U.S. Customs

Roger Corbin, Port Director

63 Bridge St. Suite 103

Madawaska, Maine 04756

Aug. 7, 2003

Dear Mr. Corbin,

I am writing in reference to an incident which occurred at your facility this past weekend and which involved a vehicle owned and operated by our company, Natural Emphasis, Ltd. I understand that our vehicle, a 1971 VW van with Ontario license plates PUREHEMP is now being detained pending the results of the THC testing of roasted and seasoned hemp seeds belonging to the Van’s driver Johannes Chapman.

I am writing you today in an attempt to clarify a situation that has in my estimation gone much further than it ever should have. Although the hemp seeds in question are not a product of our company, I have extensive knowledge of this product and it’s supplier, Hemp Oil Canada, as this company supplies us with the same seed in a dehulled form which we use as an ingredient in one of our products (Fast Fuel, an all natural endurance bar made with whole seeds, nuts and grains, sold widely in Canada and in the U.S.).

For your information and in an attempt to clarify and remedy this situation I have attached copies of various documents relating to the hemp seed in question. Specifically please find a letter from Shaun Crew, president of Hemp Oil Canada, describing the product, its certification by Health Canada, and the rigorous processing and testing in undergoes to insure it meets all Health Canada protocol. Also attached you will find a copy of the THC testing of the specific batch of toasted hemp seed in question by a third party lab licensed by Health Canada clearly showing that THC content of this product is, I quote “none.” Finally I have attached an invoice from the retail vendor of the seed in question.

In addition, I would like to draw your attention to the recent (June 30, 2003) U.S. Court of Appeals ruling invalidating the Drug Enforcement Administration's October 2001 "Interpretive Rule" that would have construed the Controlled Substances Act to ban edible hemp seed, oil and oil and seed products. The hemp seeds in question, being roasted (hence unviable) and salted are clearly a food product and as such are in no way prohibited from entry into the United States.

Obviously this incident has caused our firm as well as the individuals involved a great deal of inconvenience and direct cost, and I hope that this issue can be reasonable dealt with forthwith. If this letter should be addressed to any other individuals, please let me know at your earliest convenience, and if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (416) 535-3497.

Kind Regards,

Dave Marcus

President