Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2004
Source: Union, The (CA)
Copyright: 2004 Nevada County Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.theunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/957
Authors: David Mirhadi and the Associated Press
Decision: http://www.votehemp.com/PDF/HIAvDEA_9th_final_decision.pdf
Cited: Hemp Industries Association http://www.votehemp.com 
http://www.testpledge.com http://www.hempindustries.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/hemp+food

HEMP FOODS GET COURT OK

Area Merchants Say Products Are Popular, Healthy

Rejecting one front of the government's drug war, a federal appeals
court ruled Friday the United States cannot ban the sale of food made
with natural hemp that contains only trace amounts of the psychoactive
chemical in marijuana.

The decision overturns the Drug Enforcement Administration's ban on
the domestic sale of hemp food products.

In Nevada County, where edible or drinkable items made with hemp can
be found at numerous natural food stores, the reaction to the decision
by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was met with both
indifference and commendation.

Linda Christopherson, a buyer for Natural Valley Health Foods in the
Glenbrook Basin, said the perception that foods with hemp cause health
problems is absurd.

"I've heard about this and read about it for years," she said. "People
who believe (eating hemp is harmful) are reacting on presupposed
ideas. They're just not informed."

Natural Valley Health Foods sells hemp-seed butter, lip balm with hemp
and hemp oil. When used as an edible substance, she said, hemp
contains healthful omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the risk of
heart disease and promote a healthy cardiovascular system.

Gabriel Herrera, a clerk at the Mother Trucker's store on the San Juan
Ridge, said the store sells cheese, protein powder, granola and
chocolate - all with hemp seeds.

The hemp oil, especially, serves as a good alternative to soy-based
products, he said.

"There's certainly a demand for it here," he said.

Natural Selection Food and Wine Warehouse in Grass Valley is another
store that sells a wide variety of products made with hemp, including
waffles and vegan cookies made by local merchant Bill DeGroot.

"You don't get high from eating these cookies," clerk Ian Lawrence
said. "That's not why people buy this stuff.

"It's not harmful," he added. "I have a hard time even tasting the
(hemp) sometimes."

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had suspended the prohibition so
judges could hear a challenge from the hemp industry, which has been
allowed to sell its products while awaiting the court's decision.

On Friday, the court said that though the DEA has regulatory authority
over marijuana and synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC,
the agency did not follow the law in asserting authority over hemp
food products, as well.

The Hemp Industries Association, which represents more than 200
companies, had challenged the legality of the ban and applauded
Friday's decision.

The DEA was reviewing the decision Friday and would not comment,
spokesman Bill Grant said.

Hemp is a plant related to marijuana. Fiber from it has long been used
for paper, clothing, rope and other product 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake