NETHERLANDS: Marijuana growers gather at annual industry expo featuring Miss Hemp dressed in - hemp!

Record ID: 519806

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: Marijuana growers gather at annual industry expo featuring Miss Hemp dressed in - hemp!
  • Date: 28th January 2006
  • Summary: AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (JANUARY 21, 2006) (REUTERS) CLOSE-UP OF A RASTA MAN ON THE POSTER FOR "INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIFE HEMP FAIR" HUGE BILLBOARD ON WALL OF AMSTERDAM'S TRADE FAIR BUILDING, FOR 'INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIFE HEMP FAIR' ***MUSIC PLAYING OVER FOLLOWING SHOTS*** BALL HANGING FROM CEILING WITH MARIJUANA DRAWING ON IT CHILL-OUT ROOM IN THE TRADE SHOW WITH PEOPLE
  • Embargoed: 12th February 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Netherlands
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Fashion,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TAADQO50XYFT5UZKE7ZN4B0P
  • Story Text: Marijuana growers gathered in the pot-smoking haven of Europe for a trade show that is taking on the trappings of a major industry expo, complete with scantily-clad models, glossy brochures and, of course, samples.
    But models don't offer their smoke samples to smoke, but instead talk about the importance of fertilizers, necessity of artificial humidity and try to explain the intricacies of hydroponics culture such as the iGrow-box Intensive Irrigation System. "What we show here is a complete growth-container, completely mounted and fireproof, there is a fire-extinguisher built inside. We produce this thing to show the government that if they want to produce legally, they want to grow legally marijuana for the coffee shops, then this is the way to do it," Geert Caers of iGrow Systems explained to Reuters.
    Despite such openness about putting the entire cannabis growing industry on display, actually growing and distributing cannabis (marijuana and hashish) remains illegal in the Netherlands, while possession and production for personal use are considered misdemeanours which are not enforced.
    Competition for "Miss Hemp" is performed to educate visitors about possible usage of cannabis plant which, when used for smoking, is usually referred to as Marijuana, but the same plant in its entirety is referred to as Hemp, when it is used for making paper or clothes. All contestants were required to wear only pieces of clothing made of Hemp.
    The International Highlife Hemp Fair's organizer, Andre Beckers, said he was expecting between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors during the weekend, as the famous Hemp Fair is for the first time held in Amsterdam this year, instead of Utrecht, a smaller Dutch city, 40 km to the southeast.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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