Bellatrix

WA Hemp Hopes go up in Smoke

By CORTLAN BENNETT | News.com.au | October 3, 2004

FOR eight years, businessman Kim Hough lobbied WA governments for approval of an estimated $1 billion-a-year industry that would boost local farming. The only problem was, it was illegal.

Then, on May 19, the Industrial Hemp Act of WA came into effect.

Bellatrix; also known as the The Industrial Hemp Bill of 2003.

It allowed the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp with less than 0.35 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient of cannabis or Marijuana.
It should have been a sweet victory for Mr Hough, who has devoted much of his life to researching and promoting one of nature's most versatile – if misunderstood – plants.

But now his company, Hemp Resources, is the first in WA to be rejected for a licence by the Department of Agriculture.

According to Registrar of Hemp Mark Holland, Hemp Resources' application was rejected on the grounds that two of its directors and an associate had criminal convictions. Most were minor cannabis-related offences.

The Industrial Hemp Act says applicants with serious drug offences cannot be granted a licence. But neither can those who are "not of good character and repute" – the basis for the written rejection.

It was a bitter blow to the businessman, who says he has international investors and hundreds of local farmers queuing up to cash in on the crop.
Hemp is the strongest natural fibre in the world and has thousands of uses, from textiles and cosmetics, to food products, fuel oil and construction.
Hemp Resources' factory in Malaga has been producing such samples for the past year.

The Catch-22 is that those who arguably know most about cultivating hemp in WA are more likely to have done it illegally in the past. Mr Hough admits to having grown small amounts for personal use and research purposes. But he also argues that such minor offences should not stand in the way of a legitimate business venture.

"We're putting together one of the most important agricultural projects in this state's history and we've been crippled," he said."We can take it elsewhere, but it will cost this state millions of dollars in export earnings, revenue and jobs."

Mr Holland said Mr Hough could appeal the decision.

So far, only two licences have been granted – both to Department of Agriculture staff for research purposes. Mr Holland said there had been interest from other private companies but only Hemp Resources had applied for a licence.

In his ruling, Mr Holland stated: "The opportunities for misuse of that licence (by Hemp Resources) are obvious. Its grant would provide a cover for a person seeking to grow and sell cannabis, other than industrial hemp."

Bellatrix; this is so damn stupid. Where is the logic in this statement? It's just as illegal no matter what, so what's stopping them from growing smokable hemp, business lisence or no business lisence? Do the morons at the Ministry of Agriculture think this is going to keep people form growing Marijuana? This compnay is being punished for their publicity, not their product. It's just as likely that the mechanics down the street are growing a cannabis plant!

Mr Hough said: "Hemp and cannabis don't grow together like that. If there are any Marijuana growers in the region, they're not going to like us because we'll be pollinating their plants with very low-THC hemp pollen which will ruin their cannabis crops."

Mr Hough has enlisted Chinese help to establish a paper mill in the South-West and buy a textiles factory in China. The head of the Chinese side, Tian Xin, is founder of the Shenyang Institute of Natural Fibres, a member of the International Hemp Association.

Bellatrix; you can critisize China for human-rights abuses, but it's clear from the last couple of paragraphs that they have certain freedoms that Australians don't. Another reason this article is interesting is that it illustrates another sinister function of prohibition - to permanently cripple the otherwise law-abiding citizen so they can no longer do certain things that are their basic human rights to do, like vote, adopt children, or get a business license.

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Herb Ninja

The ability to acquire a business license is not a right, if it was a right you wouldn't need a license. The reason they (the government) have business licenses is so they can either deny them, make money off them, and/or to regulate our businesses for taxation and other purposes. Also if voting is a basic human right then millions of youth around the world have been denied a basic human right...

This fight against hemp is one part ignorance and at least one part special interests. There were 3 purely hemp based shops on this island at one point, eventually one closed from financial problems, probably a resort of way over-restrictive policies on hemp cultivation. Still 2 hemp shops on this island is pretty impressive, especially the variety of items made from the plant. Peace, HN-

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Alistero

I live in Western Australia, and I have to say, were even lucky we have this Act. Other Aussie states have really harsh law on hemp and cannabis. Probably the only reason we have it is because we have a pot-friendly Premier who has introducted cannabis decriminalization as well.

nikole420

i agree what you're sayin' i ilive in canada and it's okay but it could be better!!