This week, a forum chaired by the Federal Assistant Health Minister, Fiona Nash, still came to the conclusion that there is concern from the police over drug testing and the consumption of hemp seeds. This application process started in the year 2009, which was the year that Shop Naturally started. In that time, we have gone from a handful of cleaning products to a multi-million dollar powerhouse in the health & wellbeing industry, yet our government can't pass a simple piece of legislation that every other country in the world has managed to pass.

WHY?

Hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein powder are used all over the world, safely and legally, as a food substance. Why on earth can we not do it here in Australia?

There are advocates for the legislation of hemp based products on both sides of the political aisle. FSANZ have declared them safe, more than once. Yet again, politicians don't seem to have the capacity to comprehend the basic understanding that the trace amounts of THC found in food based hemp products is different than to the high THC levels found in marijuana.

"Dear politicians, the only people stupid enough to think you can get high from eating hemp seeds is you. The only people stupid enough to think that eating hemp seeds also means that smoking pot is safe is you. If you can't seek advice from health experts around the world, including Food Safety Australia New Zealand, and come to the conclusion that hemp seeds are safe to eat, then you're not capable of making other well informed and important decisions either."

I urge you all to join me in writing to your local member and to the Health Minister Sussan Ley and the Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash to express your disappointment in this decision. Sussan has only had the job since the 23rd December, so hopefully she's not tainted with the old attitude.

Contact Sussan Ley HERE
Contact Fiona Nash HERE