No more stoned cows
Switzerland's agriculture ministry has warned the country's farmers that it will prosecute them unless they stop feeding their cattle cannabis. The move follows several recent advertisements promoting hemp as cattle fodder.
Hemp belongs to the cannabis sativa family and is a cousin of marijuana and hashish. In the Alpine countries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, farmers commonly use hemp fodder. They believe that this cheap and easy-to-grow plant is good for their cows, as its active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) makes the cows happy and helps produce more milk. However, there is no evidence about these claims. The ministry is concerned that THC could get into the milk and create health risks. The authorities also said that the chemical could contaminate Swiss cheese.