Let's Talk Hemp

Category: Events

  • Register Now for the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo

    Register Now for the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo

    Applications are now being accepted for the
    2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo!

    Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities at Every Level
    Secure Your Spot Today!

    Click Here for the Package and Complete the Application

    Join CoHempCo this summer at these upcoming hemp events!
    Having a Hemp Event in your town?
    Post your event listing on HempEvents.org

    3rd Annual Hawaii Cannabis Awareness Conference
    Hilo, Hawaii
    June 15-16, 2019

    TreeFreeHemp
    is a Proud Sponsor


    UNPA



    Visit the NoCo Hemp Village at Arise Music Festival!
    Get Your Tickets Today Before Prices Increase This Sunday!

  • Hemp at the Crossroads

    Hemp at the Crossroads

    Will We Regenerate with Hemp, or Choose Corn 2.0?

    By John Roulac

    America’s hemp movement has come a long way in the past 25 years. Today, hemp CBD is experiencing its own day in the sun moment. Everywhere you turn, there’s a news story—from CVS rolling out hemp to 800 stores to Martha Stewart getting into CBD-infused pet products. In the coming decade, sales of hemp CBD are expected to rival those of vitamins.

    Yet there’s a growing concern among conscious consumers about the fact that the hemp plant is a major bioaccumulator that concentrates pesticides and other contaminates. Shall we choose hemp CBD flowers grown in RoundUp-soaked non-organic soils, or select those grown on organically farmed land? Shall we support organic farmers or farmers that spray Monsanto chemicals ?

    Corn 2.0

    Many of the current leaders in CBD, and new entrants including Canopy Growth and the recent Manitoba Harvest purchaser, Tilray, hail from the pot industry.

    The pot barons bring with them a cowboy culture born from years of operating in the shadows of the black markets. The pot industry is infamous for its environmental destruction, copious use of chemicals, and lack of transparency. In a rush for corporate profits, the pot mavens seem to want to steer the hemp industry into a remade version that we could call Corn 2.0. We are not only talking chemicals but GMO breeding to create “THC-Free” hemp varieties, un-labeled of course ; )

    Hemp, like corn, draws nitrogen out of the soil as it grows. The vast majority of hemp grown in the USA for fiber or flowers utilizes great amounts of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, causing major eco damage to local streams, lakes, and oceans. Indoor pot growers use the same type of harsh nitrogen fertilizer made from fracked natural gas.

    Unfortunately, the U.S. Hemp Authority(a trade group formed to create standards and to certify products), is not requiring brands to label the fact that they’re using GMOs or even list whether a brand’s hemp is from Europe or China. Many longtime hemp allies are not happy with this rushed , ‘pay to play’ standard, created by the pot barons themselves with help from the industrial ag sector. (See this letter that I co-signed: https://cannabusiness.law/open-letter-regarding-the-us-hemp-authority-certification-program/.)

    Beyond soil health itself, fertilizers are a main contributor to climate change, and runoff following storms is the leading cause of ocean dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico. We all need to heed the following wake-up call: At our current rate of excess carbon and heat, every fish, dolphin, and whale in our seas is projected to vanish by 2040 because of plankton die-off.

    Regeneration with Hemp 

    A major difference in how certified-organic hemp is grown is the use of renewable cover crops like clover or alfalfa to provide the nitrogen. Want to get the Cliff’s Notes on how agriculture, the leading cause of global climate change, can also be the leading solution through better practices such as composting, cover crops, and biodiversity? Ready for a paradigm shift? Watch the two-minute trailer for Kiss the Ground  (https://vimeo.com/242796310), a major motion picture (co-produced by this writer).

    The booming hemp industry can pivot to more eco-friendly and climate-beneficial farming practices. It can focus on soil health versus the vague corporate doublespeak of “responsible farming” and “sustainable methods.” Hundreds of hemp brands have claimed that their hemp is organic, yet have failed to deliver proof of organic certification for their growing methods or even their brand.

    The Choice Is Ours

    With ocean die-off and the increasing intensity of climate change bearing down on us, it’s crucial for us to choose to regenerate with hemp. Cleaner farming practices make cleaner botanicals. Doesn’t the choice seem rather easy?

    As consumers and retailers favor brands that are working to regenerate with hemp, organic farmers will increase their acres—while the acreage of non-organic, eco-destructive “Corn 2.0” hemp farmers will inevitably shrink.

    Look for the USDA organic symbol on hemp products from CBD to hemp seed oil. RE Botanicals is excited to be on this leading edge—along with new fresh hemp juice brand Lumen; organic hemp CBD brand Nature’s Love; Nutiva the largest organic hempseed brand, Mad Agriculture, a Colorado NGO working to help farmers be more regenerative; the venerable Rodale Institute; Mark Lewis, a Colorado soil farmer growing hemp in 2019; and soils health guru Ray Archuleta, who was a key note speaker at the world’s biggest hemp exposition and conference, NoCo Hemp Expo 2019.

    It’s time to regenerate with hemp!

    John Roulac is the founder of RE: Botanicals, offering USDA Certified Organic full spectrum hemp extract products. He also is the founder of the superfoods company Nutiva, and five ecological nonprofit groups, including GMO Inside. He’s written four books, including Backyard Composting and Hemp Horizons. Visit www.johnroulac.com, Facebook.com/John.Roulac.

  • Sold Out!: 2019 NoCo Hemp Expo Expected to Draw Capacity Crowd

    Sold Out!: 2019 NoCo Hemp Expo Expected to Draw Capacity Crowd

    Sold Out!: 2019 NoCo Hemp Expo Expected to Draw Capacity Crowd of Hemp Industry Professionals to Denver

    Featuring a special address from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, an Investor Forum, Business Conference, Farm Symposium, Exhibit Hall and an Impressive Lineup of Workshops and Education, the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is bringing a capacity crowd from throughout the U.S. and over 20 countries to Denver for its sold-out show.

    DENVER, Colorado (March 28, 2019) – Hemp growers, producers, manufacturers, retailers, investors and others will be descending this week in Denver to convene at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center on March 28-30 for the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo. And while tickets are still available for certain events, NoCo6 is nearly sold out.

    What began in 2014 as a modest meeting of intrepid Fort Collins-based hemp entrepreneurs has grown into the world’s largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof. Approximately 10,000 visitors are expected from throughout the U.S., as well as over 20 countries.

    “We are very excited to welcome visitors from all over the world to this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo,” said Elizabeth (Elizzy) Knight, co-founder of Colorado Hemp Company/We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA), producer of NoCo Hemp Expo. “What our small team has created, along with the help of all our supporting exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and other partners, has never been done before. Together, from the ground up, we have created a world-class convention and conference that celebrates all things hemp – from botanicals and CBD to bioplastics and building materials – and that showcases Colorado as a center of the hemp marketplace.”

    Hemp producers are feeling bullish in 2019, since the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, better known as the Farm Bill, which legalized the commercial cultivation and sale of industrial hemp, defined as containing less than 0.3% THC. According to Hemp Business Journal’s new report, The Global State of Hemp: 2019 Industry Outlook, U.S. sales of hemp products – from full-spectrum hemp extract and CBD products to hemp foods, textiles, building materials and more – estimated at $1 billion in 2018, are projected to grow 27% annually to reach $2.6 billion by 2022. Global hemp retail sales totaled $3.7 billion in 2018 and are projected to grow to $5.7 billion by 2020.

    NoCo Hemp Expo Program Highlights

    Featured speakers for this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo include Colorado Governor and hemp advocate Jared Polis; Native American tribal leader turned hemp farmer Winona LaDuke; David Bronner, 5th generation CEO of legendary soap maker Dr. Bronner’s; renowned market researcher Dr. Michelle Barry; regenerative agriculture and soil expert Ray Archuleta; hemp expert and author Doug Fine; hemp entrepreneurs Dani Billings of Nature’s Root and Janel Ralph of Palmetto Harmony; and other leaders breaking new ground in the industrial hemp market. For a complete list of speakers, visit here and for a full program schedule, visit here.

    Also, NoCo6 has produced a digital and print magazine/show program, Let’s Talk Hemp, for the first time in partnership with Honeysuckle Magazine, which can be viewed

    Other NoCo6 event highlights include:

    Hemp Industry Daily Investor Forum, Thursday, March 28 – Tickets Are Still Available

    Legal updates and insights; investment trends and deal flow; opportunities and investments; networking; luncheon and more. Visit here for info.

    Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference, Friday, March 29 – Sold Out!

    Vertical integration; policy and regulation; compliance and certification; processing and manufacturing; market research; the global business of hemp. Visit here for info.

    Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium, Saturday, March 30 – Sold Out!

    Regenerative farming; soil health; genetics; new technology and equipment; regulations and compliance. Visit here for info.

    Expo Hall, Friday/Saturday, March 29-30, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Tickets Are Still Available

    With more than 225 exhibitors, NoCo6’s Expo Hall is open to B2B visitors on March 29 and March 30. The Expo Hall is open to consumers and the public on March 30. Features include the Bish Equipment Zone, HempToday International Alley, Science & Tech Spotlight, Adept Payments Workshop and Education Stage, EnviroTextiles Fashion Parade, Blu Nahulu Art Zone and more. Visit here for info.

    NoCo After Party, Saturday, March 30, 8:00 pm – Midnight – Tickets Are Still Available

    Hang with friends at the Hemp Renaissance Ball After Party on Saturday, March 30, 8:00 pm – midnight at the Renaissance Hotel – Denver Stapleton. Buy tickets here.

    Press Conference, Friday, March 29, 9:15 am – 9:45 am

    For qualified and registered media attendees, NoCo Hemp Expo will host a press conference on Friday, March 29, 2019, onsite at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center at 9:15 – 9:45 am, before the conference and exhibition hall opens. To qualify for a Press Pass, contact here.

    To purchase tickets for all remaining available events, visit www.NoCoHempExpo.com.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    GenCanna™ is the Presenting Sponsor of NoCo6.

    Business Conference Sponsors include: Elixinol, New Hope Network, Benmar Extractions, Hoban Law Group, Lilu’s Garden, McAllister Garfield P.C., Frank Robison Law Group, and Steep Fuze Coffee.

    Farm Symposium Sponsors include; Bluhen Botanicals, Bish Enterprises, Colorado Breeders Depot, Front Range Biosciences, Hempsac, New West Genetics, ProVerde Labs and Rad Extracts. Meet all of our Sponsor Partners here: https://nocohempexpo.com/sponsors/.

    About the NoCo Hemp Expo

    The 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, a division of WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO. WAFBA also is the producer of the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo and founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services. Areas of focus include product and brand development, event production, consulting and advocacy. NoCo6 provides support to nonprofit organizations including Bee Heroic; the Jack Herer Foundation; and Hemp History Week, celebrating its 10th anniversary in June 2019. Learn more at NocoHempExpo.com, or visit us on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, #NoCo6. 

  • How Mission-Conscious Leaders Drive Educational Program at NoCo Hemp Expo

    How Mission-Conscious Leaders Drive Educational Program at NoCo Hemp Expo

    By Steven Hoffman

    Hemp is changing the world, and as sales take off for all things hemp – from full spectrum hemp extract and CBD products to foods, textiles, building materials, plastics and more – nearly 10,000 producers, investors, entrepreneurs and others will converge on March 28-30, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, for the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo.

    Featured speakers for this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo include Colorado Governor and hemp advocate Jared Polis; Native American tribal leader turned hemp farmer Winona LaDuke; David Bronner, 5th generation CEO of legendary soap maker Dr. Bronner’s; renowned market researcher Dr. Michelle Barry; regenerative agriculture and soil expert Ray Archuleta; hemp expert and author Doug Fine; hemp entrepreneurs Dani Billings of Nature’s Root and Janel Ralph of Palmetto Harmony; and other leaders breaking new ground in the industrial hemp market. For a complete list of speakers, visit here and for a full program schedule, visit here.

    NoCo Hemp Expo is the largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof. The highly anticipated event includes a pre-conference Investors Forum on March 28, and full day events including a Business Conference on March 29 and Farm Symposium on March 30. An expanded exhibit hall is open for B2B visitors on March 29-30, and to the public on Saturday, March 30. Visit here for ticket info.

    News Briefs

     

     

    Sana Launches 100% Reclaimed Ocean Plastic Cannabis Packaging
    by PR Newswire

    CBD Industry Ponders Future After FDA Commissioner Resigns
    by Hemp Industry Daily

    Scientists Synthesize Cannabinoids Using GMO Yeast
    by CBC News

    CBD and Expo West: the Natural Industry Gets Serious
    by CBD Insider

     

    Upcoming Events

    The Road to NoCo: Mark Your Calendar for the Largest Gathering of Hemp Industry Professionals Under One RoofDon’t Miss Season 2 of the Let’s Talk Hemp PodcasDon’t miss Season 2 of the Let’s Talk Hemp Podcast featuring hosts Morris Beegle and Rick Trojan, where we are “Changing the Cannabis Conversation.” Listen to attorney Frank Robison discuss what the Farm Bill means, the USDA and FDA involvement moving forward, and his take on recent product seizures in Idaho and Oklahoma. #LetsTalkHemp, #The422

    About Let’s Talk Hemp
    Let’s Talk Hemp is a publication of Colorado Hemp Company focused specifically on the subject of industrial hemp and cannabis. We present features and curate news from across the globe to share the benefits of cannabis on health, energy, manufacturing and planet (H.E.M.P.).

    Send Us Your Hemp News!
    Send press releases and news announcements to news@letstalkhemp.com

  • Colorado Governor and Hemp Industry Advocate Jared Polis to Be Featured Speaker at 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo in Denver

    Colorado Governor and Hemp Industry Advocate Jared Polis to Be Featured Speaker at 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo in Denver

    NoCo6 producer expects 8,000 – 10,000 visitors will attend the largest gathering of hemp industry professionals ever under one roof at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center in Denver, March 28-30, 2019.

    DENVER (February 20, 2019) – Colorado’s newly elected Governor Jared Polis, who in his first State of the State speech in January 2019 announced his plan to “make good on the promise of industrial hemp,” will be a featured speaker at NoCo Hemp Expo, as the sixth annual gathering of hemp industry leaders makes its Denver debut with more exhibition space, educational programming, networking and after-event opportunities than ever before, March 28-30, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center.

    Polis, an entrepreneur, educational leader, former U.S. Congressman and Colorado native, is a longtime supporter of the hemp and cannabis industries. He advocated for expungement of non-violent cannabis-related criminal records, expansion of Colorado’s medical marijuana program and non-cooperation with enforcement of federal prohibition during his campaign. Polis even had the programs for his inauguration on January 8 printed on hemp paper.

    “Hemp is an amazingly versatile crop, and I’m proud to see Colorado’s rural communities leading the way to unleash its untapped economic potential,” he said during the campaign. “As Governor, I’ll support our farmers and innovators who want to develop industrial hemp—and I’ll tell the federal government to stay out of their way.”

    “We are honored to have Governor Polis, a friend, a believer, and a leading ally of the hemp industry, speak at NoCo6,” said Morris Beegle, co-founder of Colorado Hemp Company, which produces NoCo Hemp Expo. “Jared has supported this industry for a long time, not only with words, but with his actions as a Congressional representative for

    Colorado. We are excited to hear what he has to say about the future of hemp and the opportunities that exist not only for Coloradoan’s, but for people across the country and around the globe.”

    Governor Polis joins a vibrant speaker lineup at NoCo6, including hemp advocate David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) for top-selling Dr. Bronner’s natural soaps, and Michelle Barry, co-founder and CEO of VITA Technologies, which delivers customized innovation research, product development and brand launch tactics through quantum water biophysics and quantum biology.

    NoCo6: The Hemp Industry Event of the Year

    Hemp advocates across the nation will convene at NoCo6 to celebrate legalization of industrial hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill, passed in late December. With 225 exhibitors featured in the expo hall and three days of educational conferences, there is something for everyone at NoCo6! Learn more about the premier Let’s Talk Hemp conference series featuring the Business Conference, Farm Symposium and the newly added Hemp Industry Daily Investor Forum at NoCo6.

    Giving Back

    NoCo6 provides support to nonprofit organizations including save-the-polinators group Bee Heroic; the Food Aid Project, which provides software that helps food banks save time and money; hemp education group the Jack Herer Foundation; and Hemp History Week, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, June 3-9, 2019.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    GenCanna™, is the Presenting Sponsor of NoCo6. Other sponsors this week include Chiefton Supply, 710 Spirits, McAllister & Garfield, PC, QC Infusion, Salt Creek Hemp, Functional Remedies, Steep Fuze, Sunrise Genetics, EnviroTextiles, Whole Made Bath Co, Serenity Remedies, Colorado Hemp Project, Aurum Labs and more.  Meet all of our Sponsors here: https://nocohempexpo.com/sponsors/.

    Tickets on Sale Now

    Tickets are available for the Pre-Conference Hemp Industry Daily Investment Forum, Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference, Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium and B2B Industry Day in the Expo Hall. For all ticket levels, information and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

    About the NoCo Hemp Expo

    The 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, a division of WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO. WAFBA also is the producer of the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo and founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services. Areas of focus include product and brand development, event production, consulting and advocacy. Visit NocoHempExpo.com, or visit our YouTube Channel for a video about #NoCo6. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, #NoCo6. 

    # # #

    Contact
    Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
    Morris Beegle, Colorado Hemp Company, 970.541.0448, info@nocohempexpo.com

  • Asian Hemp Summit: It’s all about Perspective

    Asian Hemp Summit: It’s all about Perspective

    by Rick Trojan

    Today I’m sitting at the base of Machapuchare (aka Fish Tail Mountain) in the Himalayas, one of the three sacred mountains in the Hindu religion, and the apparent residence of Shiva. To us Westerners and “round eyes,” it’s the Mount Olympus of the Hindi. I spent the last few days hiking the mountains after the Asian Hemp Summit, which Morris Beegle and I attended, spoke at, and ROCKED!  We brought the magic of karaoke to Nepal, and Morris sang his first karaoke ever – Black Sabbath’s War Pigs – and I rocked some Jack Black & Vanilla Ice… ice baby!

    The conference was not only enlightening and educational, but provided opportunity for networking with leaders of 25+ countries.  As I listened and learned, I had one main takeaway – It’s all about perspective!  That’s exactly what Let’s Talk Hemp and the 422 podcast brings, a variety of perspectives.

    Machapuchare, one of the three holy mountains for the Hindu religion, stands tall at 6,993 meters (22,943 feet) and its left sided neighbor, Annapurna South, stands 7,219 m (23,684 ft), over 600 feet higher. Sitting here I can plainly see that Annapurna South is higher than Fish Tail. However, during my hike down from and around Fish Tail, it clearly looked like the taller mountain. The reality is, the mountain altitude didn’t change, but my viewpoint did; making the smaller mountain seem higher.

    The same holds true for our industry.  With all the recent changes, the 2018 Agricultural Act and FDA interference, it’s easy to lose perspective on the industry and market. As an American, I’m raised to believe that my country is the leader of the world, which includes cannabis. However, after attending the event with Morris in Kathmandu, I realized that my perspective is skewed. In fact, China holds more than 50% of the patents on cannabis, India has been growing and using this plant for eons, and Japan is realizing the economic benefit of its fiber, food and dietary supplement.

    America, I realized, has a lot to learn from other countries regarding cannabis. We are not the tallest mountain. But we are the largest market.

    It’s with these new glasses that we return to USA and launch Let’s Talk Hemp Season 2 – Changing the Cannabis Conversation. It’s time to embrace the knowledge that Morris and I have gathered during our international speaking engagements – be it Colombia (March 2018), Balkannabis in Athens (June 2018), the European Industrial Hemp Association conference (Cologne, Germany 2018), Japanese exploration (November 2018) and the Asian Hemp Summit (Nepal, Feb 2019).

    Meeting folks from India, China, Japan, Nepal, Poland, the Netherlands, Tasmania and 18 other countries helps provide unique perspective. This is the perspective that we’re bringing to Season 2 of the podcast, launching Feb 22, 2019.  

    Rick Trojan is Founder of the Hemp Road Trip, VP of the Hemp Industries Association, Director of Vote Hemp, Director of the Industrial Hemp Research Foundation, and with Morris Beegle is co-host of the Let’s Talk Hemp Podcast.

  • The Hemp Industry Event of the Year

    The Hemp Industry Event of the Year

    Attend the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo March 29-30, Denver, CO

    From botanicals to bioplastics, and from CBD to building materials, industrial hemp’s many uses will be showcased at the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo (#NoCo6) on March 29-30, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center in Denver. The NoCo Hemp Expo is the largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof.

    Approximately 8,000-10,000 attendees, including investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, producers and other leaders in hemp will attend this year’s event to participate in a newly added pre-conference Hemp Industry Daily Investor’s Forum at NoCo Hemp Expo on March 28, plus a full-day Business Conference, Farm Symposium and expanded Exhibition Hall open to professionals on March 29-30. Additionally, tickets are available to the public to visit the Expo Hall on Saturday, March 30.

     

    70,000+ Square Feet of Hemp Exhibits and Education

    NoCo Hemp Expo will feature 70,000+ sq. ft. of exhibits and education programming space with 225 exhibitors. In addition to the Business Conference and Farm Symposium, NoCo6 will feature workshops and panels, networking events and after-parties. The Business Conference, Farm Symposium and the Bish Enterprises Equipment Zone all will be expanded this year to accommodate the rapidly growing interest in hemp.

    David Bronner Featured as Keynote Speaker

    Hemp industry and natural products pioneer David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of the legendary 5th generation soap company Dr. Bronner’s, will be this year’s keynote speaker. David’s talk, scheduled for Saturday, March 30, will address hemp’s key role in regenerative organic agriculture to help rebuild soils, sequester carbon and mitigate climate change.

    Hemp Industry Daily Investor’s Forum at NoCo Hemp Expo Added to Educational Program

    To address the growing needs of the U.S. hemp market, expected to reach $4 billion in sales by 2022, Colorado Hemp Company – the producer of NoCo6 – is partnering with Hemp Industry Daily for a Pre-ConferenceInvestor’s Forum on March 28. The Hemp Industry Daily Investor’s Forum at NoCo6 is open to accredited and institutional investors along with industry CEOs and executives looking for capital investment avenues to grow their businesses. For more information, visit www.NoCoHempExpo.com.

    Topics for the full-day Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference range from legal and banking issues to supply chain management, retail strategies and marketing and communications. Topics for the Farm Symposium include seed genetics, soil health, regenerative organic farming practices, harvesting, drying and processing, and more.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    GenCanna™, a Kentucky-based company that focuses on scaling premium agricultural hemp production for food products to promote easy availability locally, nationally and globally, is the presenting sponsor of NoCo6. With a 150-acre agricultural campus and a $40-million processing plant under way in rural Kentucky, GenCanna™ conducts groundbreaking research and commercialization of hemp processing methods and product development.

    In addition to Presenting Sponsor GenCanna™, new sponsors this week include, Ambary Gardens, Botanical Rush, CV Sciences, Enerhealth Botanicals, Extract Labs, Front Range Biosciences, Hawthorne Gardening, Hempsac, Ingenuity Beverages, Isolate Extraction Systems, Lazarus Naturals, Lilu’s Garden, New West Genetics, ProVerde Laboratories, Pure Hemp Botanicals, RAD Extracts, and Frank Robison Law Group. Meet all of our Sponsors here https://nocohempexpo.com/sponsors/.

     

  • Financing Hemp: 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Adds Pre-Conference Investment Forum

    Financing Hemp: 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Adds Pre-Conference Investment Forum

    The hemp industry is poised for exponential growth now that this incredibly useful plant is legal to grow and sell in the U.S. for the first time in over 80 years. To address the growing needs of the U.S. hemp market, expected to reach $4 billion in sales by 2022, Colorado Hemp Company – the producer of NoCo6 – is partnering with Hemp Industry Daily to add a Pre-Conference Investment Forum on March 28. The pre-conference event is open to accredited and institutional investors along with industry CEOs and executives looking for capital investment avenues to grow their businesses. For more information, visit www.NoCoHempExpo.com.

    For NoCo6’s main conference programming, the 2019 event will feature a solid lineup of business leaders and experts in the industrial hemp market. The initial round of keynote presenters and speakers for the Investment Forum, Business Conference and Farm Symposium will be announced in early February. Topics for the full-day Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference range from legal and banking issues to supply chain management, retail strategies and marketing and communications. Topics for the Farm Symposium include seed genetics, soil health, regenerative organic farming practices, harvesting, drying and processing, and more.

    Read more here.

    News Briefs

    Can FDA Stop Interstate Hemp Commerce?
    by NewsChannel5

    Pennsylvania Throws Doors Open for Hemp Production
    by The Morning Call

    Hemp Entrepreneurs Claim Facebook Favors Large Retailers
    by Yahoo Finance

    “Calling Out to My Nation” – Turkish Farmers Urged to Grow Hemp
    by Hemp Today

     

    Upcoming Events

    The Road to NoCo: Mark Your Calendar for the Largest Gathering of Hemp Industry Professionals Under One Roof[The Road to NoCo6 – Check Out Our Rockin’ Promo Video

    About Let’s Talk Hemp
    Let’s Talk Hemp is a publication of Colorado Hemp Company focused specifically on the subject of industrial hemp and cannabis. We present features and curate news from across the globe to share the benefits of cannabis on health, energy, manufacturing and planet (H.E.M.P.).

    Send Us Your Hemp News!
    Send press releases and news announcements to news@letstalkhemp.com

  • Hemp Industry to Gather in Denver for the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the Largest Gathering of Hemp Industry Professionals Under One Roof

    Hemp Industry to Gather in Denver for the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the Largest Gathering of Hemp Industry Professionals Under One Roof

    America’s Largest Hemp Expo Adds Pre-Conference Investment Forum to Full-day Business Conference, Farm Symposium and Expanded Exhibit Hall

    DENVER (January 24, 2019) – From botanicals to bioplastics, and from CBD to building materials, industrial hemp’s many uses will be showcased at the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo (#NoCo6) on March 29-30, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center in Denver. The NoCo Hemp Expo is the largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof.

    Approximately 8,000-10,000 attendees, including investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, producers and other leaders in hemp will attend this year’s event to participate in a newly added pre-conference Investment Forum on March 28, plus a full-day Business Conference, Farm Symposium and expanded Exhibition Hall open to professionals on March 29-30. Additionally, tickets are available to the public to visit the Expo Hall on Saturday, March 30.

    New Investment Forum Added to Educational Program

    The hemp industry is poised for exponential growth now that this incredibly useful plant is legal to grow and sell in the U.S. for the first time in over 80 years. To address the growing needs of the U.S. hemp market, expected to reach $4 billion in sales by 2022, Colorado Hemp Company – the producer of NoCo6 – is partnering with Hemp Industry Daily to add a Pre-Conference Investment Forum on March 28. The pre-conference event is open to accredited and institutional investors along with industry CEOs and executives looking for capital investment avenues to grow their businesses. For more information, visit www.NoCoHempExpo.com.

    For NoCo6’s main conference programming, the 2019 event will feature a solid lineup of business leaders and experts in the industrial hemp market. The initial round of keynote presenters and speakers for the Investment Forum, Business Conference and Farm Symposium will be announced in early February. Topics for the full-day Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference range from legal and banking issues to supply chain management, retail strategies and marketing and communications. Topics for the Farm Symposium include seed genetics, soil health, regenerative organic farming practices, harvesting, drying and processing, and more.

    NoCo Hemp Expo has featured such speakers as Arran Stephens, CEO and co-founder of Nature’s Path, one of the largest privately held sellers of organic and hemp foods; John Roulac, hemp food pioneer and founder of Nutiva; Winona LaDuke, Native American tribal leader, hemp agriculture advocate and former Vice-Presidential candidate of the United States; world-renowned soil expert Ray Archuleta; leading hemp attorney Bob Hoban; and many others.

    70,000+ Square Feet of Hemp Exhibits and Education Under One Roof

    NoCo Hemp Expo will feature 70,000+ sq. ft. of exhibits and education programming space with 225 exhibitors. In addition to the Business Conference and Farm Symposium, NoCo6 will feature a Global Hemp Village, science and technical workshops, networking events and after-parties. The Business Conference, Farm Symposium and the Bish Enterprises Equipment Zone all will be expanded this year to accommodate the rapidly growing interest in all things hemp.

    “We’re excited to raise the level of professionalism at NoCo6. We’ve built the biggest stage and best platform in the hemp space over the past five years to bring together experts, thought leaders and organizations as we curate a future for an industry that can truly and meaningfully impact the world in a positive way,” said Morris Beegle, co-producer of NoCo Hemp Expo.

    Video Presentation

    For a 60-second video introduction to the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, visit here.

    Tickets Are On Sale Now

    Tickets are now available for the Pre-Conference Investment Forum, Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference, Farm Symposium and Expo Hall. For all ticket levels, information and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

    About the NoCo Hemp Expo

    The 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, a division of WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO. WAFBA also is the producer of the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo and founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services. Areas of focus include product and brand development, event production, consulting and advocacy. Learn more at NocoHempExpo.com, or visit our YouTube Channel for a promo video about #NoCo6. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, #NoCo6.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    GenCanna™, a Kentucky-based company that focuses on scaling premium agricultural hemp production for food products to promote easy availability locally, nationally and globally, is the presenting sponsor of NoCo6. With a 150-acre agricultural campus and a $40-million processing plant under way in rural Kentucky, GenCanna™ conducts groundbreaking research and commercialization of hemp processing methods and product development.

    In addition to Presenting Sponsor GenCanna™, International Hemp Solutions is NoCo6’s Global Outreach Sponsor. Sponsors also include PureHemp Technology, Elixinol, Bluhen Botanicals, Bluebird Botanicals, SubZero Extracts, Palmetto Harmony, HGH Seed, Bish Enterprises, Restorative Botanicals, Boulder Botanicals, Key to Life, and Nature’s Love.  

    # # #

    Contact
    Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
    Morris Beegle, Colorado Hemp Company, 970.541.0448, info@nocohempexpo.com

  • 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Moves to Denver; Announces Presenting Sponsor GenCanna

    6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Moves to Denver; Announces Presenting Sponsor GenCanna

    Kentucky-based CBD producer GenCanna Global Inc. will be featured as the Presenting Sponsor of the world’s largest hemp expo and conference

    #NoCo6 will feature expanded exhibition space and educational programming, including a full-day business conference and farm symposium, on March 29-30, 2019, in Denver. More than 8,000 attendees are expected as industry businesses and thought leaders gather to create a vibrant future for the newly legal hemp market.

    DENVER (January 16, 2019) – Following five years of exponential growth as the world’s largest hemp exposition and business conference, the NoCo Hemp Expo is moving its upcoming sixth annual event from Loveland, CO, to Denver’s Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center.

    As growers, producers and consumers consider a future that looks extremely optimistic after hemp was legalized under the game-changing 2018 Farm Bill, #NoCo6 promises to be the most dynamic expo and conference yet.

    GenCanna™, a Kentucky-based company that focuses on scaling premium agricultural hemp production for food products to promote easy availability locally, nationally and globally, is the presenting sponsor of NoCo6. With a 150-acre agricultural campus near Winchester, GenCanna™ conducts groundbreaking research and commercialization of hemp processing methods and product development. With a $40 million processing plant in rural Kentucky under way, GenCanna™ has been growing rapidly to meet market demands.

    “We are excited to have GenCanna™ join us this year as our Presenting Sponsor. GenCanna™ has been a leading company out of Kentucky since the 2014 Farm Bill passed, and has established itself as a market leader and an organization positioned to play a significant role in the expansion of the hemp industry for years to come,” said Morris Beegle, co-founder of Colorado Hemp Company, which produces the NoCo Hemp Expo, and will present the second annual Southern Hemp Expo in Nashville on September 6-7, 2019.

    “The Southern Hemp Expo was excellent, and that’s where we made our decision to sponsor the upcoming NoCo6 in a bigger way,” said GenCanna™ Chief Sales Officer Garrett Bain. “We see it as an opportunity to tell the community at large what we’re doing, because 2019 is an important year for us. Our commitment to the hemp industry has been strong since 2014, and with the Farm Bill, we’ll see rapid evolution of hemp’s place in the American economy. We’re excited to be stewards in that marketplace and to come together with some of the greatest minds at NoCo6.”

    NoCo Hemp Expo, the largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof, will feature 70,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 225 exhibitors, a business conference and farm symposium, a global hemp village, science and technical workshops, and several networking events and after-parties. The Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference, Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium and the Bish Enterprises Equipment Zone will all be expanded this year. The event is expected to draw more than 8,000 attendees.

    “We have built the biggest stage and best platform in the hemp space over the past five years to bring together industry experts, thought leaders and organizations as we curate a future for an industry that can truly and meaningfully impact the world in a positive way,” Beegle added.

    Colorado Hemp Co. also recently launched a weekly e-newsletter, Let’s Talk Hemp, covering news, entertainment and trends in the emerging hemp products market to accompany its Let’s Talk Hemp podcast featuring industry leaders Morris Beegle and Rick Trojan. To subscribe, visit https://letstalkhemp.com/.

    Video Presentation

    For a 60-second video introduction to the 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, visit here.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    In addition to Presenting Sponsor GenCanna™, International Hemp Solutions is NoCo6’s Global Outreach Sponsor. Other sponsors include PureHemp Technology, Bluhen Botanicals, Elixinol, Bluebird Botanicals, SubZero Extracts, Palmetto Harmony, HGH Seed, Restorative Botanicals, Boulder Botanicals, Key to Life, Bish Enterprises and Nature’s Love.  

    Tickets Are On Sale Now

    Tickets are now available for the Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference, Farm Symposium and Expo Hall. For all ticket levels, information and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

    About the NoCo Hemp Expo

    The 6th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, a division of WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO. WAFBA also is the producer of the 2nd Annual Southern Hemp Expo and founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services. Areas of focus include product and brand development, event production, consulting and advocacy. Learn more at NocoHempExpo.com, or visit our YouTube Channel for a promo video about #NoCo6. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, #NoCo6.

  • SHE’s writing hemp history in Nashville

    SHE’s writing hemp history in Nashville

    by John Dvorak

    The Southern Hemp Expo (SHE), held at the Nashville Fairgrounds in September 2018, was organized by Cecily Friday of the Tennessee Cannabis Coalition, Colleen Keahey Lanier, Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association and hemptrepreneur extraordinaire Morris Beegle.  This trio of thought leaders worked tirelessly to replicate Beegle’s highly successful NOCO Hemp Expo in Tennessee.  They did an excellent job taking care of the speakers and attendees alike.  There was a lot of local media coverage of the Expo as people are realizing the regenerative effect that hemp can have for farmers and the economy.

    For me, one of the many highlights was Eli Shalom’s hemp paper making lecture and demonstration.  Eli, who has been producing beautiful craft hemp paper for years, described how hemp fiber and water are added to an oval shaped beater where they go round and round as the fibers are pulled apart, churned and made more pliable.  The beater’s purpose is to macerate the hemp fibers, creating more surface area for them to link together during the papermaking process. The pulpy slurry is spread onto a framed screen where the individual fibers form bonds as the water drains.  Pressure is added to squeeze out excess water resulting in very strong and flexible sheets of hemp paper.

    After Eli’s talk, I realized that the SHE was a beater in its own right: thousands of individuals pouring onto the circular trade show floor where 100 vendors stood ready to break open any misconceptions about cannabis hemp.  As people jostled with each other to make their way around, waves of hempformation flowed over them in a frenetic manner. Once this human slurry was mixed, the proto-hempsters poured into the lecture halls where they synergistically coalesced into something that is stronger than each individual.  The speakers acted as pressure that squeezed out misinformation and helped turn concepts into coherent action plans. I was honored to contribute to this effort by giving my Cannabis Curriculum presentation.  People left the Expo unified, strengthened and ready to write their own chapter of hempen history.  Now, I’ll try to turn the page on this tearable hemp paper analogy and get my sheet together.

    Similar to what I experienced in Oklahoma recently, Cannabidiol (CBD) has taken the South by storm.  A large majority of vendors at the Expo were promoting this non-intoxicating cannabinoid and with good reason.  Stories abounded of CBD’s healing properties: controlling seizures, relieving pain and anxiety as well as being an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectant.  A particularly poignant presentation was given by Janel Ralph of Palmetto Harmony who spoke passionately about how CBD has significantly improved the quality of life for her daughter, Harmony.

    There were several more traditional hemp merchants there too including Sunstrand, which focuses on the many uses of the hemp stalk, from hurd based particle board to bast fiber insulation.  The humble hemp seed was not forgotten either, as Laura’s Hemp Chocolates and Victory Hemp both had tasty products on display.  Rick Trojan, who MC’d several speaker panels in an easy going and professional manner, was showing off his newly wrapped Hemp Road Trip bus in the SHE parking lot.  Keep an eye out for a tour date near you!

    Numerous hemp luminaries were in attendance including Vote Hemp lobbyist Ben Droz, a study in perpetual motion and genuinely kind fellow.  Hemp pioneers Joe Hickey, Craig Lee and John Roulac were there to provide an experienced voice of reason and reality check.  It was encouraging to see a new generation of whole plant cannabis advocates, like Cait Curley, taking up the hempen mantle in an energetic and innovative manner.  I enjoyed finally meeting fellow hempologist, Daniel Isenstein, whose Hemp Highway of Kentucky website really drives home the canna-history of the Bluegrass State.

    Ryan Loflin of Rocky Mountain Hemp shared his invaluable lessons learned growing hemp in Colorado while author, goat herder and uber-hempster Doug Fine lent good humor and poignant insights to the proceedings.  Veteran Mike Lewis, founder of the Growing Warriors Project, talked about the challenges and opportunities awaiting members of our armed services.

    The ever cheerful Coach Freddie Cecchini was there documenting the event for his ihemp Revolution podcast.  He played his trademark washboard to complement the musical entertainment at the after party which also saw hempentainer and musical muse Aviva Vuvuzela perform her classic song Cannabis Car.  All in all, the Southern Hemp Expo was a resounding success and participants are already looking forward to writing more hemp history at next year’s event.


     

    The Road to NoCo: After a hosting a successful Hawaii Hemp Conference, we hope you will join us for the upcoming  Winter Hemp Summit, Jan. 11, 2019, in Fort Collins, CO.

    News Briefs

    Top 5 Hemp Companies Well Positioned for Farm Bill
    by Yahoo Finance

    Government Shutdown Impacts Applications to Grow and Process Hemp
    by KUTV

    CBD Brands Advertise in Times Square for New Year’s
    by Hemp Today

    Scientists Excited to Study Legal Hemp
    by Vox


    Upcoming Events

    The Road to NoCo: Mark Your Calendar for the Largest Gathering of Hemp Industry Professionals Under One Roof

    Have a listen.
    The Let’s Talk Hemp Podcast     with Morris Beagle & Rick Trojan

    Let’s Talk Hemp & The 422

    Join us for a short 422 podcast featuring author and hemp expert Doug Fine on opportunities in Hawaii’s emerging hemp industry.

    About Let’s Talk Hemp

    Let’s Talk Hemp is a publication of Colorado Hemp Company focused specifically on the subject of industrial hemp and cannabis. We present features and curate news from across the globe to share the benefits of cannabis on health, energy, manufacturing and planet (H.E.M.P.).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”45″][vc_column_text]Join our mailing list and get the latest inside scoop on ALL THINGS HEMP with our new Let’s Talk Hemp Weekly newsletter and updates on Season 2 of Let’s Talk Hemp and The 422 coming early 2019.

    Send Us Your Hemp News!
    Send press releases and news announcements to news@letstalkhemp.com

  • 90 Days Until NoCo Hemp Expo 2019 – Apply for a Sponsorship, Exhibitor Space or Call for Speakers Today

    90 Days Until NoCo Hemp Expo 2019 – Apply for a Sponsorship, Exhibitor Space or Call for Speakers Today

    90 Days until NoCo Hemp Expo 2019! Applications are now being accepted for Sponsors, Exhibitors and Call for Speakers.  Apply Today – Tickets on Sale Soon!

    We are 90 days out until the 6th annual NoCo Hemp Expo and applications are now being accepted for Sponsors, Exhibitors and Speakers!

    Please take a moment to complete your application by clicking on the link below and secure your space at NoCo6. Don’t miss out on the most comprehensive hemp exposition and trade show on the planet.

    A few tickets remain! Get yours today and celebrate hemp’s victory with us!

  • NoCo Hemp Expo 2019 Registration Now Open For Returning Sponsors & Exhibitors!

    NoCo Hemp Expo 2019 Registration Now Open For Returning Sponsors & Exhibitors!

    Registration for NoCo Hemp Expo is Now Open for Returning Sponsors & Exhibitors – Winter Hemp Summit Tickets on Sale Now, Limited Space Remains!

    We are pleased to let you know that registration for the 6th annual NoCo Hemp Expo is now open. As a returning vendor of our past events, you have first priority to review the packages available and receive a 15% discount on the package you choose. Please take a moment to complete the application and you’ll have the option to choose a space or come back at a later time and complete your selection. We look forward to your participation.

     

    Registration for NoCo Hemp Expo

  • Winter Hemp Summit Tickets Available Now

    Winter Hemp Summit Tickets Available Now

    Get on the road to NoCo6 at the Winter Hemp Summit on January 11, 2019 at Block One Events in Fort Collins, Colorado. This town-hall style luncheon is to openly discuss where we have been since the passing of Amendment 64 and where the future of hemp is going. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to gather with your peers in an intimate setting. Sponsorships available and tickets on sale now!

  • Hemp Comes to Hawaii

    Hemp Comes to Hawaii

    Hawaii to Celebrate Its Legal Hemp Harvest with 2nd Annual Gathering of Industry’s Most Knowledgeable Experts at Hawaii Hemp Conference, Honolulu, December 1

    Presenting Sponsor Vespucci Collective, a Hawaii-based Hemp Development Company, helps underwrite the 2nd Annual Hawaii Hemp Conference, bringing leading researchers, farmers and entrepreneurs to share ideas, products and information about an emerging industrial crop that is poised to invigorate agriculture and the economy in Hawaii.

    2nd Annual Hawaii Hemp Conference
    Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI, December 1, 2018
    Tickets and Information: www.hawaiihempconference.com

    HONOLULU, HI (November 12, 2018) – Fresh on the heels of Hawaii’s first legal hemp harvest, the second annual Hawaii Hemp Conference will gather the most knowledgeable hemp experts from the islands (and the world) at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu on December 1, 2018. Join us for a not-to-be-missed day of education from leading researchers, farmers, and entrepreneurs about hemp cultivation, sales and marketing, and a full expo hall with hemp vendors and products.

    “Hemp is emerging as a cash crop that could revitalize agriculture in Hawaii, and the Hawaii Hemp Conference will deliver the cutting-edge information and education that people need to grow, produce, and sell it,” said Colorado Hemp Company co-founder Morris Beegle, who produces the Hawaii Hemp Conference, as well as the Colorado-based NoCo Hemp Expo and Nashville-based Southern Hemp Expo. “The industry’s leaders will be on hand to help people grow their hemp businesses, no matter where they live. Hemp is a vibrant industry growing at an astronomical pace, and the networking opportunities will be unmatched.”

    Presenting Sponsor Vespucci Collective Catalyzing Hawaii’s Hemp Industry

    Hawaii Hemp Conference’s 2018 Presenting Sponsor is Vespucci Collective, an industrial hemp resource company conceived out of a desire to preserve and protect the beautiful natural environment of the Hawaiian Islands, where the company’s founders grew up.

    “Hemp holds untold potential to enable a prosperous and environmentally sustainable agricultural economy that can greatly benefit the people of Hawaii,” said Vespucci Collective CEO and Co-founder Grant Overton. “One of our company’s primary objectives is to produce quality open-source research on hemp cultivation. We’re trying to create a more comprehensive knowledge base for farmers looking to get into the industry; think of it like a How To Guide for growing hemp in Hawaii. Beyond cultivation, the biggest limitation in getting farmers to start growing hemp is providing them a market for harvests. Raw hemp biomass usually needs to be transformed into a salable product, which is largely too expensive for the average farmer. It is our company’s vision to build the necessary manufacturing infrastructure here in the Hawaiian islands to enable other farmers to get involved. Developing a system that allows any farmer access to this opportunity is the driving force behind our planned operations,” he added.

    World-Class Speaker Line-up

    World-class speakers will discuss the following topics, among others, on the Let’s Talk Hemp stage and in workshops:

    • Tropical soil cultivation techniques
    • The latest on federal and state law
    • The benefits of regenerative agriculture
    • The hottest worldwide markets including CBD
    • Seed, fiber and flower used in products
    • Department of Agriculture regulatory update

    The speaker lineup features local agricultural leaders, University of Hawaii researchers, legislators and legal experts, including:

    • Hawaii Farmers Union United President Vincent Mina, who co-owns an organically managed urban family farm, Kahanu Aina Greens, with his wife, Irene
    • Chef, farmer and farm-to-plate advocate James Simpliciano, founder of Simpli-fresh Produce, a West Maui farm cooperative where he mentors aspiring farmers, chefs and environmental engineers
    • Janel Ralph, president and CEO of Palmetto Synergistic Research, which produces a line of organically grown whole plant hemp products known as Palmetto Harmony
    • Bestselling author, filmmaker and “hemp cowboy” Doug Fine, who wrote Hemp Bound, Willy Nelson’s “best book of the year”

    Exciting Time for Hemp in Hawaii

    It is a particularly exciting time for the hemp industry in Hawaii, which launched its Industrial Hemp Pilot Program in July 2017 and granted three farmers the first licenses to grow 10 acres each of Yuma, a hemp variety from China. “I’m convinced that Hawaii is well positioned to become a leader in hemp and we’ll have many farmers applying to be licensed,” State Sen. Mike Gabbard, who introduced the legislation, said in a statement. “My vision is that we’ll one day, in the not too distant future, have a hemp cottage industry that’s the envy of the world.”

    “Hawaii’s farmers and wider economy need food independence as much as any place in the world,” said keynote speaker Doug Fine, who also is a researcher affiliated with the University of Hawaii’s hemp seed development project. “Hemp provides an opportunity for Hawaii to achieve these goals, and the Hawaii Hemp Conference will provide an opportunity to be educated by local farmers as well as worldwide hemp experts.”

    With skyrocketing popularity of hemp for food, fiber, and its therapeutic non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD, domestic production of hemp, or cannabis sativa, is reaching new heights. U.S. hemp-based product sales grew 16% to reach $820 million in sales in 2017 and is expected to surpass $1 billion in sales in 2018, led primarily by hemp-derived CBD, food, personal care and industrial products, according to the publication Hemp Business Journal – a number not lost on politicians. This past spring, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would remove hemp from the federal list of controlled substances and allow it to be sold as an agricultural crop.

    Sponsor and vendor registration is still open and limited space remains. You can apply here or contact us for more information at info@hawaiihempconference.com.

    Full-access MANA tickets for the trade show and expo, Let’s Talk Hemp speaker series and business conference, Mahalo lunch and Mālama I Ka ‘Āina Celebration Party are $299. Tickets for the trade show, expo hall, Let’s Talk Hemp speaker series and business conference are $199. Tickets to the trade show and expo hall are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the expo. Tickets are available here.

    About the Hawaii Hemp Conference

    The Hawaii Hemp Conference is produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, a division of WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO, and producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s largest and most comprehensive trade show and conference for industrial hemp. WAFBA is founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services and the Colorado Hemp Company. Areas of focus include product and brand development, event production, consulting and advocacy. Learn more at HawaiiHempConference.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter.