Hemp Foods Legislation
Industrial hemp is a legal crop and is grown around the world. The history of hemp is varied and long, suffice to say hemp, hempseed and other by-products have withstood a myriad of global changes.
Hempseeds have been eaten for 8000 years in China and there is history of hemp being eaten in India and Europe since history books began.
It was only in 1937 that Mr DuPont and his friends made some excellent media campaigns against ‘cannabis’ being an evil drug. Whether the drug form of cannabis is legal or not is besides the point as the legislation that came from this media campaign made the growing of industrial hemp, after hundreds of generations, illegal. Most countries followed suit.
Most countries legislation is about growing cannabis sativa which is the latin name for hemp. In the last couple of decades renewed interest in sustainable alternatives have allowed hemp to be grown again, under strict government license and conditions. These conditions include growing only varieties that contain negligible amounts of the drug ‘THC’. Nearly all the products of the hemp plant are now legal in most countries, with Australian being the last country in the world to allow hemp as a food. In the USA you may consume hemp foods, but you cannot grow industrial hemp commercially. That is one nice law for their neighbour, Canada who have made big business from this anomaly.
Despite our best efforts – we put an application for legal hemp foods in 2000 when after 4 years, the longest ANZFA (then FSANZ) application for any food was returned to us – with glowing results! The Australian public WOULD benefit from hemp seed and hemp foods.
What progressed from there may only be described as a debacle. It took us many months to learn from a Minister who requested to be kept anonymous that the then Prime Minister, John Howard hand-wrote a note to all Ministers saying ‘Hemp – no way’. Who would go against their boss? Hemp foods were illegal still.
Legal Hemp Foods, Hempseeds and Hemp Oil in Australia Today
YOU CAN STILL HAVE YOUR SAY
CLICK HERE FOR AN AUSTRALIAN HEMP FOODS PETITION
FSANZ have recently announced that public comment for application A1039 – low THC hemp as a food is now open again – whilst they delay their final decision until June 2012. Have a look at that post and see my response to what seems the most out-dated comments from another Government department. Let FSANZ know directly how you feel by writing to them at: submissions@foodstandards.gov.au
Submissions are open from Wednesday, 7 December 2011.This round of consultation will be open until 6pm (Canberra time) 1 February 2012. A final decision is now not expected to June 2012
See Paul Benhaim's response to one Government agency against the use of hemp as a food at thishemp blog post.
Meanwhile de-hulled hemp seed and hemp seed oil is allowed for non-human consumption. You may purchase food quality de-hulled hemp seed, hemp flour and hemp seed oil TODAY. You may also learn all about the nutritional quality of hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp flour used in various hemp foods to get an idea of what is to come with some free hemp seed recipe. Have fun with hemp seeds and remember – do what you know is right – is that not the Australian thing to do?
