Pubdate: Fri,  8 Mar 2002
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2002 Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

APPEALS COURT BLOCKS DEA HEMP LAW

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a Drug 
Enforcement Administration rule that bans food made with hemp, a plant 
related to marijuana.

The agency declared in October that food products containing even trace 
amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC - the psychoactive chemical found in 
marijuana and sometimes in hemp - were banned under the Controlled 
Substances Act.

The DEA halted production and distribution of all goods containing THC and 
intended for human consumption. The products were to be destroyed or 
removed from the United States by March 18.

But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said late Thursday the government 
could not enforce the rule until the court decides on challenges to it. The 
appeals court is set to hear arguments on the case April 8.

Hemp is used in many food products including energy bars, waffles, tortilla 
chips, milk-free cheese, veggie burgers, salad oil and bread. Hemp fibers 
are used in paper, clothing and other products, and hemp oil is found in 
body-care products such as soap and cosmetics.
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MAP posted-by: Beth