Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2001 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Jenni Bast Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n227/a09.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp) WHY EVEN CONSIDER GROWING INDUSTRIAL HEMP? Dear Editor, I am writing in response to Boyd Holmes' letter about the possible production of industrial hemp in Illinois. According to the research in Canada, industrial hemp does not like to have a wet seedbed. In the low areas of the fields, the hemp seeds planted did not germinate. On the other end, hemp does not like dryness. Drought caused poor growth in the seeds. Constant soil conditions are very difficult to maintain, especially here in Illinois with the heavy flooding and drought we often face. Most importantly, selling hemp is posing a problem for the farmers in Canada. Farmers have been growing hemp for three years and they are already worried about an overabundance. The Gen-X Company in Canada reported that prices for hemp have fallen by almost 25 percent. The farmers in Canada have such a large surplus that cultivating this year may not be necessary. Germany is also experiencing loss in profit. At one point, German hemp farmers were making $520 per acre, though a year later that was halved. Several other crops exist as alternatives for the farmers such as kenaf and cuphea. So, the question is not whether or not grow hemp, it is why even consider it? Jenni Bast Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: GD