Dr Keith Bolton
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Fibre, food and pharmaceuticals –
The potential for a hemp industry in the North Coast
Contrary to its “new crop” status, hemp (Cannabis
sativa) is one of the first plants cultivated by humans. Palynological
and archaeological evidence demonstrates that hemp has been an
important economic crop for at least six millennia, and it has
been cultivated extensively throughout the world for fibre from
the stem, food and oil from the seed, and physiologically active
chemicals from the foliage. It is a low-impact crop, and can be
readily produced without pesticides and herbicides.
Despite its many merits, commercial cultivation of hemp in NSW
is currently prohibited under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking
Act 1985. However, since 1995, trials for the purpose of scientific
research have been allowed to investigate the suitability of fibre
hemp for a “new” Australian industry.
During the previous three years, Dr Keith Bolton, Project Manager
of Centre for EcoTechnology at Southern Cross University, and
Managing Director of EcoTechnology Australia Pty Ltd has been
undertaking research on hemp to investigate the potential to establish
a hemp industry in the North Coast. Trials have demonstrated that
the North Coast has an excellent climate for hemp production.
Due to the success of trials around Australia and increasing public
demand, it is likely that hemp will become an established industry
in the near future.
There exists a valuable window of opportunity to establish a
comprehensive hemp industry in the North Coast to produce the
three major hemp products: fibre, food and pharmaceuticals. Dr
Bolton is calling upon legislators and the local agricultural
industry to establish a lucrative and sustainable hemp industry.
The North Coast hemp industry can produce:
• Fibre. Hemp produces two types of fibres: Bast fibre
and pith fibre. Bast fibre is a long, strong fibre extracted from
the outside of the hemp stem, and is used for textiles. Pith fibre
is extracted from the inside of the hemp stem, and can be used
for many purposes including paper manufacturing.
• Food. Hemp seed contains high quality proteins and oils
that are excellent food. Hemp seed food products are available
in many countries; however current legislation prohibits the sale
of hemp seed food in Australia. This is likely to change in the
near future.
• Pharmaceuticals. Hemp contains physiologically active
chemicals that have long been used for medicinal purposes, and
medical trials are being undertaken in a number of countries.
Hemp pharmaceuticals are being investigated for pain management,
appetite stimulants, glaucoma and epilepsy.
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