Hemp products have become popular items in food and supplement aisles, but have you ever wondered where hemp comes from? A recent report on the website, New Hope 360, revealed some of the secrets behind hemp production. To start, hemp seeds come from industrial hemp plants. The seeds are shelled and cold-pressed to produce hemp oil; the remaining parts of the seed then become the basis for protein powders. Of course, people also consume the whole shelled hemp seed (or “heart”) as a food. While hemp is related to the marijuana plant, you don’t have to worry—hemp contains less than .3% of THC (an active compound in marijuana); most tests have shown that consuming hemp seeds or oil does not produce psychological effects, and won’t result in a positive drug test. Despite the fact that consumers and manufacturers currently use industrial hemp for a variety of purposes, the US only allows the plant to be grown for research, which is why hemp typically comes from countries like Canada where it is legal to cultivate.

A few reasons why people are using hemp products:

• Hemp protein is vegan and lactose-free, perfect for vegetarians and people with allergies and sensitivities to dairy and eggs.
• Hemp seeds contain oil that is rich in essential fatty acids; just one tablespoon of hemp seeds contains around 20% of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Source: New Hope 360