From Ancient Times to Modern Controversy,

The Curious Case of Hemp in NZ.

A Cautionary Tale...

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For at least 30,000 years, Hemp has been sacred. in many cultures. From the East to the West, and from the Centre North South.

Yet, despite being a high value fibre, feedstock, food, functional food, and medicine; its also been a largely prohibited resource.

This is the story of how our govt made a perfect food into a pharmaceutical. 

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Two US' founding fathers grew hemp. Both Jefferson and Washington. In NZ, we have Harakeke, the mighty Flax.

 But Hemp still has a place in our history, and heart, with NZs first Saint (to be) Mother Aubert almost certainly a trained practitioner, given her training at the apex of Hemp Medicine with Florence Nightingale. The politics of her knowledge is undisputable. With Te Papa refusing to test her remaining medicines, and DSIR refusing to publish its 1990s research. 

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The story of Hemp, (Type 3 & 4 C.Sativa) in NZ is wild. It strikes to the heart of "who are we"?

As a nation. Who are we? 

What is important to us? What is the difference between public service and corporate purpose? 

Is it values? Outcomes?

 Does it matter? Yes it does. Because when corporations write the laws in a country where you dont really have any rights, and we dont really get any royalties on our resources, and we export all our best unsustainably. Well, we seem suckers, and it explains a lot about health, education, infrastructure, energy, cartels, etc.

 All gone bung in the name of "free markets" (that are private monopolies), and a forgotten public interest.

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 It was legal to grow hemp in NZ from 2006.

But NZ hemp farmers were threatened with the loss of their license if they made products of hemp; despite their legal rights to do so under the regulations.

Furthermore, their registered, licensed, approved, and legal hemp was also "freed of all controls when grown for horticultural purposes", according to apex International Treaty UNSCN 1961. So, legal twice over.

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But licensed hemp farmers still couldnt make hemp oils or foods. Despite being a perfect food for life and health, and legal twice over.

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Because of our Ministry of Health.

Who not only lack KPIs for health, but seem to have a financial conflict of interest at the heart of their regulatory structure; given a reliance on product levies (rather than improved outcomes) for most of their budget. The conceptual implications for public health are concerning. Suggesting more of a farming operation than any other.

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For example, in 2018, "legalising medical cannabis" turned out to be pharmaceuticalising hemp. Meaning it couldnt be a food or a herbal remedy. Qui fucking bono?

 

Few are aware of Hemps health benefits, or why they can be so profound. Which seems odd, in an information age. Might the insane politics and silent health and science sectors illustrate the fundamental corruption of modern life by corporate interests and bad politics?

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You might be familiar with CBD (Cannabidiol), a hemp extract celebrated for its health benefits. From anxiety relief to epilepsy treatment and even potential cancer therapy, CBD can be a minor relief, and a miracle worker. Because it is a promiscous signalling molecule; that tweaks many of our bodies "Goldilocks" buttons.

Go figure, most of what we've been told about Cannabis is a lie, and about Hemp, most of us have no clue that its a food with profound health benefits. In a nation with a collapsing health system, that government insists on underfunding. Based upon lies and misrepresentations, in a time of need. Someone, make it make sense.

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Fraud by NZ Govt?

Despite these proven benefits; or perhaps because of them; both New Zealand (National) and Australian 'health ministers' tried to block CBD as a food, citing the need to "avoid blurring the line between food and therapeutic good" and the need to prevent people self medicating with CBD. 

But, the food regulator (FSANZ) couldn't legally block safe, beneficial, compounds from citizens.

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 Enter MedSafe NZ, which seems to have ignored its own internal advice, taken a perverse view of an international treaty, scientific facts and morality to make CBD a controlled drug through falesly asserting it had a valid legal opinion that everyone else was wrong. Including ESR (the police forensic chemistry team) who strongly objected.

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The argument MedSafe made to achieve this has never been made public. Nor was it ever shown to FSANZ. Instead, their "legal opinion" has been hidden behind "legal privilege" for eight years, initially due to a "lack of public interest", subsequently "legally privileged".

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Hmm, does that smell fishy to you?

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Health Benefits and Misclassification of CBD

The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act in the US, deceptively prohibited hemp, which contains over 500 active ingredients, including more than 200 cannabinoids.

Hemp cannabinoids like CBD offer myriad health benefits, likened to Wi-Fi signals for cellular communication, essential for maintaining health.

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Plants have always been humanity's original medicines, and cannabinoids play a crucial role in maintaining health. Yet, New Zealand's world-class cannabinoid research groups at Otago and Auckland medical schools often downplay their importance. "Science should follow the public debate," they say, yet leave the public in the dark.

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Curiously, the Chief Scientist's review of cannabis before the 'reeferendum' didn't even ask about the public health benefits of legalization, which include reduced death, crime, pain, and suffering.

Might 'capitalism' explain the disconnect between scientists, politicians, public, and Hemp CBD?

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Join the Fight for Transparency and Access

Hemp is a safe, beneficial plant that should be accessible for its health benefits. By demanding transparency and fair regulation, we can advocate for a healthier future. Together, we can challenge the status quo and improve public health with natural remedies. Click the link for full details on the deliberate misclassification of CBD.

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[Complaint to Director General of Health re: the deliberate Misclassification of CBD]

Evidence: OIAs

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A Question of Public Service and Health?

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Plants are our original medicines. Cannabinoids, vital signaling molecules, regulate mood, memory, health, and growth. Despite their importance, New Zealand's elite universities, medical organizations, and regulators often publicly overlook their benefits. 

 Hemp foods, full of natural cannabinoids, could reduce the number of sick people.

 Is that why can't you grow hemp?

Is that why our oldest crop is a prohibited food?

MedSafe/Medicines Control prevented licensed hemp farmers from making legal hemp products, creating a medical cannabis cartel instead. By lifting legal privilege on their advice, we could secure full spectrum hemp foods for health. But you know what they say, "youve got to fight for your rights."

Join us in demanding change. Your children should benefit from hemp’s potential. Let’s improve through education and advocacy. This is just the low hanging fruit. Theres much more we can do.

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Kind regards,​

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Tadhg

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