Centuries
of Safe Consumption of Hemp Foods
The following is a letter from Hawaiian State
Representative Cynthia Thielen to Eric R. Driscoll,
M.Sc., Scientific Evaluator, Nutrition Evaluation
Division, Food Directorate, Health Protection
Branch, Health Canada
Dear Mr. Driscoll:
I understand you are considering declaring hemp-based
food to be a "novel food" under the
Canadian Novel Food Regulations. In light of the
centuries of safe consumption of hemp seed and
hemp-derived food, I am puzzled by your proposed
action. Before taking this step, I assume you
will review the literature relating to hemp's
safe use and not precipitously harm this Canadian
industry.
You may not be aware that hemp was an essential
crop for the Mormons when they migrated by covered
wagons to the territory of Utah. Each settler
was directed by Mormon leaders to grow hemp for
food and product purposes. While you may not be
a supporter of the Mormon faith, I am sure you
will have to agree the Mormons were a hardy lot
— obviously decades of hemp consumption
did them no harm. I direct you to the church's
literature in Salt Lake City, Utah.
You also may not be aware that hemp seed is an
ingredient in many Japanese food staples. For
decades, "Shichimi Togarashi" has included
roasted hemp seed. This is a seasoning found on
many tables in Hawaii and widely used in the Orient.
The product is produced by House Foods Corporation,
6-3 Kioi-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8560, Japan.
The Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill authorizing
industrial hemp to be planted. We expect to put
seeds in the ground this year. We are looking
at hemp-based foods and seed production to revive
our economy. I am concerned that your mis-designation
of hemp as a "novel food" could also
harm our efforts.
Please keep me informed of your actions.
Sincerely,
Representative Cynthia Thielen
Assistant Minority Floor Leader
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