Hemp-Fed Cows Get Buzzed, Study Finds, but Will Humans Who Drink Their Milk?

Maybe extra vital, at the least for people, the THC made its means into their milk, generally at ranges that exceeded consumption limits set by meals security regulators in Europe. (The US has no comparable customary. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention does advise new moms to keep away from marijuana and CBD merchandise whereas breastfeeding, saying the analysis on the results of passing even hint quantities to an toddler stays unclear.)

That mentioned, THC grew to become undetectable quickly after the hemp was faraway from the cows’ eating regimen. Obvious indicators of intoxication, together with red-rimmed eyes, runny noses and what the examine authors described as an “unsteady gait” and “irregular posture” light inside two days after the cows went chilly turkey.

Dr. Robert Pieper, a lead writer of the examine, mentioned it was unclear whether or not the hunch in milk output was attributable to THC or maybe by a number of of the handfuls of different cannabinoids or chemical compounds present in hemp vegetation.

Extra analysis was wanted, he mentioned.

“Hemp is a really versatile and precious crop, however now we have to watch out when contemplating whether or not to feed it to food-producing animals,” mentioned Dr. Pieper, who heads the meals chain security division on the German Federal Institute.

The findings are largely in sync with different latest research carried out in the USA that concerned hemp and livestock. Researchers at Oregon State College who fed hemp to sheep discovered small quantities of THC within the animal’s muscle and fats, however the chemical vanished a number of weeks after the hemp was faraway from their eating regimen. Serkan Ates, an affiliate professor at Oregon State’s School of Agricultural Sciences, mentioned the research he and his colleagues had achieved with sheep and dairy cows had satisfied him that there are few downsides to introducing hemp into the diets of livestock, particularly given the hovering price of typical feed. “The dietary worth of hemp is actually excessive however most of it’s ending up in landfill or being composted,” he mentioned.

In research achieved at Kansas State College, THC confirmed up within the plasma of hemp-fed cattle, however researchers there additionally found one thing sudden: The animals have been notably extra relaxed, in keeping with biomarkers that point out stress ranges. As within the German examine, which recorded decrease coronary heart and respiratory charges in cows that consumed excessive ranges of THC, the animals additionally spent extra time mendacity down alongside their barn mates.