to take a more direct role in managing programs, leading to more collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.

As of press time, HC spokesperson Roslyn Tremblay indicated that no decision has yet been made on whether the "Hemp Bureau" would fall under the Health Products and Food or Environmental and Product Safety.

CHECK YOUR FILES: UPDATED ADDRESS FOR THE HEMP OFFICE:
For regular mail:
OFFICE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Controlled Substances - Hemp/Regulations
18th Floor, Room 1815, 280 - Standard Life Centre
AL 3618 B
280 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1B9

by Courier:
OFFICE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Controlled Substances - Hemp/Regulations
18th Floor, Room 1815, 280 - Standard Life Centre
280 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9

(Please note that it is very likely that the Hmep Office will have a new address by July, 2000, once the Ministry has decided how to reorganise itself)

Sources: CBC (April 17th report), Health Canada

6) Hemp to Keep Status as "Novel" Food
Health Canada's Interim Position Released

Health Canada has released their interim position on hemp foods (See HCFR November issue) . This will be in effect until the ministry has completed a review of the evidence of "history of safe use" of hemp in foods and a decision is made about the status of hemp foods as Novel Foods.

Eric Driscoll of the Novel Food Directorate notes that "Labelling is not required except for listing the hemp ingredient appropriately in the list of ingredients. Notification of hemp foods should be sent to the Food Directorate. We are trying to monitor what products there are in the marketplace and appreciate manufacturers, importers, distributors notifying this office of the products they plan to sell/are selling. We would also like to add them to our mailing list so that if there is any news we can get it out to the industry."

Novel Food Regulations in Brief
Because hemp foods and hemp food ingredients do not appear to have a history of safe use, according to the definition of a novel food, Health Canada's interim position is that hemp foods and hemp food ingredients are Novel Foods and hence, subject to the Novel Food Regulations.

A committee of the Health Protection Branch, including evaluators from the programs of Food, Environmental Health, and Therapeutic Products, is currently evaluating the risk of consuming hemp in foods. The report is expected to come out sometime this year, followed by the development of a policy on this issue.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of hemp foods or hemp food ingredients are urged to contact the Directorate with their intention to work with hemp foods or hemp food ingredients in Canada, accompanied with information about the manufacture, ingredients, level of THC in hemp foods. The Directorate also welcomes any evidence of a history of safe use of hemp in foods, including published articles about hemp foods and their use (either historical or modern) from either a scientific or cultural perspective.

Information will help assist in drawing a conclusion about the novel food status of hemp foods. In evaluating hemp foods as novel foods, Health Canada has said that they will make a determination whether the traditional use of hemp foods was classified as "safe". Additionally, the differences between the pattern of historical cultural use will be compared to that of modern use by urban populations with a highly developed commercial food supply.

The crux of the safety concern about hemp foods and hemp food ingredients is the level of THC (the psychoactive chemical Trans-Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in these products. According to the position paper, Health Canada suggests that THC can be bioaccumulated in body tissues and a "safe" limit for daily intake for THC has not been established in the current regulations. Effects of THC as a result of bioaccumulation remain unknown at this point.

Currently, if the level of THC present is less than 10 ppm (as outlined in the Industrial Hemp Regulations), the ingredient may be used in foods. Hemp food ingredients of seed or grain, such as oil and seed cake, are exempted from the Regulations if there is evidence that the food ingredients contain no more than 10 ppm of THC and carry appropriate labelling. However, the Food Directorate considers that THC to be a contaminant and would prefer that no THC were found in food sold in Canada; however, they note that "whether this can be achieved is unknown at this time".

Questions by food manufacturers and importers regarding the use of viable hemp or non viable hemp seed in food products should be directed to the Therapeutic Products Programme "Hemp Line" at 613-954-6524 or Hemp_BdsTpd@hc-sc.gc.ca

For information or questions pertaining to hemp or hemp content foods, or the full interim position statement contact: Eric Driscoll, Nutrition Evaluation Division, Tel: 613-957-0352, Fax: 613-941-6636, Eric_Driscoll@hc-sc.gc.ca or www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment

When-bad-things-happen-to-good-people-dept. Far away fromthe farmgate, past the jurisdiction of the hemp regulations, at a time when carbohydrate is reborn as stylish textile; hemp enters the retail marketplace, swinging ... and someone else is there, heaving a mean sucker punch.
Gear and Clothing and Lost Wages
Thieves target Ottawa's Premier ECO Hemp Store
By Dr. Alexander Sumach

An after-hours robbery in late March at Ottawa's favourite Eco Store, Arbour Environmental Shoppe on Bank Street, suggests that stylish and durable hemp clothing represents a highly prized trophy haul for underworld operators. Thieves vanished into the night with dozens of new hemp jeans, shirts and T-shirts worth an estimated $10,000.

Hemp garments in all styles, sizes and colours were taken. Other more expensive items were completely passed over, implying that these hemp thieves knew exactly what they were looking for.

"Whoever robbed us ignored expensive solar electric panels, computers and cash to just grab hemp clothing," says owner Sean Twomey who has operated his landmark store for ten years without incident.

Arbour had just taken delivery of their big spring summer hemp stock from such notable Canadian manufacturers as Spirit Stream and Simply Hemp, only to have it disappear in one pop out the back door under cover of darkness.

Commercial insurance will cover part of this loss but Arbour has to reorder all over again to remain the Ottawa Valley's best and first choice for hemp clothing. The store is obliged to pay suppliers for the stolen stock. However, the Canadian hemp community showed their support for Arbours' plight; several businesses called Arbour to show solidarity and to offer compassionate arrangements to ensure that Ottawa will be able to shop for hemp this summer without a hitch.

Hemp is Arbours' most famous stock mix in their eco friendly store and in comparison, hemp based items are more frequently swiped than any other item --- this casual in store inventory suggests that hemp garments are becoming increasingly more popular as time passes.

Crime will not pay if crime does not stay, and Arbour staff is on diligent alert to prevent this happening again. Twomey reminds us that theft is a serious retail problem and suggests that hemp storeowners keep a hard eye on their valuable stock.

Arbour points to Toronto's Friendly Stranger store on Queen Street East, as a model hemp retail operation that combines good product presentation and no nonsense security measures to best advantage. Friendly Stranger proprietors Robin Ellis and Joy keep their entire hemp inventory firmly attached on wall displays, store extra stock behind the counter, keep small items in glass display cases and chain hemp information books up to the wall. If anyone wants to see some wonderful hemp creation, the staff assist them in every way --- except to obtain it for free.

Toronto is awakening to its new status a modern, world-class city with all the aberrations of urbanity, and swats the flies of annoying crime with typical Ontario certainty. Vancouver is still the country's first place hemp rip-off zone, as we recall the now defunct Hemp BC's eternal struggle with the street-level grassroots retail hemp liberation programme, aka "shoplifting Olympics." Ottawa, the beige frontier of stability and order is starting to see a few dings on the doorknob too. No Canadian city is immune from the perils of a fluid society that drifts from the moral contract from time to time.

By far, most hemp customers are decent and honest folk who just want value for their money. Hemp retailing is still a good business, but like any business where the public is at liberty to examine your goods - owners must stay alert to opportunity and watch for the few bad apples that roll into your shop.

If you are aware of any suspicious offers from mysterious distributors of hemp garments and believe pirate vendors may be selling Arbours' (or anyone's) stolen hemp stock, feel free to call the police (who are on our side now). Canadian Hemp was first rendered legal in the fair city of Ottawa, it is an insult that hemp is a target for thieves in the aftermath of such grace and liberty. Arbour is standing on guard and this won't happen again. Don't let it happen to you either --- pay attention or pay the price.

Arbour Enviromental Shoppe, Sean Twomey at (613)567-3168 arbour@arbour.on.ca

______________________________________________________________________
© 1999-2000 AHEM/HCFR PUBLISHING, ARTHUR HANKS. INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES REMAIN PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR(S). NOT TO BE DUPLICATED FOR FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL GAIN. CONTACT US ABOUT REPRODUCTION RIGHTS.