This Week | Thursday, February 24,2022 durhamregion.com | 36 It's not easy being one of Durham's go-to spots for hemp. Ever since The Hemp Spot launched in 2018, owner Jacob Moore says he has faced an uphill battle to educate people about what hemp is -- and especially what hemp isn't. "It's not the same thing as marijuana," he says. "We work to break down that stereotype and educate people." In Canada, growing industrial hemp was legalized in 1998. Hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but industrial hemp has no more than 0.3 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Hemp fibres can be used to make things like fabric, rope and building products, while hemp seeds are used in food products such as protein powder and hemp milk. Hemp oil, which Moore likens to a "vegan fish oil," is often used in personal care products. Moore's interest in hemp started when he was diagnosed with auto-immune disease and started searching for natural pain relief and healthy ways to eat more protein. He created The Hemp Spot to highlight products from Canadian hemp farmers and small Canadian hemp businesses. Bestsellers include natural pain sticks, bath bombs, shampoo and conditioner, candles and hemp rope dog toys. The Hemp Spot has an online store and is a regular presence at local markets and events in Durham. Moore is aiming to hit 75 events in 2022 -- when he's out in the community, he enjoys chatting about how hemp can help people and the planet. "By supporting us, you are helping save the trees, as trees take years to grow and hemp takes between 90 and 120 days to grow," he says. "Paper, wood, toilet paper, etc., can all be made from hemp and hemp helps eliminate four times more carbon dioxide than trees. Anything trees can do, hemp can do." Moore still encounters barriers -- including being unable to use social media advertising to its full extent, because hemp is considered a drug by some platforms -- and challenges in finding a retail storefront. He has even had parents pull their children away from his booth at community events. But Moore believes people are slowly opening up to learning about hemp and its many uses. "We want everyone to experience hemp for all that it is. To utilize it as a food supplement, to clothe ourselves, to help transportation grow and to help shelter families," he says. Are you opening a new business in Durham? Tell us about it! We also want to know about business anniversaries, store closings, amazing local makers and small biz owners. Send your ideas to reporter Jillian Follert at jfollert@durhamregion.com. DURHAM BIZ OWNER WANTS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HEMP BUSINESS The Hemp Spot is a Durham business that aims to be a one-stop shop for all things made with Canadian hemp, including bath bombs, candles, dog toys, hemp seed oil and personal care products. Owner Jacob Moore says education is a big part of the business because there are many misconceptions about hemp. The Hemp Spot photo THE HEMP SPOT Website: thehempspot.ca Phone: 289-314-4515 Facebook: facebook.com/thehempspot Email: thehempspot@hotmail.com THE HEMP SPOT FOCUSES ON PRODUCTS FROM CANADIAN HEMP FARMERS AND SMALL HEMP BUSINESSES JILLIAN FOLLERT jfoller t@durhamregion.com When Pat Janssen steps onto the ice at 2022 Brier, he can thank the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club for playing a part in his journey. The pandemic has made it challenging to practise, but when Jim Paterson, the ice maker at OGCC, heard that Janssen and his wife Clancy Grandy were looking for ice, he provided the couple with an opportunity to stay sharp for mixed doubles. "We couldn't thank them enough for everything they have done for us throughout the last couple of years," said the former Courtice resident. "The Oshawa Golf and Curling Club has been fantastic to us this year and throughout the pandemic. They opened the doors to us, and even when they closed down, and only as long as we were able to get exceptions, they let us come in and be the only people in the building and practise." The trip from the sheets of ice at Annandale Curling Club has taken the Oshawa-born curler around the country, and next month he steps on the ice as part of Team Canada/Team Bottcher, the defending Brier champs. The Scarborough resident was bumped up from fifth to vice earlier this year, but he won't be a stranger to the national championship after being a spare for the Alberta-based team for the previous two Briers. He will be drawing on his experience as an unofficial assistant coach, off-ice co-ordinator and scout for the team as he prepares for the Brier, which runs March 4 to 13 in Lethbridge. The defending champs will start preparations on Feb. 25 and spend four hours a day on the ice with skip Brandon Bottcher, second Brad Thiessen and lead Karrick Martin. "If I haven't thought about the pressure that comes with jumping into this role, I would be lying," he admits. "It's about coping with it and living with that pressure or anxiety of the new role. Being with the guys for the last couple of years, I know what they like to hear, I know how they think, and I have watched them throw hundreds of rocks so that I can help in many ways." It is his third trip to the Brier after winning bronze with John Epping's team in 2018, then the last two events as Bottcher's spare. His childhood friend Tim March, on team Glenn Howard, will be at the Brier after winning the Ontario Tankard. March and Janssen started curling together at Annandale and then as the front end for Team Epping from 2014-18. Down the road, he has set his sights on the Olympic rings in 2026. "At this point, in this moment, with this team, I am really just trying to stay in the moment, and the Brier is the only focus," but it has been bitter-sweet. He and Clancy were lined up for the mixed doubles Olympic Trials and for the Canadian championships when both events were cancelled due to COVID restrictions. "Stuff that you have worked so hard for so long and not getting the opportunity, it really, really hurt, but then to get this little feather in the cap to be able to go with Team Bottcher, it definitely made it easier for me. I kind of have to tone things down a little bit because your wife is sitting there licking her wounds as well." ANNANDALE CURLER LOOKING FORWARD TO BRIER Pat Janssen began his curling career at Annandale Curling Club and looks to help Team Bottcher defend Brier title. RC Media photo BRUCE FROUDE bfroude@durham region.com COMMUNITY