SEEDS OF DOUBT GROW OVER BODY SHOP GIFT

Seeds campaign: The promotion piece by the Body Shop on cannabis sativa
seeds.

ANTI-NARCOTICS agents are investigating the Body Shop's recent hemp seeds
promotion as a possible violation of the anti-drugs law.

The move was prompted by an inquiry made by the Hong Kong Standard on
whether it was legal to plant cannabis sativa or hemp seeds, which were
distributed by Body Shop.

The world-renowned cosmetics company handed out cannabis sativa seeds to
journalists last month as part of its latest promotion titled Hemp: The
Great Smear Campaign.

The hemp campaign was launched to promote Body Shop's new line of hemp-based
products, which include soap, cleansing oils, and lip conditioner.

Materials sent to reporters stated that the seeds were ``innocent members of
the cannabis family but you won't be the innocent party if you grow them''.

A spokesman for the Narcotics Division said that hemp seed, if viable, was
controlled in Hong Kong.

``It is an offence to possess or supply, and under Section 9 of the
Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, to cultivate cannabis seeds,'' he said.

``It would be breaking the law for anyone to cultivate them in Hong Kong.''

The spokesman said the Narcotics Division was ``looking into the matter''.

Any person who cultivates and deals in cannabis is liable to a fine of
$100,000 and to imprisonment for 15 years.

Last year, 833 people were arrested by the police for possession of
cannabis.

In the first nine months of the year, 791 were arrested for the same
offence.

The court normally hands down fines for possession of cannabis unless the
amount involved exceeds 500 grams.

A total of 1,002 kilograms of cannabis in herbal form were seized by the
police and the Customs and Excise Department last year while 453 kg were
seized during the first half of the year.

The Body Shop could not be reached for comment on Sunday on whether it was
aware that hemp seeds were a controlled drug in Hong Kong.

Seeds distributed to reporters carried a brief background about hemp, which
is a member of the Mulberry family.

The material says it is illegal to grow hemp in Britain without a licence.

The packet also carries a drug warning: ``Do not attempt to use the plant as
a narcotic. You would need to smoke a joint the size of a telegraph pole to
get high.''

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst