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 hemp seed oil has a nutritional advantage as well.

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 hemp seed 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 hemp seed 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 hemp seed oil than in flaxseed oil. Obviously this needs work.

NOTES

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.

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.

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 hemp seed, 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.

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.

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.

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.

HFA
With hemp seed 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 hemp seed food producers and marketers. Membership will be extended to those involved in production, market development or researching hemp food or hemp seed oil for human consumption. Members will be expected to sign and hold to a Pledge of Quality (as outlined in HCFR #2).

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.

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 5^th Annual Industrial Hemp Conference on November 4th-7^th in Memphis, Tennessee.

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.

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 Fibre 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 nonwovens. 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.

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.

Germany: CannaBusiness, September 17-19^th

The 4^th International CannaBusiness will take place on September 17-19^th, 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.

The Hemp Industries Association will be having their 6^th Annual Convention, on September 23-26^th, 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.

This 4th 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.

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