Look to hemp, Liberal advises farmers

Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada — Letting Ontario tobacco farms go to pot may be the best way to save them, Queen’s Park heard yesterday. Agriculture Minister Steve Peters says industrial hemp could be a viable option for tobacco farmers who are struggling to survive in today’s dwindling smokers’ market.

“It has a great opportunity to be used not only in the paper business, but in fibres, in cloths, in oils, and we know that we can grow hemp in this province,” Peters said.

NDP MPP Peter Kormos said the province should go one step further and allow tobacco farmers to grow medical marijuana and, if legalized, pot for the recreational user.

“The demand has never been greater here,” Kormos said. “Why are we letting biker gangs grow it in grow operations with illegal hydro hookups when we could be letting former tobacco farmers earn a living doing it.”

The Ontario government announced a $50-million fund yesterday for tobacco farmers — with $35 million going to farmers wishing to switch crops.

Aug | Sep | Oct

September 24, 2005
Event thrown for groups hoping to legalize hemp

September 22, 2005
Hemp on the Hill

September 22, 2005
Winnipeg Will Be The Center of The Hemp Business Universe

September, 20, 2005
Hemp Oil Canada Announces $1 Million Dollar Expansion & Relocation

September, 20, 2005
Fibre-processing plant will put Dauphin

September, 20, 2005
Revenue, potential high but so are the costs

September, 20, 2005
Hemp seen as fuel substitute

September, 20, 2005
Support Industrial Hemp

September 16, 2005
Hemp Food Sales Grow 47% Since Last Year’s Federal Court Victory Over DEA

September 12, 2005
New Holiday Gift Wrap and Greeting Card Collection Offers Consumers Sustainable Choices With Style

Syndicate the Global Hemp News