For the past several years , Tweet and her dad have worked with Federal and State regulatory agencies , along with a multitude of universities , to provide research into using the high Omega fatty acid hemp seed to feed a variety of livestock . Here is where hemp intersects with medical cannabis . It seems we have the farmers ’ own big farma to contend with if we want companion animals such as horses , donkeys , mules , and food source animals to gain access to the healthier world of hemp and cannabinoids . Once again , we are dealing with Moffit ’ s Ants . That big chain of ants that have , up to now , rather poorly but efficiently kept our depleted food supplies going with the inferior products of corn , soy , and canola . ture will do . These giants do not give up power ; it must be the rug we pull out from under their feet , the paths we make around them , and the grassroots of the grassroots that will succeed in creating an American Hemp Market . Tweet suggests starting with State Legislatures .
So far , in today ’ s evolved hemp industry , things are looking exceptionally promising , especially in seed feed . Farmers and researchers like Tweet and Nelson are turning to universities that are turning to investors to fund a list of studies longer than my arm . Across the board , every study about hemp-fed animals has had one consistent report ; the critters are calmer and “ happier .”
To clarify , happiness of the herd was not what I was looking for , although that would be a given . Aren ’ t we all happier with satisfied , well-nourished endocannabinoid systems ? I was looking for a way to get those endocannabinoids into our non-CBD-using populations by ingesting livestock — cows , pigs , and chickens , etc . Alas , I assumed wrong , which is okay . The huge health benefits to our kids eating food with a higher nutritional content and no GMO products is eliminating the need for antibiotics and hormones . When we quit drugging our food , we quit drugging ourselves and our children . CBD does not transfer into our steaks , but the beautiful marbling of the omega fats does , improving the taste and tenderness . On a positive note , this will make getting seed approved for food chain animals easier without testing for CBD or THC .
So why the delay , with literally dozens of universities across the U . S . researching feed for everything from rabbits to horses , and with zero ( as we could have told them ) risk to the livestock ? The story returns to the same battles we fight on the medical side of cannabis , big farma ( corporate farming ) has its own big pharma , and it is called the Association of American Feed Control Officials ( AAFCO ). These guys are the ants , the fluster-clucks of regulatory organizations , that all seem to be in line with one another , with Round-Up clogging their sinuses too much to smell the lovely terpenes of the cannabis plant . Without the AAFCO stamp of approval on a bag of grain , it won ’ t be sold on the open market .
I read a study in a nutritional magazine two years ago about how the soil depletion from no longer recycling wasted food back into compost has diminished the overall nutrition of carrots and potatoes by 40 percent . We are what we eat , and hemp-fed food will not just make us healthier . In the long run , hemp will regenerate the soil , allowing that nutritional content back into carrots and potatoes without all the dietary depletion , pesticides , herbicides , and diluted foods we are getting now .
The Federal Government did start taking comments on hemp feed in the animal industry . Last year in response , a “ white letter ” was written to the FDA with the usual “ more research needed ” response from AAFCO . I looked for actual live people behind this letter , including the author , but was unsuccessful . I guess since the government declared a “ corporation ” as “ the people ” a few years ago , a corporation ’ s signa-
Farmers say the same thing , buy all things hemp , eat all things hemp , and support all things hemp . Hemp may be more expensive now , but the more we buy , the more affordable hemp products become .
Please be sure to attend the 1st Annual Native Prairie Hemp Fest on November 5 ( see page 43 ) and meet the folks making hemp happen . There will be a full day of amazing educational speakers on fiber , plastic , medical , seeds , genetics , and so much more , including , I ’ m sure , what will be a moving opening ceremony by a contingency of local Veterans . Join the fun , food , and music of the Amarugia Highlanders and Pleasant Trees . Hope to see you all there .
To rent a vendor booth or learn more about the speaker schedule , visit https :// nativeprairiehempfest . com .
Cannabis in U . S Agriculture . See a Farm Journey special report at ( Scan QR ).
Kansas State University Study Finds Feeding Cattle Hemp May Reduce Stress , Inflammation . A recent study conducted by researchers within the Kansas State University ( KSU ) College of Veterinary Medicine found that feeding industrial hemp with high cannabidiolic acid ( CBDA ) content to Holstein steers , a breed of dairy cattle , may reduce stress and inflammation . Reported Cannabis Business Times . ( Scan QR ).
Dolores Montgomery Halbin , RN , BSN , and Ordained Nurse Minister , resides in SW Missouri . After her husband passed in 2015 , she retired from nursing . She worked with the 2014-2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana . She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism . Dolores Halbin ,
doloreshalbin @ gmail . com .