Australians may soon be able to buy hemp seeds to snack on, if a new proposal is given the thumbs-up.

Key points: Experts concerned seeds could return a false-positive drug test if consumed

Experts concerned seeds could return a false-positive drug test if consumed Hemp seeds are known to be high in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and proteins

Hemp seeds are known to be high in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and proteins UK, United States, Canada and countries within Europe already approved consumption

Food regulators in Australia are considering allowing human consumption of hemp seeds low in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects.

The proposal is one that has been considered before, but now ministers responsible for food standards have requested for it be looked at again.

But some experts are concerned the seeds could return a false-positive drug test if consumed.

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Steve McCutcheon, the chief executive officer of Food Standards, said there were varieties of seeds which contained levels of the psychoactive element of THC, "known by various names, including marijuana".

"But there are also varieties that contain no THC hemp, or very low levels, and they're commonly referred to as hemp or industrial hemp and indeed they don't have any psycho-active properties," he said.

"The level of THC in hemp varies from zero to 0.5 per cent and that's on the leaf and flowering head of the plant.

"They don't have the THC or if they do it's at extremely low levels, you'd have to eat an awful lot to get anything into your system."

But experts have warned that more research was needed to determine if the seeds under consideration could return false-positive drug tests.

"That has been one of the concerns raised by ministers in the past and they have commissioned some work on looking at the potential for false-positive results in roadside drug testing programs," Mr McCutcheon said.

"That report won't be finalised until later this year and will be considered by ministers when they look at our proposal as well."

Dr Duane Mellor, an accredited practising dietician and spokesperson for the Dieticians Association of Australia, said other considerations would also need to be reviewed before hemp seeds reach food shelves.

"When a new food comes to the market people are a little bit more sceptical," he said.

"So they need to make sure it doesn't have an effect on growth or development in children for example.

"The way of judging that will be to look at countries where it's consumed regularly.

"Those sort of things will be done as due diligence to make sure it's a safe sensible approach to introduce into the diet."

Known health benefits to the seeds

Hemp seeds are known to be high in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and proteins.

"They're almost a third in weight fibre as well, so they're a good source of protein which is important for the growth and repair of cells," Dr Mellor said.

"The flip side is we need to make sure there's nothing untoward or known consequences for consuming these."

If approved, Australia would join other countries already chomping down on hemp seeds, including the UK, the United States, Canada and countries within Europe.

Public submissions are open until August 25.