On October 9, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published rules regarding industrial hemp products in the Federal Register, effective immediately. Without any compelling reason or the required public notice and comment period, the DEA issued an interpretive rule banning hemp seed and oil food products that contain any amount of trace residual THC, potentially subjecting businesses and consumers to federal criminal penalties. DEA also issued an interim rule exempting hemp bodycare and fiber products from DEA control.
Hemp seed is one of nature’s best sources of all essential amino acids in an easily digestible form. Hemp oil offers high concentrations of balanced essential fatty acids (EFA’s). The seed and oil are used in a wide range of natural food products, such as corn chips, nutrition bars, nondairy milks, breads and cereals.
Hemp is grown in 29 countries including Canada, England, France, Germany and Spain. Each of these countries has adopted regulatory models that allow for safe human consumption of hemp products. Legislation relating to hemp has been passed in 16 states. This past year, the National Conference of State Legislatures adopted a resolution calling for changes to federal laws to allow for domestic hemp cultivation.
The DEA states in 01-25024-filed: Comments must be received by DEA on or before December 10, 2001. If DEA determines based on any comments received that a modification of this interim rule is
warranted, such modification will be specified in the final rule. A grace period is being provided for
persons to dispose of existing inventories of hemp’products that are not exempted from control under this interim rule. Any person who, as of October 9, 2001, possesses a THC-containing hemp product not exempted from control under this interim rule has until February 6, 2002 to dispose of such product.”
Hemp Industries Association: http://www.thehia.org
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