This is probably my last post this year. I am preparing for change next year. In Australia I see this will happen in Hemp Foods. I feel partly responsible to make this happen. So, here is a press release I will launch next year. Look forward to your comments:

Australian Cowards Jeopardise Healthy Hemp Food Jobs

The Federal Ministers, Health Ministers and Drug Ministers of Australia have their second review of the second application to allow hemp foods in Australia very soon and there is a way you may now be heard.

The hemp industry estimated over ½ billion dollars in global sales in 2010. The hemp food industry is purported to be worth over $100million in North America alone. #1

Australia has some recent legislation to support the growing of industrial hemp for uses such as building, bioplastics and textiles. Hemp foods are not part of existing legislation. Hemp foods are legal in every other country. In the USA hemp milk is consumed instead of GM Soya Milk. In the UK a lunch may contain hemp pasta with hemp pesto sauce. In mainland Europe a child's school snack may contain a hemp seed snack bar.

Hemp Foods are currently listed in Standard 1.4.4 of the Food Standards Code as prohibited in use as a food. #2

In 2001 ANZFA considered hemp foods #3 and decided that hempseeds are rich in the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are required for vital functions within the body, including the immune response, lipid hydrolysis, blood clotting, vascular dilation and cardiac function

Despite the Government's own independent food authority (today it is called Food Standards) and individual Ministers vote – John Howard directed the then Ministers to vote NO to hemp. Why? There are many theories, a couple of my favourites include: Big business does not want to see hemp legalised unless it really has to be. There is a big dairy and meat industry in Australia and hemp seed protein and essential fatty acids are a great threat to their livelihood. This is feasible as why was hemp made illegal in the first place? It has never killed anyone, yet 1 in 8 Australians drink risky/ high risk amounts of alcohol #4. The estimated cost of alcohol misuse ten years ago was $7.6billion. The only costs noted in cannabis problems, are those spent in policing it in what has become the modern day prohibition problem – the more you prohibit a substance, the more it will be used and misused.

Other countries such as North America are decriminalising cannabis to allow medical use of the plant. This is not legalisation – Doctors are needed to prescribe the herb for it's known benefits (relief of headaches, cancer and other pain, MS and a lot more). This way, the State Government's get to tax consumption and many millions of dollars go to supporting local needs in the community.

But today, the question to legalise hemp foods has nothing to do with this drug form of cannabis. Hemp foods have been shown to contain no drug ingredient in the decades of use in the UK, Europe and North America. Instead hemp foods have been shown to improve energy levels, make skin soft, help weight loss, improve symptoms of ADD, assist with premenstrual mood changes, curb cravings for sugar and junk food fats and assist in brain development and adult brain function. #5

So will we also see healthy hemp seed snack bars, cookies, milk, pasta, bread and more in 2011? The Australian Hemp Foundation #6 sure hopes so. This national industry body is supporting the state bodies to market the potential products. "Currently all State bodies that represent the hemp industry are focussing on growing hemp for fibre and seed. Our goal is to support the marketing of these raw materials into finished products that benefit the consumer." States representative Paul Benhaim.

Paul is owner of Hemp Foods Australia Pty Ltd #7, a Company that has been working in conjunction with Australian food producers and retail outlets since 2000. If you are interested in learning more about hemp foods and signing a petition to allow Australian's to take part in one of the few growing industries, creating local jobs for a local market then you can do so at http://hempfoods.com.au/Hemp_Foods_Australia/Petition.html

Editor please note:
High Resolution Graphics available of hemp foods, hemp seeds and hemp crops – on request to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

References:
#1 http://www.thehia.org/PR/2010-05-03-hia-Hemp_Food_Growth.html
#2 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Standard_1_4_4_Prohib_plants_v113.pdf
#3 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/scienceandeducation/factsheets/factsheets2001/industrialhempasafoo1302.cfm
#4 http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/4832.0.55.001
#5 http://www.hemp.co.uk/shop/manufacturer/hemp-books/modern-introduction-to-hemp-food-to-fibre-to-fuel-new-ebook.html
#6 http://www.australianhemp.org
#7 http://www.hempfoods.com.au