Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
It started as a dream; the dream was turned into a goal and the goal into action.
That’s how Western Regional Management Ltd. general manager Jammi Kumar describes the industrial hemp project in 100 Mile House.
A small, but dedicated, group of producers has been growing hemp since 2006 but those producers want to ensure they have a market for their product and that is now possible.
Kumar says a group of investors is prepared to offer producers a purchase agreement and invest about $2 million to set up the primary processing facility.
“The critical thing right now is we need to get the production. Producers would like to see a guaranteed market before they go and invest in their land, and investors want to see guaranteed production before they invest, kind of a chicken and egg situation.”
In order to make the plant economical, Kumar says they need approximately 1,200 acres of land in production without irrigation or at least 600 acres with irrigation.
As a token, he adds, they need at least 200 acres this year to convince the investors to mobilize their investment.
The second stage of the project will be value-added hemp-based construction material, starting with insulation.
“The most important part is we have to demonstrate we have the capacity as well as the willingness to produce the crop.”
Kumar sees the plan as eco-friendly, providing employment generation, economic diversification and helping rural communities.
The Canim Lake Band has been involved in the industrial hemp project from the beginning, and Chief Mike Archie says he appreciates the door that’s been opened with this opportunity.
100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall is encouraging anyone with land to get involved.
“This is exciting, it’s one of the best news [items] we’ve had for a long time.”
Industrial hemp producer group chair Dave Zirnhelt says the group has a lot of information on growing and selling the crop and foresees
100 Mile House becoming the knowledge centre for industrial hemp.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett was praised for her work as district mayor in getting the project moving after local resident Jack Witty approached her with the idea.
“We thought you were a little bit crazy at first, but both you [Witty] and Donna had that vision and did an incredible job,” says Campsall.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bclocalnews.com
Author: Joan Silver
Copyright: 2010 Black Press
Contact: 100 Mile House Free Press - 100 Mile House Free Press
Website: 100 Mile House Free Press - Hemp: a chicken-and-egg situation
• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
That’s how Western Regional Management Ltd. general manager Jammi Kumar describes the industrial hemp project in 100 Mile House.
A small, but dedicated, group of producers has been growing hemp since 2006 but those producers want to ensure they have a market for their product and that is now possible.
Kumar says a group of investors is prepared to offer producers a purchase agreement and invest about $2 million to set up the primary processing facility.
“The critical thing right now is we need to get the production. Producers would like to see a guaranteed market before they go and invest in their land, and investors want to see guaranteed production before they invest, kind of a chicken and egg situation.”
In order to make the plant economical, Kumar says they need approximately 1,200 acres of land in production without irrigation or at least 600 acres with irrigation.
As a token, he adds, they need at least 200 acres this year to convince the investors to mobilize their investment.
The second stage of the project will be value-added hemp-based construction material, starting with insulation.
“The most important part is we have to demonstrate we have the capacity as well as the willingness to produce the crop.”
Kumar sees the plan as eco-friendly, providing employment generation, economic diversification and helping rural communities.
The Canim Lake Band has been involved in the industrial hemp project from the beginning, and Chief Mike Archie says he appreciates the door that’s been opened with this opportunity.
100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall is encouraging anyone with land to get involved.
“This is exciting, it’s one of the best news [items] we’ve had for a long time.”
Industrial hemp producer group chair Dave Zirnhelt says the group has a lot of information on growing and selling the crop and foresees
100 Mile House becoming the knowledge centre for industrial hemp.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett was praised for her work as district mayor in getting the project moving after local resident Jack Witty approached her with the idea.
“We thought you were a little bit crazy at first, but both you [Witty] and Donna had that vision and did an incredible job,” says Campsall.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bclocalnews.com
Author: Joan Silver
Copyright: 2010 Black Press
Contact: 100 Mile House Free Press - 100 Mile House Free Press
Website: 100 Mile House Free Press - Hemp: a chicken-and-egg situation
• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
