Hemp is an underrated, over looked treasure chest of resources. The jewel in that chest that I'm going to discuss here is Hemp Seed/Hemp Oil. The special thing about this oil is the fact that it has a 3:1 ratio of omega 6 : omega 3 fatty acids + omega 9. This is the perfect ratio in terms of requirements by the human body. Hemp also contains all of the necessary amino acids. Essentially taking hemp oil as a supplement can successfully replace any other incomplete fatty acid supplement that you might already be taking. Hemp is sometimes referred to as a superfood because there is no other plant, let alone any man made concoction that has all of these essentials in a readily absorbable form. It promotes a healthy immune system, some suggest that eating hemp seed products could even heal people who suffer from immune deficiency diseases, including cancer by riding the body of carcinogens.
Don't worry you won't get "high", there are no significant levels of THC in hemp oil or most hemp products as a standard of production. Although there is some concern as to whether the oil consumption will produce a positive urine test. If there is some concern about this with your job, I would consider talking to your employer about this and showing them data about the levels that show up in urine from hemp seed consumption, so there is no confusion between drug use and your healthy diet. It is not illegal to use hemp products such as hemp oil which to do not produce a psychoactive reaction, and thus it probably isn't legal to be fired for eating hemp oil. Just be responsible and proactive if you think it might cause an issue.
The taste of hemp oil can be described as a nutty flavor. Its very mild and can be used to make salad dressings, special sauces or a replacement for olive oil in an oil and vinegar mix for sandwiches or bread dipping. It should not be used for cooking as, of course, the high temperatures will break down the abundant nutrients, which would really defeat the purpose, wouldn't it? If you are looking for a healthy alternative to cooking oils you should view my page on coconut oil. Hemp oil is also great for cosmetic uses, like skin and hair care. In terms of skin care hemp oil has been used as a skin healer. Just as the nutrients in hemp seeds are extremely beneficial to the body when taken internally, the skin and hair can also absorb these nutrients and benefit from the topical application of hemp oil. I also add a teaspoon or so to my 1 year old daughter's food puree's or cereal as it aid in children's concentration and behavior & is safe for even babies. Remember all the fatty acid's every kept telling you to take while pregnant? Well, now you can ensure that both you and your children continue to get all the Omega acids, etc that they need by adding hemp seed oil to your diets.
From an Anthropological perspective I suspect that the nutritive value of hemp is the reason for cannaboid plants being deemed historically and religiously sacred. Such religions like that of the Rastafarian, consider the use of ganja a religious sacrament. My personal thoughts on this though, is that hemp, not directly marijuana but possibly by association, was sacred for its ability to provide a perfectly balanced source of nourishment for the human body as well as its many other uses. But not because you could extract the THC and achieve an altered state. That could very well be part of it, since many cultures use what we consider to be drugs, to achieved altered states for meditative purposes. United States law aside, I don't think using THC to get high is a good use of any cannaboid plant, although I draw no judgement if that is an aspect of your spiritual quest. I do, though, have a personal aversion to smoking of any kind. For instance most people who smoke marijuana are not particularly concerned with the health benefits of that plant or of hemp for that matter. Further most marijuana smokers consider the seed of the marijuana plant to be useless unless they plan to use it for growing more smokeable marijuana. This is clearly a disregard for the health benefits of the marijuana plant and an emphasis placed only on the psychoactive value of THC that is in too low a concentration in seeds of hemp or marijuana, to serve their purposes. For those who claim to want legalization of marijuana for medicinal use typically imagine these users still smoking the plant and getting high. There are other healthier ways to consume marijuana if in fact it is being use medicinally or for health benefit. There are also ways to benefit medicinally without getting high from the THC. The distinction between hemp and marijuana as well as the use of marijuana for health reasons needs to be clearly stated, as it is likely that this confusion is what lead to so much historical & modern political emphasis being placed on marijuana while hemp, a truly useful plant as well as medicinal uses for marijuana, have been ignored and misunderstood.
From a political & I suppose a pro-conspiracy theory stand point, it makes sense that a plant group so healthy and useful would be deemed illegal in the United States. If the best interest of American citizens was at the forefront of these laws, I would think they'd simply regulate the use of the THC in these plants as a means of getting high. Possession alone would not guarantee a person criminal charges as you could be using it for the 100's of other healthy and environmentally sound reasons that are possible. But this is America after all...Until further notice, please feel free to benefit at will from nutritious & delicious, hemp seed oil.
Further reading:
Hemp Seed: The Most Nutritionally Complete Food Source in The World Part One, Green Hemp Milk Shake Video, Hemp Seed Oil: A Source of Valuable Essential Fatty Acids, Hemp & Marijuana Myths & Realities, Hemp Vs. Marijuana: What's The Difference?, Hemp Seeds - FAQ,