Hemp Harvest

By Warren Bryson, NORML News Winter 2002

Number One Present is An End to Cannabis- Hemp-Medical Marijuana Prohibition Laws. Apart from the huge social, health, human rights, and economic benefits that will come with a change to regulation policies, the number one obstacle preventing the full potential of hemp being reached are our cannabis policies.

Instead of being able to develop hemp farms and industry based on selecting the best hemp varieties for specific environmental conditions and the end use we want, we are forced to choose from a meagre selection of less than a dozen varieties that meet the irrelevant (when we have regulation) criteria of having low THC levels. This Government has chosen to use a THC level of 0.35% as the maximum amount allowed. In terms of strength it is like comparing a beer with 0.35% instead of the standard 5% (which seems to be a normal THC average of Cannabis-Marijuana). Already one hemp farmer had his crop burnt when it slightly exceeded the THC limit. By ending the war on marijuana we will be able to remove the ultra low THC criteria therefore allowing farmers to choose from the best in the field.

Cannabis hemp prohibition prevented the legal growing of hemp until spring 2001. Until the laws are modified there is doubt the hemp industry will be able to flourish or reach its huge potential to rival, indeed one day takeover, the dairy industry. One day we will have to replace cow farming, which is polluting rivers and earth and air and putting the cows through much stress and suffering, with hemp plants healing the earth, cleansing the air and providing humans with the healthiest food for body and soul.

Let’s hope that day is soon. Change the law-let us grow the best plants-make the highest quality products-live in peace and love- that is Christmas present # One but I don’t think Santa will be able to deliver it.

Who then? That’s up to you and me and thousands of others and apart from lobbying, educating and doing actions, as the law is a political one, not based on natural laws of justice, then the law has to be changed politically. With Labour’s red turning a deep shade of blue it seems to me Green is the only way will see the Green herb grow into the big hemp plant it wants to be. So to help bring on # One prezzie, # Two will have to be a Green influence inside Government. Hopefully the Green Party can get enough votes and therefore seats to push more than just NO G.E. and help make Hemp free. But they can only do this if you vote Green and tell the Party what you want.

# 3 would be to see a more powerful hemp farming and industry lobby group. But that means financial support from you and me, any and all who want to set hemp free. We can be very grateful to the education, determination and hours put in by the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association, and in particular Mac McIntosh and Richard Barge. Unfortunately it has not been easy to convince the various ministers of health to let hemp grow and the NZHIA has been the most significant force encouraging government to finally allow trials. By getting more support the NZHIA will be more effective in promoting hemp and put more time and energy into research and development, building the hemp industry infrastructure and helping hemp-sters to succeed.

Prezzie # 4 comes via # 3 and that is an excellent base of information and technology.

Although hemp plants and machinery for cultivation and processing are very new to New Zealand you do not have to look too hard to find some answers. The United Kingdom has been growing hemp since the mid-90s along with Spain, Holland and Germany, while France, Russia, Hungary, China etc never stopped, so there is a lot of knowledge out there. When it comes to harvest time, adapting a combine harvester is the answer for large crops. This sort of info is readily available via the NZHIA and a growing number of books and articles.

Uses of Hemp
The easy part may be growing and harvesting the raw hemp with perhaps more time and money needing to be spent on manufacturing and retailing. We all know there are thousands of uses with hemp but which ones will be best in NZ? Making hemp cloth is doubtful as a pretty large industry has to be organised to match the quality, quantity and costs of the imported fabric coming mainly from China and Hungary. Although great from an environmental sense, fuel energy is also a long way off in NZ (unless we escalate in middle-eastern wars). The set up costs to make energy and distribute it would be in the multi-millions so at this stage hemp-fuel would not be competitive against petroleum products.

We have to develop those industries most viable for NZ domestic use and export. Of course anything made from the seed is bound to be a winner (providing it is made safely - hempseed is so so good but so so sensitive to damage). Roll on the hemp milks, ice creams and cheeses. Building products, be they safe and warm insulation or light and durable bricks, are sure to come about making it possible to live in a house of hemp one day soon….

Finally to help all the above come about it would be wonderful for the government to invest millions into making hemp happen- why not? They support the meat, dairy and wool industries.

Hemp planting time will be anytime from July onwards, although it seems many growers will opt for a late planting in October and November. Whenever it’s planted, let’s hope NZ gets in behind and helps hemp grow.

NORML give Big Ups to Phillida Bunkle for getting us the first hemp trials in her short time in cabinet. We wish you well in your retirement.

Now that hemp has finally been grown in New Zealand, you can help make sure it continues to be grown here. There’s sure to be plenty of locally pressed hemp seed oil and foods available soon, plus exciting new products such as insulation, paper and fibreglass. Buy hemp products and help make the hemp trials a financial and ecological success!

Support our budding hemp industry!
HEMP CONTACTS: NZ Hemp Industries Association: Ph/Fax 04 938 4879 www.nzhia.com
The Hempstore Aotearoa: 60 Queen St Auckland. Ph 09 302 5255 www.hempstore.co.nz
Waihi Bush Organic Farm: 21 RD, Geraldine. 03 692 2842
Hemp Aotearoa Unlimited: email: praveera@hotmail.com
Oil Seed Extractions Ltd: PO Box 65 Ashburton, email: seedoils@ihug.co.nz
Industrial Hemp Trials Licencing Authority: Medsafe, Ministry of Health. PO Box 5013 Wellington. 04 496 2191