On Oct. 9, 2001, the Drug Enforcement Agency outlawed hemp food products. On Feb. 6, all food products containing tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) will become illegal to sell, manufacture or possess.

To protest the DEA’s ruling, on Feb. 5 Students for Sensible Drug Policies will be handing out free samples of foods made from hemp in Davies Center. Literature on hemp foods will also be available for students.

“This is ridiculous,” said junior and Students for Sensible Drug Policies member Randy Lusk. “The amount of THC in foods made from cannabis is less than one percent. Marijuana contains 30 to 40 percent.”

Lusk likened hemp to soy in its wide variety of uses in food manufacturing. “You can use hemp oil to make so many things; it is really useful.”

Hemp and marijuana are separate parts of the cannabis plant, with the highest concentration of THC being in the marijuana; however, THC is found throughout the rest of the plant, according to a report from the DEA. The report also stated that hemp could not be produced without producing marijuana.

THC is a controlled substance, and small amounts of THC can be found in all hemp products. Federal law prohibits human consumption or possession of any controlled substances, including hemp food products. Therefore, all hemp products that cause THC to enter the body have been banned.

Other hemp products such as toiletry items, cosmetics, clothing and non-human foods such as birdseed will remain legal.

“They are just scared of having any THC whatsoever entering people’s bodies,” Lusk said. “Even though the amount of THC in the food products is next to nothing, there’s still a huge fear.”

From the Oct. 9, 2001 decision to ban all hemp food products, producers and distributors have 120 days to dispose of or remove all hemp products from the United States.

The DEA suggested in their Oct. 9, 2001 report that consumers check the ingredients on food products that may have hemp in them. If hemp is one of the ingredients listed, then the food or beverage is illegal.

If anyone is in possession of any hemp food products after the Feb. 6 deadline, they are breaking the law and can be punished.

Students for Sensible Drug Policies will also be sponsoring activities during Say Know to Drugs Week beginning Feb. 18., and Hempfest at the Rod and Gun Club Park on April 20.