I scream, you scream, we all scream for hemp

By Aitor Zabalegui

When it comes to being green, what used to be trendy is slowly becoming a federal mandate. If the latest State of the Union address was any indication, the Obama Administration, barring perpetual Senate disapproval, wants the United States to lead the fray in the global green economy. Conserving energy and minimizing carbon emissions are the principal offsets of green practices which, on a narrower level, involve buying local foods and wisely proportioning agricultural crop growth. The two biggest crops in America are corn and soybeans.

Every year, U.S. farmers grow twice as much corn as is consumed, which lowers the cost of corn and causes farmers to grow even more to make a reasonable profit. The excess corn has found its way into our diets through other means, most notably as high fructose corn syrup, an artificial sweetener that both composes and compromises the diets of obese Americans.

Green agriculture would demand a low-impact crop -- something that grows quickly, requires little to no pesticides and could be used in a variety of sustainable industrial purposes. What is most alarming is the government knows of one of these crops and has been intentionally unwilling to tap into its limitless benefits as a natural resource.

That crop is industrial hemp, and the stigma arises from its origins as a cannabis plant. Used in some biodegradable plastics, paper, fuel, clothing and food, industrial hemp has seen limited, but increasing commercial success in the U.S. One such success story is developing here at Santa Clara. Lucy Kelly, a senior English major, is the sole proprietor of Hemp I Scream in all of Calif.

Hemp I Scream started in 1996 in Boulder, Colo. with the intention of creating a vegan solution to ice cream sandwiches utilizing the natural benefits of hemp.

The dessert treat was originally served at Red Rocks Amphitheater, where Kelly began distributing the sandwiches to concert-goers three years ago. Kelly ended up being the top seller at the shows.

"It was a good market to sell to, depending on the music," she said. "People really liked it, unless it was some country western show that night. I even had some parents covering their kid's eyes as I walked past."

Last summer, she was offered to work in the production factory, where the oatmeal sandwiches are all hand-crafted from natural ingredients.

Those ingredients include hemp flour and hemp oil, which are loaded with all the essential amino and fatty acids the body needs to stay healthy, including the venerable omega-3 and omega-6.

Since the ice cream is made with hemp oil, it replaces the saturated fats found in butter, offering an equally creamy and healthy alternative.

Getting into more specific details, Kelly laid out the facts on the sandwiches, which contain six grams of protein, four grams of fiber, 4000mg of essential fatty acids and are nearly allergy-free since they are made without soy, milk, nuts or gluten. They do, however, have 360 calories.

"It's not your lowest calorie food, but the fiber and protein are complimentary nutritional items that aid the digestive process," Kelly said. "We also use granular sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, so it doesn't spike your insulin."

At the end of the summer, Kelly was given the chance to expand the business in Calif. She now manages the collection, marketing, distribution, sale and bookkeeping of Hemp I Scream from her home in Santa Clara. Kelly keeps an inventory of the sandwiches in numerous freezers in her back yard. So far, she has distributed them for sale at Zanotto's Family Markets and the Good Karma Vegan Café for $3.99 apiece but she also sells them from her home for $5. To justify the high price, Kelly explained that because of the war on drugs, strict restrictions and taboos were placed on everything associated with the cannabis plant, including hemp. As a consequence, hemp is imported to the U.S. more than anywhere else in the world and Hemp I Scream contributes to that, getting their oil and seeds from Canada which ups production cost. During her demos, Kelly said that she frequently gets people asking her smirkingly, "Can I get high off this?" Just to quell any myths, the only thing in marijuana that gets you high is tetrahydrocannabinol. Hemp has no THC content, and so Kelly tells these inquirers, "You can burn it, but it'll just melt."

The oatmeal cookie sandwiches are offered in a variety of ice cream flavors including vanilla, mocha mint, mango and the popular double Dutch chocolate.

This Valentine's day, Kelly will be offering a special where you buy any sandwich and get a "mango love" sandwich for half price. Hemp I Scream can be found on Facebook as well and you can buy straight from the source at kelly.lucyr@gmail.com.

Contact Aitor Zabalegui at azabalegui@scu.edu or at (408) 55-1918.