Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 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
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.)

HEMP IDEAS SPROUTING

The seeds that could put 100 Mile on the map as an industrial hemp  
hub are on order and may be blooming soon.

Mayor Donna Barnett met with the Hemp Steering Committee April 10,  
and said that although she doesn't have an exact date, she knows the  
seeds will be planted in the not-so-distant future.

During the meeting the group dicussed various ways grains and fibre  
from the plant will be utilized, and put some finishing touches on  
the funding applications.

"This year we will be producing a lot more grain than fibre," she  
said. "There's an opportunity because the markets are so strong for  
the health products from the grain."

Products springing from the seeds are foods, oils, and personal  
hygene items.

However, it's not all body creams and butters in the group's future.

"There is a lot of work to do in researching marketing and product  
development in the next year," she said.

The group will be partnering with the Canim Lake Indian Band and the  
University of Northen B.C. (UNBC) to bring the project to fruition,  
she said.

"We have a lady that works as a researcher at UNBC, and she will be  
doing a lot of the research work with UNBC students once the data is  
gathered," she explained.

Once the seeds are grown, the group will analyze the growth and yield  
of the plant in addition to the cost.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl