Pubdate: Wed, 01 Mar 2006
Source: 100 Mile House Free Press (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 100 Mile House Free Press
Contact:  http://www.100milefreepress.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2143
Author: Kathy Michaels
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)

MAYOR MEETS HEMP RESEARCHERS

The future is bright for those getting in on the ground level with 
Industrial hemp products.

Mayor Donna Barnett attended a fibre conference in Calgary Feb. 16-17 
and learned there was a world of opportunity for those in the 
industrial hemp business.

"It was very, very interesting," she said. "It was information 
sharing on what kind of research is being done out there, and what 
kind of product is being made."

Representatives from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and 
B.C. were at the meeting, she said. The rest of those in attendance 
were researchers or people in the private sector who were keen on 
sussing out opportunities.

Barnett concluded that 100 Mile got in on something that "will only 
get bigger."

"I think we are very fortunate that we got into it at this time and 
at the ground level," she said.

Barnett had the opportunity to speak to a group that is building 
houses in developing nations.

"It's (the group) funded through a charity, and they are looking very 
seriously at building with other types of fibre, basically industrial 
hemp," Barnett said. "The cost of oil and gas keeps going up and if 
you are trying to provide homes for Third World companies and the 
costs keep going up, it gets harder and harder."

Surging costs are why there is a great deal of research being done on 
less costly materials, like the fibre board that can be made from hemp.

Barnett noted that she learned about the nutritive value of hemp as well.

"It's just amazing," she said. "It's just absolutely very fascinating 
for me, who this is something very new for."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman