>Sender: >To: >X-Original-Message-ID: <12a601bf184b$ad7a4af0$9acf69cf@pacbell.net> >From: "Peter McWilliams" >Subject: International Crisis - The birdbrains snatch the birdseed! >Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 19:59:49 -0700 >X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 >X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 > > >CANADIAN EMBASSY >501 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. >Washington, D.C. 20001 > >October 8, 1999 > >Mr. Donnie Marshall >Acting Administrator >U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency >12060 Lincoln Place-West >700 Army Navy Drive >Arlington, VA 22202 > >Dear Mr. Marshall, > > I am writing in regards to a seizure and forfeiture of a >shipment of hemp seed from Canada on August 9, 1999 in Detroit, >Michigan. This seizure, I understand, was based on a decision by >officials of the Drug Enforcement Agency that the importation of hemp >seed is contrary to the provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. > > The Canadian shipper, Kenex Ltd., is a well-established >agricultural company in Canada engaged in the manufacture of hemp and >hemp products. On August 9th, DEA and U.S. Customs officials seized a >shipment of Kenex's products, however no formal, written notice has >been issued to the company by either agency. > > As Canadian authorities understand current legislative and >regulatory provisions, the sterilized seeds which are incapable of >germination are explicitly exempted from the Controlled Substance >Act's definition of marihuana. Similarly, DEA's own current definition >of the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) is limited to >synthetic forms of THC, not to organically occurring THC such as those >found in Kenex products. > > Kenex's cargo of August 9th, valued at approximately $25,000 has >been forfeited, the company is faced with a number of $500,000, its >officers threatened with U.S. criminal charges and their U.S. >customers have been issued with summons to produce all records of >their commercial transactions with Kenex. Of particular concern is >that all of this has taken place without any formal or written notice >issued to them by either DEA or U.S. Customs officials. > > Canada considers this seizure action to be contrary to U.S. NAFTA >and WTO obligations. I am asking that you review this entire incident >at the earliest opportunity. This company has acted in good faith and >should expect to be afforded due process. Canadian authorities are >requesting that the shipment how sitting in the bonded warehouse in >Detroit be ordered released and redelivery notice should be rescinded. > >Yours sincerely, >Douglas G. Waddel >Minister (Economic) and >Deputy Head of Mission > > >c.c. Raymond Kelly > Commissioner > U.S. Customs Service > > > >================================================================ > >This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------