In Spring 2013, year two of a three–year ‘commercial incubation research trial’ begins for the South African hemp industry.
Hemp is the most versatile plant as its uses range from medicine, body care cosmetics, ‘tree-free’ paper, building materials, nutrition products, clothing and car parts. Hemp is also considered a ‘zero-waste’ crop as every inch of the plant can be used.
The 2008 ‘Eco Elise’ hemp-based car from Lotus Elise, a high performance sports car manufacturing company, was made with the intention of reducing carbon footprints. “The magic ingredient is hemp,” said Lotus engineer Lee Preston. “It’s strong and it is a beautiful material to look at.”
Hemporium is a South African hemp company established in 1996. According to Tony Budden, co-owner of Hemporium, hemp is an ‘enormous untapped industry’ with the potential to ‘address many of the South Africa’s social woes’. “In America, it’s easier to get a permit to grow medicinal marijuana than it is to get a permit to grow industrial hemp. It just shows you that it’s not about the drug-value. It’s about the threat to the cotton, paper and synthetic industries.”
Growing Interest in Hemp
“Hemp has got a spirit of abundance… it should be able to be in the free
market,” says Budden.
By Chanté Petersen
Hemporium, along with House of Hemp, is currently participating in the three-year trial that will determine the commercial viability of the hemp industry. “Hemp has got a spirit of abundance… it should be able to be in the free market,” says Budden.
There are close to 40 countries worldwide that have legalised industrial hemp, including the United Kingdom, France, China and Germany. A permit issued by the South African National Department of Health has allowed the growth of hemp on several government-licensed farms in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Some hoped that another permit would be issued this year for more hemp to be grown. Budden also says that hemp is being taken more seriously but is still ‘lagging’ in the research phase. “We’re not asking for something new. Just give us the opportunity to show what other countries are already doing,” explained Budden on CapeTalk radio station last month.
Since marijuana is illegal here, it seems that hemp’s relation to marijuana is holding the industry back. No distinction has been made between the two although, according to Hemporium’s website, the Department of Agriculture has recognised hemp as an agricultural crop.
“[When] people think hemp, they think weed, drugs, bad.” says Shale Tinkler, marketing assistant at Hemporium. He firmly states that this is not the case: industrial hemp contains ‘only a trace amount’ of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana and is ‘useless’ as a drug. “It will not get anyone high,” he adds.
The government has no shortage of industrial hemp supporters. A sceptical Koos Bredenhand of the African National Congress was seemingly won over after he was shown raw hemp products and came to understand the difference between hemp and marijuana, one of which he declared to be ‘beautiful’.
“The challenge is legalisation,” says Ayabulela Ngoqo, the Eastern Cape’s Rural Development and Agrarian spokesperson. “More than anything, we hoped to get jobs out of it. It was aimed at emerging farmers.”
The hemp plant will thrive in South Africa’s climate, giving the country the opportunity to become a leader in the industry. “We [just] need an enabling environment. We need that political willpower to drive it forward,” says Budden.
The public can have the greatest voice in the development of the hemp industry. “A consumer’s money is their vote,” says Tinkler. He also says the industry will only thrive if the government sees the demand for hemp products: “This may sound like a sales pitch, but buying a locally made hemp t-shirt is a powerful declaration.”
For more information visit: http://www.hemporium.com/
