iHemp Magazine iHemp - Issue 1 - Sept 2018 | Page 5

letter from Executive W elcome to the new and improved NZHIA public newsletter/magazine. The New Zealand Hemp Industries Association Inc, have been promoting the iHemp industry since 1997. And the industry has been quietly developing, under the iHemp Regulations 2006. 2018 is the year iHemp finally gains momentum, as we hosted a successful summit in Wellington in July. A sell out event, which captured the interest from farmers/land owners, researchers, innovators and the government. This year the Food Code is being amended to allow iHemp seed foods for human consumption, which will see the seed and grain industry scale up in the coming years. The framework for medicinal use is being established and there is considerable interest in the development of the fiber industry. 80 years of “Reefer Madness” over marijuana cannabis as a recreational drug, has meant minimal work has been done on low THC, industrial hemp cannabis. It will be great to see what kiwi ingenuity will do in the development of products and technology, for local and export markets. An annual crop, great for the environment, creating regional development and a positive impact on the economy, it really does tick all the right boxes!!! Kind regards Richard Barge [email protected] Deputy Chair NZHIA Director of Hemptastic hemptastic.co.nz EDITORS NOTE Marco Fantham Editor [email protected] 021 0675710 Hemp gets PR boost from Govt Hemp is a crop that's often stigmatised because it's a variety of cannabis. But now it's getting a PR boost from the Government. Food Safety Minister Damien O'Connor has spoken about the plant's economic benefits, and an upcoming law change will see hemp seeds approved as a food item. ( Arron Soma - 1 News Reporter) Increased Drug Abuse? ...from hiding a Marijuana Crop within a Hemp Crop? That would never happen and here is why... No grower would plant Marijuana (high THC) within a Hemp Crop (low to no THC) because the Hemp would pollinate the Marijuana - and the Marijuana will go to seed and turn into Hemp. You would actually want to keep the two crops as far apart as you could. 5