HAPPY PLANET NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Who is Blocking the Legislation to allow Industrial Hempseed Food for human consumption in Australia?

By Kathleen Green

Australia is still the last western country in the world to legalize industrial hemp food for human consumption. For a country that usually follows American trends, it is baffling that Australia has not followed America where hemp food is sold and eaten, but are not allowed to grow hemp. Hemp food is one of the most nutritious and non-allergenic on the planet and recognized by the World Health Organization, and recommend it be fed to malnourished children.

Many plant proteins are labeled “incomplete” proteins resulting from the low amounts of one or more of the nine essential amino acids. Truth be told, the “incomplete” label is somewhat misleading as all plant proteins do contain each of the essential amino acids. But in most cases (eg, grains, legumes), levels of one or more amino acid are insufficient for human needs. However, hemp protein supplies enough of each of the essential amino acids to contribute to the human body’s requirements. In fact, an important aspect of hemp protein is that it is a quality source of the amino acids arginine and histidine, both of which are important for growth during childhood, and of the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine, both of which are needed in the production of vital enzymes. Hemp protein also contains relatively high levels of the branched-chain amino acids that are crucial in the repair and growth of lean body mass.

Almost two-thirds of hemp protein is made up of edestin, a globulin protein found only in hemp seeds. This makes hemp the superior source for this protein in the plant kingdom. Edestin is a type of plant protein that is similar to protein found in the human body, and thus is perfectly suited to aid in meeting the body’s cellular needs such as DNA repair. Since much of hemp’s protein resembles that found in human blood, hemp protein is very easily digested and assimilated. In addition, another one-third of hemp’s protein is albumin, another high quality globulin protein also found in egg whites.

Hemp is recognized by the World Health Organization as having what is considered to be an optimal three-to-one balance of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. It is this ratio that is believed to be ideal in promoting long-term well-being by decreasing the likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes and depression

Importantly, the fat present in hemp is also one of the few food sources of the fatty acid known as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is showing promise in helping the fight against chronic diseases.

So, with all these amazing facts on hemp food recognized by all other western countries of the world, why is Australia refusing to legislate it for human consumption here? Especially after researching the recent Hansard reports when New South Wales legislated for commercial growing of hemp crops. All the politicians in the report were for hemp crops for its many products it can produce and its low impact on the environment.

Are the same companies that originally banned hemp, still blocking the hemp industry now? Are they in the politicians’ ears, asking them to stop the growth of the hemp industry, for fear that it will diminish the profits of their business? Are the politicians still confusing hemp with marijuana? Is it not against civil liberties to deny the general public access to such a nutritious food? Is it not against free world trade to deny Australian hemp food companies the right to sell hemp food when there is public demand for it?

There is no THC in hemp food, we have proven that by testing the hemp food at the Queensland Government forensic laboratory. Poppy seeds come from the opium plant, a narcotic plant, which marijuana is classed as. Thus, should not poppy seeds be banned as well?

Hemp food is not allowed to be imported into Australia, but we are aware of it passing through customs on many occasions and at other times, customs does not allow it through, so inconsistent, that customs seem to be confused as well.

I need only skim over the other benefits of growing hemp to show that in this time of climate change, diminishing water, food and resources, that hemp is a remedy for these problems.

Hemp is an ancient, versatile, eco-friendly, economically viable and efficient carbon sequestering crop grown all over the world. Over thousands of years Hemp has become naturally resistant to most pests and does not require pesticides and does not require herbicides to kill weeds. It can produce everything that trees and cotton produces. Hemp yields 4 times that of trees and twice that of cotton. Hemp takes only 120 days to grow, compared to trees that take 5-20 years to grow.

Hemp can provide everything for human survival - paper, food, textile, building bricks and board, insulation, fiberglass, car panels, plastic, stone, animal bedding and feed, bio-fuel, paint, varnish and beer, plus much more. Hemp is a clean, renewable resource.

So, I continue to seek the answer, who is stopping the legislation of hemp food in Australia?