Hemp still has an unnecessarily negative reputation with many people around the US today. But over the past several years, we can see that acceptance for hemp has seemingly broadened, as more states have made the move to get involved in growing this crop.
Hemp is an extremely versatile crop that can be used in thousands of different ways, to produce things like food, textiles, paper, construction materials, and a lot more.
Many believe that hemp will get you high like cannabis is known to, but industrial hemp that's grown in the US won't get you high because it doesn't contain enough THC; the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis.
A lot of the hemp products that are made in the US today have to be made with hemp that gets imported from other countries and it's a market that sees hundreds of millions in sales every year. However, a growing number of states are looking to start experimenting with embracing the hemp market and starting to grow the industrial hemp crop.
Considering that hemp doesn't get you high like cannabis is known to, it's a bit confusing as to why the US government has it criminalized just the same.
Right now, the federal government still classifies all forms of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug and that includes hemp.
There are a variety of efforts that are currently underway throughout the US, that are trying to erode the negative stigma surrounding hemp. Various hemp advocates are seeking to educate consumers on the vast potential that can be reaped if more were to shed their fear of this crop.
One effort in NC comes from the state's first hemp dispensary, Hemp Farmacy, and they are seeking to provide the community with information about hemp, CBD, the history of hemp in the US etc. Another project in New York, run by JD farms, is looking to offer restaurants in the area a variety of hemp greens for their salad and food items. They want to help their community to learn about the potential for utilizing hemp as a valuable food source.
Outside of the US, there are similar efforts that are seeking to help the public to learn about the benefits of hemp as well. In New Zealand, one chef that's looking to battle the hemp confusion there has created a pop-up restaurant experience in order to do it, known as Plant Culture. The pop-up restaurant offers an experience that educates consumers about hemp and the potential health benefits associated with it.
Hemp has been highlighted as a terrific source of protein and omega 3
The Plant Culture hemp experience is looking to teach consumers about how easy it would be to incorporate hemp seeds into many different types of dishes. At the moment, the only hemp-derived food product that is legally sold in NZ, is hemp seed oil. But that might not be the case for long as just this year, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand deemed hemp to be safe for consumption and they've already given their approval for more hemp food products to come to market.
Not only can hemp be used in thousands of different ways to produce a myriad of products, but hemp is also referred to by many as a superfood. Hemp seeds are said to contain more protein than almost any other seed that's out there on the market. The hemp seeds are also said to be high in iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium; and they've got almost zero carbs.
Pics:
Leafly via leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/hemp-101-what-is-hemp-whats-it-used-for-and-why-is-it-illegal
Northwest Cannabis Coalition
Global Hemp via globalhemp.com/about-hemp/hemp-foods/
Herb via herb.co/2017/03/27/hemp-cbd-oil-cannabis-cbd-oil/
The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4787782/Is-hemp-going-new-super-food.html
http://time.com/2946028/seeds-chia-hemp-flax-sesame-pumpkin-nigella/
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-plant-culture-pop-up-restaurant-sunday-20th-august-tickets-36251160196
http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/cannabis-cuisine-has-become-growing-force-in-las-culinary-world-8140321
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