'PROHIBITION' AND HOW TO AVOID IT 

In 1920 the United States started the "great experiment" of prohibition. It lasted until 1933. It was "the forbidding by law of the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic liquors for beverage purposes". It was not a great success. Financial gain went mainly to Canada and the West Indies. The long-term benefitters, including movie producers who used prohibition day stories to ring box office cash registers for the last seven decades belong to today's elite.

Now with current government techniques, like taxes (unknown during prohibition), new ways of spelling "prohibition" have come in style. So new ways to avoid "prohibition" are flourishing. Ever on the look out for new technology, social trends and changes, I recently noticed an ad in a local paper, "GROW YOUR OWN TOBACCO". I don't smoke. Never have. But I do admire those who take a new slant in an endeavor to alieviate a problem some fellow humans face, although I don't approve of their addiction.

When prohibition was in full sway in America, liquor distillers outside and INSIDE the U.S. flourished. Those outside had a pretty safe time of it except for transportation and delivery endeavour. Those inside quickly learned to "take to the hills" and "revenuers" also learned to stay out of the Kentucky hills and the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Montana and Oklahoma. Revenue from "White Lightning" gave mountain folk enough income to develop into an isolated sub-culture that exists to this day.

Taxes on tobacco, whether in the leaf form, pipe tobacco or cigarettes, have risen from a minor nuisance 30 years ago to a confiscatory level today. When a single cigarette sells for 25 cents in a convenience store someone, someplace, is going to think of a better idea.

And, that gets us back to the advertisement. "Now you can grow your own tobacco -- in your living room and save big $$$." Here I could play horticulturist, from a simple "Homegrown Tobacco Kit Today". "Amaze your friends", "Pay no tobacco taxes", "Comes with mild Virginia seed stock" and "ORGANIC, CHEMICAL FREE". How could I resist? Besides, the cost was only $20.

The business is growing so fast a new entrepreneur enters the field almost daily. In Calgary, Robert Cantwell offers a home-sprouting kit for $32.10. It contains 150 Canada No. 1 tobacco seeds, complete with their own plastic home, soil-conditioner and seed-starter tray. In Kamloops, Brewland Inc, ran by Iris and Doug Stewart sold 1,500 seedlings this year. Large size $2.90, smaller $2.50. They grow as high as two metres (6.5'). The tobacco, from each plant, when fully grown, more than fills that in a $35 (plus GST) can. Canadian Hydroponics offer a 100 seed pack for just $4.99. Fully grown -- in about 90 days -- that's more than $3,500 worth of tobacco. For best results place the harvested crop in sealed plastic bags, leave in the refrigerator, test periodically for "mellowed" (to your taste) results.

For the gardner who dreams of becoming a professional in this new government-created job program you can get into it for just $600. That buys you the basic hydroponics setup, complete with nutrients and trays for only $600.

Whenever governments prohibit something, look not at that as a restriction, but as a new golden field of opportunity to provide an alternative to what previously was legal, affordable and acceptable.

Remember, when you grow them in your living room they may help filter the smoke in the air!

More information: "Homegrown", #203-1857 West 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1M4 (No phone or fax provided).

Iris Stewart, Brewland Inc., Kamloops, BC. Phone: 1 (604) 372-1332.

Canadian Hydroponics, 8318 - 120th St., Surrey, BC Phone: 1 (604) 591-8820.

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