cannabisnews.com: Airmen May Get Burned by Hemp Sun Lotion 





Airmen May Get Burned by Hemp Sun Lotion 
Posted by CN Staff on May 02, 2004 at 22:42:00 PT
By Miguel Navrot, Journal Staff Writer
Source: Albuquerque Journal 
Just say no — to suntan lotion? Cannon Air Force Base is warning airmen about suntan lotions and oils that contain hemp byproducts, including an active chemical found in marijuana.  The April 23 edition of Cannon's newspaper, the Mach Meter, notes that some local tanning salon are selling products containing hemp seed oil, hemp oil or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol— THC— marijuana's main active chemical.
The military prohibits its members from using marijuana and tests them for THC levels.  Although there is a "statistically small" chance of testing positive for THC with such a lotion, that possibility "is simply not worth the risk," the newspaper notes.  A Cannon spokesman said Air Force policy strictly forbids drug abuse. For instance, airmen taking medical prescriptions are required to keep and show proper paperwork.  "The zero-tolerance drug policy is all inclusive," Airman First Class Jared Marquis said Friday.  The article was written after an officer with Cannon's Area Defense Council, the base's version of a civilian public defender office, noticed that tanning businesses in Clovis and Portales sold lotions made of hemp byproducts, Marquis said.  According to the article, Cannon officials don't expect that anyone would orally ingest a lotion, but lotions could be applied over a skin cut or scrape. "There can be a chance of absorption under certain circumstances."  Another risk of using a hemp-based lotion is attracting the attention of the base's drug-sniffing K-9s. That, in turn, could attract unwanted attention from supervisors and base prosecutors, the article states.  "While the lotion was not used with intent to break any laws and is not illegal, the fact that a military working dog alerts on your car or your person creates a perception that nobody wants," the article warns.  The International Smart Tan Network, a tanning salon trade association, says the THC content in tanning products is used to hydrate skin. Manufacturers of hemp seed-based lotions haven't received complaints about positive drug tests, according to the group's Web site.Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: Miguel Navrot, Journal Staff WriterPublished: Monday, May 3, 2004Copyright: 2004 Albuquerque JournalContact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/ CannabisNews -- Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 10, 2004 at 08:38:12 PT
Press Release from U.S. Newswire
Indoor Tanning Association and Hemp Industries Association Seek Clarification from Air Force on Hemp Sun Block PolicyJune 10, 2004WASHINGTON, June 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) representing thousands of businesses has joined with the Hemp Industries Association's (HIA) 200 member companies to seek clarification on the U.S. Air Force policy on sun block and other personal care products that contain hemp seed oil. In a letter sent this week to the Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche, the trade associations ask for clarification on a policy first published April 23rd in Mach Meter: The Online Publication of Cannon Air Force Base that raised unfounded concerns that sun block products made from hemp seed oil could cause false positive drug tests. The story, which was picked up by the Associated Press and has been reported on over 40 local TV stations, misleads Airmen and the general public to think they should not use hemp sun block because it could cause positive drug tests for marijuana. See the joint letter at: http://www.thehia.org/AF_tan_letter.htm"The Air Force's concerns are not based in scientific research and are further discredited since there is no example of any person failing a drug test after using hemp personal care products including, soap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and sun block," says Candi Penn, executive director of HIA. "We want the Air Force to correct the story and issue a clarification that their policy does not ban the use of hemp tanning lotions or other hemp personal care products by Airmen."In the April 2004 issue of Medical Review Officer Update the question of whether hemp seed oil products used on the skin can cause positive drug tests was addressed. According to Dr. Gero Leson who has conducted research on hemp seed oil absorption through skin, one cannot fail a drug test under federal guidelines even after prolonged use of hemp products.In recent years a handful of people have contested they failed their drug test as a result of using hemp products on the skin. Despite these allegations, there has yet to be a case in which someone was excused in court for failing their drug test due to their use of a hemp seed product.U.S. hemp companies voluntarily observe reasonable THC limits similar to those adopted by European nations as well as Canada and Australia. These limits protect consumers with a wide margin of safety from workplace drug-testing interference (see hemp industry standards regarding trace THC at: http://www.testpledge.com "Unfortunately, the Air Force is confusing non-psychoactive industrial hemp varieties of cannabis with psychoactive 'marihuana' varieties," says Penn."Concerns reported in the story that drug sniffing dogs could target a person wearing hemp sun block are totally ridiculous," says Penn. She adds, "Thousands of gallons of hemp seed oil are legally imported into the U.S every year, yet drug sniffing dogs on the border have never confused these raw materials with marijuana. If the dogs on the border leave the unprocessed hemp alone, I cannot believe they will bother someone wearing a few drops of hemp sun block. The Air Force needs to do a better job of reporting the facts about hemp before they do greater damage to legitimate businesses by airing unfounded allegations."For more information or to arrange interviews with representatives of the hemp industry, please call Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671. To: National Desk Contact: Adam Eidinger, 202-744-2671 Copyright: 2004 U.S. Newswire 
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 05, 2004 at 10:59:49 PT
Press Release on Hemp 
Hemp Sun-Screen Story Wrong on Drug Testing; TestPledge Program Assures Consumers Hemp Products Do Not Cause Positive Drug TestsMay 5, 2004CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M., May 5 /U.S. Newswire -- A report first published April 23rd in Mach Meter: The Online Publication of Cannon Air Force Base has spread across the Internet through a poorly researched Associated Press story. It raises unfounded concerns that sun-screens, tanning lotions, and other personal care products made with hemp seed oil could cause false positive drug tests because they contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. These concerns are not based on scientific research and contradict earlier studies on this issue. There are no documented cases of a person failing a drug test after using hemp oil or hemp oil containing personal care products, such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, tanning lotions, and sun-screens on the skin. "Whether you work for the Air Force, police or local transit authority, Americans who are subject to workplace drug-testing will never fail a test because they use a personal care product made with hemp oil," says David Bronner, chair of the Hemp Industries Association's (HIA) Food and Oil Committee and President of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps. "My soaps are made with hemp oil because it contains an extraordinary amount of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids that restore and moisturize the skin, and is an effective natural alternative to chemical-based skin care ingredients," says Bronner. The April 2004 issue of the Medical Review Officer Update, a leading publication serving drug-testing professionals, addressed the question of whether hemp oil used on the skin can cause positive drug tests by referring to a scientific study conducted by Dr. Gero Leson. Dr. Leson determined that even in an unrealistic worst-case scenario, in which a person with highly compromised skin uses pure hemp oil as massage oil and leaves it on for 24 hours, the amount of THC potentially absorbed is insignificant compared to the amount required for producing a positive drug test. Consequently, the publication's editor, Dr. Swotinsky advised that "commercial hemp oil skin products contain minuscule THC concentrations, and use of these products does not create the right conditions for THC-positive urine drug test results."In recent years a handful of people have alleged that they failed workplace drug tests as a result of using hemp oil products on the skin. Such allegations were routinely proven to be false, and there has yet to be a case in which someone was excused due to use of a hemp oil personal care product. U.S. hemp companies voluntarily observe THC limits similar to those adopted by European nations and Canada. These limits protect consumers, with a wide margin of safety, who use hemp-content personal care products and routinely and extensively consume hemp food products from the risk of a positive drug test. Please see the hemp industry's voluntary standards regarding trace THC at: http://www.testpledge.com"Concerns reported in the story that drug-sniffing dogs could target a person wearing hemp sun block are ridiculous," says Bronner. He adds, "Thousands of gallons of hemp seed oil are legally imported into the U.S every year, yet drug sniffing dogs on the border have never confused these raw materials with marijuana. News organizations need to do a better job of reporting the facts about hemp before they do greater damage to legitimate businesses by airing unfounded allegations."Contact: Adam Eidinger, 202-744-2671 (cell), or Eric Steenstra, 703-615-3666Copyright: 2004 U.S. Newswire 
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Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on May 03, 2004 at 07:04:20 PT
Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Constitution, RIGHT?
from google's html version of:http://www.votehemp.com/PDF/DEA_letter_FINAL.pdfDr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps http://www.drbronner.com/news/11-12-03_organic_soap.html . . . sells liquid and bar soaps containing hemp oil, which the company obtains from Canada and Europe. The hemp soaps are distributed throughout the U.S. and annual retail sales are approximately $15 million. The soaps are manufactured in the U.S. and are packed and shipped from Escondido, CA.  The company employs approximately 18 people.Fresh Hemp Foods Ltd. http://www.hemperor.com/http://www.manitobaharvest.com/ . . . is a grower and processor of hemp seed for use in manufacturing its own hemp seed oil and hemp food products. The products are manufactured in Canada, packed and shipped from Winnepeg, Manitoba and distributed throughout Canada, Europe and the U.S. The company sells annually $1,000,000.00 at retail and employs 9 people. Hemp Oil Canada, Inc.http://www.hempoilcan.com/. . . is a producer of hemp seed and processor of bulk hemp food and vitamin supplement products including hemp seed oil, hemp oil gelcaps, toasted and roasted hemp seed, hulled hemp seed, cracked hemp seed and sterilized hemp seed. The company has developed and distributes a retail brand of hemp food, vitamin supplement and body care products including hemp seed oil, gelcaps, hulled hemp seed, toasted hemp seeds, hemp coffee, hemp flour, hemp protein powder and hemp shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, massage and bath oil, moisturizing cream, lip balms, hand soap and . . . MOSQUITO REPELLANT. (emphasis added -jm)see also: http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/THC_20insecticidehttp://www.herbalgram.org/herbclip/review.asp?i=41905http://www.herbalgram.org/herbclip/review.asp?i=41444Federal Government Grows Medical Marijuanahttp://www.herbalgram.org/herbclip/review.asp?i=41886Marijuana and its chief active constituent THC provide examples of whole plant materials having fewer side effects than single chemical drugshttp://www.herbalgram.org/herbclip/review.asp?i=41444http://www.hempfood.com/IHA/iha03201.htmlhttp://www.herbalremedies.com/inrep.htmlhttp://www.hempola.com/media/press_releases_2002.htmhttp://www.prep-h.com/nile.htmlhttp://www.hemp-sisters.com/Bodycare/Repellent.htmhttp://www.globalhemp.com/News/2003/May/jungle_tested_in_belize.htmland, not least: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17556.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by cloud7 on May 03, 2004 at 06:12:54 PT
correction...the abuse of certain drugs
"A Cannon spokesman said Air Force policy strictly forbids drug abuse."How quickly the media forgets about the amphetamines being not prescribed, but *given* to pilots in the Air Force. The hypocrisy is sickening.FoM, you're right with your other comment from the other article, we just have to hope...and not just about the article being printed, but our whole situation. It seems we take one step forward and three back. It's depressing, but the long term outcome is on our side. I just hope it becomes short term. However, with the recent photos of the Iraqi prisoners that were abused, I think things are going to get a lot worse in the near future before they get better.
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Comment #6 posted by BigDawg on May 03, 2004 at 06:07:23 PT
The military people have nothing to worry about.
If they use the Hemp Lotion and subsequently test positive for THC metabolotes, they can rest assured they won't be processed out of the military...... til they get back from Iraq.
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Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on May 03, 2004 at 04:14:54 PT:
They should be more worried about the bug juice
Back when I was In (we had to set the claymore mines up at night in case of dinosaurs entering the perimeter; it was that long ago) we were issued this totally ineffective bug repellent. There was only ONE thing it was good for: putting on camouflage warpaint. That's all. Pour some on your hand, dip the paint stick in it, the gunk went on like magic. The stuff, if I remember, contained benzine derivatives. Benzine is a proven carcinogen. And we used that crap every day in the field. So far as I know, they *still* use it.But they ban something that's actually healthy for skin.The Three Ways Of Doing Things: The right way, the wrong way, and the military way. Nothing ever changes...
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Comment #4 posted by Jose Melendez on May 03, 2004 at 04:03:30 PT
On just saying no . . .
Thou shalt not seek neuroprotection,Nor dopamine, that gets rejection.And when we offer to remove,anandamide and DMT (or THC and CBD)it's for YOUR protectionCan't you see?
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Comment #3 posted by Kegan on May 03, 2004 at 03:48:20 PT
If you even THINK about it
Pretty soon they'll be grilling guys sking them if they ever THOUGHT hemp or pot had any positive uses. Like the Inquisition. "Confess. CONFESS!!! You read some article about hemp fuel, and you thought it might be a better idea than good old American oil, right? Didn't you.....?...... DIDN'T YOU!!!!!???!?!?!?!?!"
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 02, 2004 at 23:14:42 PT
Hemp Sun Lotion 
I read this article and just shook my head. They want our young men to go to a foreign country and maybe die in the war. They might also get in trouble because of a Hemp Lotion. Something is terribly wrong with this picture. 
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on May 02, 2004 at 23:03:38 PT
Totally laughable
The drug warriors have cartooned themselves into permanent caraciture. The article mentioned is so absurd it creates a sort betweeb fools and those that are not. The prohibitonist are seeking an audience of fools while we laugh at them all.Use that DEET too instead of hemp repellant available at your finer hemp products store. Do you think that DEET is safe enough to eat? Then why would you continually put it on your skin?
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