whom depend primarily on exports. Cannabis
John Smith (Hemp Technologies International)
medicine is predicted to be worth $NZ70
then presented a fascinating account on the
billion world-wide by 2025, and recreational
use of hemp stems as a building material: As
cannabis three times that amount!
my nephew in the UK has recently completed
an environmentally friendly house from straw,
Following the lunch break, Canadian
the potential to use hemp stems (or hurds)
agronomist, Jeff Kostuik (Hemp Genetics
added an additional dimension to my interest
International) gave an invaluable account of
in this knowledge. Certainly hemp grows far
the Canadian scene from a viewpoint of grain
quicker than pine trees, and is much easier to
production. Take home messages included the
handle and transport.
importance of delaying sowing in the spring
until soil temperatures were satisfactory,
Dave and Anne Jordan of The Hemp Farm
and the fact that hemp should be treated like
in Waikato, have been long-term hemp
any other
growers, and were on a
crop, with
well deserved holiday.
adequate
However they sent a
fertilizer,
message of support to the
weed control
summit, which was read
and irrigation
out by Richard Barge.
(if necessary).
I met Professor Kim
The New
Pickering (Waikato
Zealand
University) over ten
hemp seed
years ago, and was very
production
impressed then with her
scene was
studies using hemp fibre
discussed by
in bio-composites. Her
Jo Townsend
video conference call at
the summit did nothing to
(Midlands
change my views on the
Seed). As
importance of hemp in this
Midlands
area.
seed is based
in Ashburton, most of the information was
The next speaker was supposed to be Phil
about Canterbury growing conditions, and
Warner (Eco Fibre) but his flight from Australia
almost entirely about seed rather than fibre.
was delayed. However, the following day
Apart from studies done by Massey University
he presented a stimulating paper on his
nearly fifteen years ago on several sites on
experience with the production of hemp fibre
the North Island, Jo’s work provides the bulk
world-wide.
of NZ hemp agronomy studies: If the ihemp
My personal experience with his company
industry is to become established on a sound
was some years ago, when I carried four kilos
basis, there will be an urgent need for more
of Eco Fibre’s cannabis seed from Australia to
agronomic research.
New Zealand for trial
Modern technology
work in Ashburton. The
then took over, with a
paranoia which existed
Cannabis medicine is predicted
skype conference call
in New Zealand with
to be worth $NZ70 billion
from Bob Doyle (Hemp
cannabis in those days,
world-wide by 2025, and
International Australia),
was demonstrated when
recreational
cannabis
3
times
with particular
at flowering time, one
that amount!
reference to the type
of these seed varieties
of equipment required
exceeded the 0.35%
for producing hemp for
THC level, and the
fibre, and the difficulties of harvesting a crop
whole crop had to be destroyed under police
with conventional cutting equipment, when
supervision.
the crop comprises such strong fibres.
The official Summit Dinner that evening
7