Quick Facts: Hemp and Hemp Seeds

Aerial top view of a beautiful marijuana CBD hemp field | Image Credit: © MexChriss - adobe.stock.com

1. Plant-based power: hemp seeds are high in protein and other nutrients

Hemp seeds are small but mighty. As noted by our sister publication, Nutritional Outlook, “coming from the Cannabis sativa plant, hemp seeds contain very little amounts of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but are high in protein, are a good source of Vitamin E and several minerals, and contain linoleic acid (omega-6), alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).” The seeds can be eaten raw, or they can be cooked and even roasted. Evidence suggests hemp seed oil had been used as medicine in China over 3,000 years ago.

References

Plant-based power: hemp seeds are high in protein and other nutrients, https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/plant-based-power-hemp-seeds-are-high-in-protein-and-other-nutrients (accessed Aug 7, 2024).

Bjarnadottir, A., 6 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds. Healthline. March 31, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-health-benefits-of-hemp-seeds (accessed Aug 7, 2024).

2. George Washington grew industrial hemp plants at Mount Vernon, Virginia

Hemp fibers are useful for making rope, sail canvas, thread, clothing, and more. Accounts and letters written by Washington in the 1700s reveal his involvement in the cultivation of hemp at Mount Vernon. Along with other crops, hemp was grown at all five of his farms, which were located near the Potomac River. In particular, it was used for repairing the fisheries’ seine nets.

Reference

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Did Washington Grow Hemp? https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/farming/washingtons-crops/george-washington-grew-hemp (accessed Aug 7, 2024).

3. Currently, only hemp products can be certified as organic

As explained in the May publication of our monthly blog, Stuck on Compliance: The National Organic Program (NOP) is a public/private partnership within the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS). The NOP requires all companies importing organic products to also have an Organic Certification in order to be able to label these items as organic and sell them in the US. Currently, the certification is available only to hemp cultivators, processors, and product manufacturers. Because the certification is a federal designation, it is not yet available to the cannabis industry.

Reference

Stuck, K., Organic Certification for the Hemp Industry https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/organic-certification-for-the-hemp-industry (accessed Aug 7, 2024).