Hemp, or cannabis, is a plant that is currently legally prohibited in the United States of America. This is because some strains of the plant include delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which, when ingested or smoked, can produce mind altering effects. Refined hemp products, however, can legally be imported to the United States from other countries. Before importing any hemp products, however, be sure that they can be successfully cleared by customs and are within your legal jurisdiction to import.

Hemp, of course, has many uses that have nothing to do with recreational drug use. First of all, hemp fibers are incredibly strong. The fibers can be used to make strong, long-lasting rope, paper, clothing, as well as other fiber-based products. It is important to note that the strain of cannabis that produces THC does not have strong fiber and is not applicable for use in the above-mentioned products.

Extracted hemp oil has uses in both cooking and industry. In fact, hemp oil can be used as a base for beautiful paints. Edible hemp seeds are sold in small quantities in health food stores in North America. They can also be purchased via mail order. In keeping with the above caution, because some forms of hemp are illegal in the United States, make sure that the products that you are ordering are perfectly legal, especially if you are buying them from another state.

Hemp seeds are comparable to sunflower seeds in their nutritional properties. They can be used in baking, added to waffles, and combined with cereal and granola. Some health food companies process hemp seeds in order to create a nutritious protein powder. Hemp seeds also contain Omega-3 fatty acids. While hemp seeds are very nutritious, their dietary values can be replaced by other foods. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example are present in many kinds of fish, especially salmon.

Because of industrial value of hemp fibers, many American horticulturists and farmers are working to overturn the ban on hemp in the United States. At the present, refined hemp fibers must be grown in and imported from other countries. The process of importation, of course, incurs taxes that can be prohibitive to some consumers and manufacturers. Many American farmers, horticulturists, and economists feel that it would make great sense to locally grow hemp in order to decrease the base price of the fiber and, therefore, make it more accessible to American manufacturers.