Roddick and others see hemp as a way to save the family farm and the rural way of life from the threat posed by the decline of tobacco as a cash crop. Jean Laprise, founder of Kenex, Canada's largest hemp company, also said that Kentucky, because of its history with hemp, should be a leader in a movement back to the crop. In Canada, Laprise said, the government has approved 15 varieties of hemp that farmers can plant using approved seed. Although some special equipment is required, hemp can be produced with the same equipment and facilities used by tobacco growers. The crop is cut, dried for about three weeks and rolled into round bales, much like hay, that are trucked to processing plants.
Most farmers contract with processors who have buyers and markets for processed hemp.
Setting up a processing plant is relatively simple, Laprise said. Developing markets for the processed hemp could be much tougher. A farmer in the audience asked Laprise if there were problems with trespassers stealing leaves off hemp plants at Kenex farms. Thieves quickly learn that hemp is not marijuana, and they leave the hemp alone. 1070 AA Amsterdam, The Netherlands Jack Herer's book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, edited by Chris Conrad, Lynn Osburn and Judy Osburn, provides fascinating reading.