Perhaps young citizen Cane will become the ambassador for organic standards, inspired by the concept of no contest from the top. Ontario joins Europe Claude Pinsonneault presented his latest figures for world hemp production, which suggest that Ontario is in good company. In 1996, Western Europe grew 32,000 acres of hemp. In 1997 hemp crops increased to over 50,000 acres. France grew 26,000 acres, Holland 18,000 acres, United Kingdom 6,000 acres, Germany 5,000 acres.
Most people show support for hemp farming now, the days of doubt are well finished.
By April, after pressure from the Canadian Senate, Health Canada promised to speed up the review process to allow farmers to begin growing hemp for commercial purposes in the 1998 planting season. The target date for the New and Improved Hemp Regulations is just after Christmas and, yes, there is a Santa Claus. Were we surprised when Santa Claus spoke next, disguised as Government Agronomist Dr Gordon Scheifele. He presented facts and figures showing how the last three years of experimental hemp performed in the field, the nuts and bolts of realistic yields and cost of production. With his crisp white beard and jolly enthusiasm for the weed of wonder, Dr Scheifele brings thirty years of service and deep-dive research into improving corn crops and is clearly excited about what hemp will do for the farm and factory in this part of the world.