FARMERS LINE UP FOR HEMP SEED

Hemp is so popular with Manitoba farmers this year that there is a
waiting list for seed of the once banned plant.

`We ordered all the seed we could,' said Doug Campbell, president of
Canadian Growers and Processors.

`There are 5,000 acres on a waiting list.'

Campbell's company wants to build two processing plants for hemp - one
for fibre and one for seed - in Dauphin, Man.

He said they are in the middle of the engineering design for the plant
and construction should be complete by spring 2001.

This year 8,500 hectacres of hemp have been planted in the province
compared to 690 the year before.

The plant - related to marijuana except for its grossly reduced THC
level (the active ingredient in pot) - is making a comeback.

Canada legalized its industrial growth in March 1998.

The fibre is used for products such as bedding for animals, clothing,
building materials and cardboard. The seeds are processed into oil.