Subject: Canada: Hemp Approved To Cross Border



Pubdate: Thu, 11 Nov 1999



Source: London Free Press (CN ON)





HEMP APPROVED TO CROSS BORDER



After a lengthy battle, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and

U.S. Customs will allow a shipment of sterilized hemp seeds across the

border.



But Jean Laprise of Canadian-based hemp production and processing firm

Kenex Ltd. said yesterday the American government had yet to fully

release the 18,000-kilogram shipment. In August, U.S. officials seized

the seeds in Detroit because they contain minute traces of THC, the

active ingredient in marijuana.



"We now have a guarantee from the DEA and U.S. Customs that they will

not seize any future shipments of hemp products from our company,"

Laprise said."It's a big win for the Canadian hemp industry." He said

his firm is considering suing the U.S. government.