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Eating products derived from hemp is now a criminal offence in the US, even
if they only contain traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive
component of cannabis. But cosmetics containing hemp are still legal according
to rules announced last week by the US Drug Enforcement Agency. The new rules
are aimed at clarifying the law, which allows the use of stalks and sterilised
seeds but bans the possession and consumption of THC. This means that hemp
cannot be used to make food and other products that enter the body, but can be
used for textiles, soap and body lotion. The ban threatens the $25
million American hemp industry, which is campaigning to have the ruling
lifted.