It has omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, contains 33 percent protein, is a good source of vitamin E and is low in saturated fat. It's an environmentally friendly crop that grows fast and requires few pesticides.

While it is legal to import, sell, purchase and consume industrial hemp in the U.S., it is illegal to grow it without a permit from the Drug Enforcement Administration, and it is virtually impossible to get such a permit. The policy stems from the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, when all varieties of cannabis were put into the category of schedule1 drugs, alongside the likes of heroin.

A primary concern among those opposed to the legalization of hemp farming is that it could facilitate marijuana production. Industrial hemp and marijuana plants look very similar, so it's possible to obscure marijuana plants in a hemp field

Hobart naturopath Liila Hass said hemp foods could help improve brain health, hormonal balance and reduce the risk of heart problems.

"They're full of protein and carry the important omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids," she said.

"It's hard to get omega 9 in foods. Hemp is one of the few foods that actually have omega 9. They've also got eight amino acids and loads of vitamins, minerals, fibre and carbohydrates."

Ms Hass said hemp products would initially battle a hippie connotation, but predicted they would eventually be sold in mainstream supermarkets.

Hemp products including snack bars, pasta, bread, pesto, sauces, salad dressings and chocolate are widely available in New Zealand, Canada and the US, despite the fact it's illegal to grow hemp in America.

The food standards authority is seeking public comment for the application to allow the sale of hemp food products.

It is time to cut away the stigma that has been placed on hemp for many years. Look at the role industrial hemp has played in the history and development of mankind to see how much it has to offer. Please take some time to educate yourself with the facts of the situation, start a dialog, ask questions and help others to learn about this valuable renewable resource.

Hempstead : Project Heart
Hemp Energies Alternative Resource Technologies
hempsteadprojectheart.com

Comedian, musician and artist, the controversial Thomas Chong of Cheech and Chong fame sat down with Patch at his home in Pacific Palisades for an exclusive interview.

Pot has been illegal my entire life. It became illegal in 1938, the year I was born. It was made illegal for commerce sake . . . they demonized it using racial stereotypes . . . The overriding fact of why it was made illegal was because of the industrial use of hemp. It competed too strongly with the petroleum, paper and plastic industries.

Hemp was such a superior product to everything else on the market and still is. The oil companies and especially the paper companies, such as those owned by William Randolph Hearst, demonized it to create a monopoly over paper. Hearst owned tracks of forest for his papers and in order for him to capitalize on the forests, getting hemp out of the way would give him a monopoly . . . the (corporations) are the ones that demonized hemp into the laws we have today. It’s a racist law and America is basically a racist country.

Patch: What is the role of pharmaceutical companies in regards to the holistic medicinal use of cannabis?

There are a handful of drug pushers out there and they’re paying off doctors, paying off politicians, paying off everyone to keep the sickness.