Policy, Politics and the Natural Products Industry – Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Compass Coffee Talk, Nov. 16, 11:30 am EST
Policy, Politics and the Natural Products Industry – Colorado Governor Jared Polis on the Next Episode of Compass Coffee Talk, Nov. 16, 2022, 11:30 am EST
October 4, 2022
Leading podcast Compass Coffee Talk on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 11:30 am Eastern Standard Time, welcomes Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a longtime advocate for organic and regenerative food and agriculture, for a discussion of his and the state’s support for entrepreneurship, the natural products industry and sustainable business.
What: Compass Coffee Talk™️
When: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, 8:30 am PST; 9:30 am MST; 10:30 am CST; 11:30 am EST
Where: ZOOM, Admission Is Free
Presented by: Compass Natural, Connecting Media and Markets in Natural and Organic Products
Sponsored By: INFRA, Presence Marketing, Naturally Boulder, Naturally New York and Naturally San Diego
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
About Governor Jared Polis
Prior to being elected Governor in 2018, Jared Polis began his career as an entrepreneur. While still in college, he co-founded American Information Systems, an internet access provider that was sold in 1998. In 1996, he co-founded one of the first Internet greeting card websites, bluemountain.com, which was sold in 1999 for $780 million in cash and stock.
As a public servant, Jared has brought a unique business perspective to his role as a policymaker. Before beginning his term in 2019 as the state’s 43rd governor, Polis launched and ran several successful companies, founded schools for at-risk students and new immigrants, served from 2001 to 2007 on the State Board of Education; he also served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District from 2009 to 2019. As governor, Polis has been a practical leader guiding the state through the pandemic. He is a dedicated advocate for the state’s economy, communities and environment, and is a strong proponent of the state’s burgeoning natural products industry, the cannabis and hemp industry, and climate-resilient, regenerative agriculture.
Governor Polis has appeared and spoken at a number of conferences and events focused on natural and organic products business, including for Naturally Boulder, and he has been featured as a keynote speaker at the annual NoCo Hemp Expo. He has long been a supporter of hemp, announcing in summer 2021, upon implementation of the state hemp plan, that “Colorado is the undisputed leader in the cannabis industry, and our hemp plan is a model for the country.”
Polis further noted: “Hemp is a versatile crop, an economic engine that supports jobs and our agriculture industry. We look forward to seeing how hemp can be further developed for fuel, food, and other uses while being a source of revenue for family farms.”
Just recently, the state’s Department of Agriculture awarded over $600,000 in hemp processing grants to several Colorado hemp businesses in an effort to further support and innovate the fast-growing sector.
Governor Polis is also leading the way in his support for renewable energy adoption and water conservation throughout Colorado. He has set a goal of 100% renewable energy for the state by the year 2040. Polis is focused on electrifying cars, buses and trucks for cleaner air and better public health, as well as on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from a top polluting sector. Colorado has already taken steps to move to electric public vehicles.
In August, Polis signed House Bill 22-1301, which will use hydroponic indoor farming for controlled environment growing year-round in Colorado, using less water than traditional agriculture. Governor Polis said upon signing the bill that he had seen the future of agriculture and “it’s a more sustainable future, which it has to be when we’re having these tough discussions about the Colorado River Compact and the changing nature of water in the West.”
“We are particularly excited about hosting Governor Polis on Compass Coffee Talk. It’s our final episode of the 2022 season, and we’re grateful for the support of such distinguished guests as Governor Polis, our sponsors, and our viewers and listeners,” said Steven Hoffman, Managing Director of Compass Natural and co-host of Compass Coffee Talk. Hoffman also served on Governor Polis’ Inaugural Planning Committee in December 2018, helping to select candidates for cabinet-level positions.
Register Here for Compass Coffee Talk with Governor Jared Polis
Register here to participate in the upcoming Compass Coffee Talk, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, 11:30 am – Noon EST.
About Compass Coffee Talk™️
Compass Coffee Talk™ features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes to succeed in the marketplace. Hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman, Compass Coffee Talk is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading public relations, branding, and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry.
Previous Episodes of Compass Coffee Talk
View the entire library of Compass Coffee Talk episodes on YouTube. Co-hosted by natural products industry veterans Steven Hoffman and Bill Capsalis, Compass Coffee Talk has featured notable professionals such as John Mackey, CEO and Co-Founder, Whole Foods Market; Miyoko Schinner, CEO and Founder, Miyoko’s Kitchen; John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm; Emerald-Jane Hunter, Founder of the MyWhy Agency; Heather Terry, CEO of GoodSAM; Milton Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Presence Marketing; and more.
Compass Coffee Talk Episode 24 - David Bronner Leads Conversation on Sustainable Supply Chains, Psychedelics, and Hemp
David Bronner Leads Conversation on Sustainable Supply Chains, Psychedelics, and Hemp
Popular podcast Compass Coffee Talk focuses on Dr. Bronner’s “All-One” legacy, the company’s commitment to regenerative organic agriculture, and the potential of psychedelics.
Wednesday, May 18, 12:00pm – 12:30pm EST
Zoom, Admission is Free
David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO), Dr. Bronner's
David Bronner, the Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner's, North America’s top-selling natural brand of soaps and creators of organic body care and food products, joins Compass Coffee Talk on May 18 for a conversation about legacy, sustainability, and successfully pushing the boundaries in business.
Under David’s guidance, the company is driven by six cosmic principles inspired by founder Emanuel’s “All-One” philosophy: “Work hard and grow; do right by customers; treat employees like family; be fair to suppliers; treat the earth like home; and fund & fight for what’s right!”
David led sustainability in the natural products industry by making Dr. Bronner’s one of the first body-care brands to formulate with hemp seed oil in 1999. Dr. Bronner’s continues to push the hemp industry forward as a purchaser of hemp seed oil grown in North America.
Today, David is a champion of the Regenerative Organic Certified™ standard that addresses soil health, animal welfare and fair labor practices to advance sustainable and ecological alternatives to industrial agriculture. Dr. Bronner’s donates at least ⅓ of profits annually in support of charitable and activist projects around the world with a focus on their core causes: Regenerative Organic Agriculture, Animal Advocacy, Community Betterment, Criminal Justice Reform, Drug Policy Reform, and Fair Pay & Fair Trade.
About David Bronner
David Bronner is Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America and producer of a range of organic body care and food products. Under David’s leadership, Dr. Bronner’s holds the status of second highest scoring B Corp in the world among companies dedicated to positive social and environmental impact over the profit motive. David was born in Los Angeles, California in 1973 and earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University. He is a dedicated vegan and enjoys surfing and dancing late into the night. He currently lives in Encinitas, California.
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.
VIEW OUR PAST COMPASS COFFEE TALK EPISODES ON YOUTUBE.
Compass Coffee Talk Episode 22 - The Future of Hemp
The Future of Hemp
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Hemp Activist and Educator Saba Tesfay, and NoCo Hemp Expo Producer Morris Beegle Discuss the Future of Hemp.
Wednesday, March 16, 11:30 am – Noon EST
Zoom, Admission is Free
(L) Kate Greenberg, (C) Saba Tesfay, (R) Morris Beegle
Compass Coffee Talk and influential panel guests will discuss the opportunities and challenges generated by the resurgence of industrial hemp – sharing insight and innovation on March 16, 2022, ahead of Denver’s 8th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo.
"As we approach the 8th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo in Denver, I can’t be more delighted to hear the ‘big picture’ on the hemp resurgence from this panel of industry experts,” said Steven Hoffman, Managing Director of Compass Natural and co-host of Compass Coffee Talk. “Hemp is an amazing new-but-ancient resource that can generate a sustainable revolution in green products, superfoods and regenerative agriculture. Hemp holds the answer to so many contemporary problems, including our overreliance on petrochemicals,” he added.
About Kate Greenberg
Kate Greenberg has served as Colorado’s Commissioner of Agriculture since 2018. Prior to her appointment, Greenberg was the Western Program Director for National Young Farmers Coalition, where she established and grew the organization’s presence and membership across the West. Greenberg has farmed on operations across the West, managed Western policy field programs through Whitman College, and worked in natural resource education and restoration from eastern Washington to Mexico’s Colorado River Delta. She was involved in the development of the Colorado Water Plan and Colorado River Basin water policy and is a graduate of Water Education Colorado’s Water Leaders flagship course. While she currently spends much of her time traveling the state, Durango, Colorado is home.
About Morris Beegle
Morris Beegle is Co-founder and President of the We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) family of brands. Spanning education, advocacy and entertainment, Beegle engages audiences around the world through podcasts, virtual conferences and webinars, digital and print media, radio, and live events. He is an entrepreneur, business leader, and respected industry thought leader. Under the WAFBA umbrella, Beegle produces hemp-centric events including the NoCo Hemp Expo, the Southern Hemp Expo, and the Winter Hemp Summit. He also publishes the LetsTalkHemp.com media platform. WAFBA has a products division which includes Silver Mountain Hemp Guitars, maker of hand-crafted hemp guitars, cabinets and components; Tree Free Hemp Paper and Printing; and One Planet Hemp, an online merchandise store including apparel, posters and accessories.
About Saba Tesfay
Saba Tesfay is an emerging player within the hemp building sector connecting experts and citing trends. With a focus on environmental sustainability and social welfare, Saba shares our vision to fundamentally shift the attitudes and relationship towards the hemp plant to address the many issues society faces today. Saba’s direct experience and knowledge in the US and Africa evolved around applying practical solutions regarding natural resource management and education through outreach and television production. With a focus on new and emerging hemp technologies for regenerative systems, Saba served as Vice President of the US Hemp Building Association to encourage the advancement of their mission.
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.
View our past Compass Coffee Talk Episodes on YouTube.
FDA Objects to CBD Being Sold as a Dietary Supplement; Industry Leaders Speak Out
By Steven Hoffman
FDA’s recent decision to reject New Dietary Ingredient applications for full-spectrum CBD from Charlotte’s Web and Irwin Naturals casts a cloud of market uncertainty; passage of Congressional legislation is only option, say industry leaders
Despite months of diligent communications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the submission of volumes of data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of full-spectrum, hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), FDA in a letter posted on August 10 rejected two New Dietary Ingredient notification (NDI or NDIN) applications for CBD submitted by pioneering CBD brand Charlotte’s Web and leading natural supplement brand Irwin Naturals.
The decision, based on the agency’s 2020 ruling to treat CBD as a drug, casts a continuing cloud of uncertainty over the market for dietary supplements and functional food and beverage products made with hemp-derived CBD. FDA’s objection only adds to consumer confusion and investor hesitancy, resulting in stunted market growth, say industry leaders, despite rising interest from U.S. farmers to grow hemp and from consumers in using CBD as a safe and effective dietary supplement and herbal remedy alternative.
It was a disappointing, if not surprising, decision by an agency that has historically shown an aversion to dietary supplements and cannabis-derived products, and that has been criticized for being under the outsized influence of the pharmaceutical lobby.
However, given the FDA’s continuing objection to allowing CBD to be sold as a dietary supplement, the only option left is for the hemp industry to advocate for Congressional legislative action, such as H.R. 841 in the House of Representatives and S. 1698 in the Senate, to mandate the FDA to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement and allow for the growth of the emerging hemp-derived CBD market. See U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s legislative guide to take action.
Writing in New Hope Network, Rick Polito reported, “The agency had signaled willingness to work with brands via the NDI process, but in the end appeared intent on delivering a predetermined verdict that CBD, whether as an isolate or as a component of a full-spectrum hemp supplement, is legally identical to the CBD compound as used in Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy. The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act ‘exclusionary clause’ holds that supplements cannot contain pharmaceutical ingredients.”
“Why did the FDA put them through the months of doing this dance back and forth?” Steve Mister, CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, asked New Hope’s Polito, emphasizing that Irwin Naturals and Charlotte’s Web were diligent in the NDI process.
“The FDA’s absence, in all measurable forms of leadership, has not only left the CBD market unregulated, it has also cost the hemp industry hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars in lost revenue and investments, and created obstructive barriers and bottlenecks throughout the entire hemp supply chain,” said Morris Beegle, President of We Are for Better Alternatives and producer of NoCo Hemp Expo.
Read on to hear what Charlotte’s Web and other hemp industry leaders and advocates had to say in response to FDA’s decision.
Charlotte’s Web Official Statement
“Today the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published an “objection” to Charlotte’s Web’s New Dietary Ingredient notification (NDI) submitted for our full spectrum hemp extract (FSHE), due largely to its drug preclusion provision. This response from the FDA indicates to Charlotte’s Web that without legislation by Congress, this market will remain unregulated…
Over the last 18 months, Charlotte’s Web collaborated with the FDA, providing information about the cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, use and safety behind our proprietary FSHE with naturally occurring levels of CBD. We also supplied research evidencing our FSHE to be different from purified CBD in isolate form which is an FDA-approved drug.
The FDA letter asserts that a FSHE cannot be used in dietary supplements because it is precluded and expresses safety concerns. Regarding safety, the conclusions drawn by the FDA do not appear to be based on the data provided in our NDI application … We requested the FDA correct the record to reflect that data…
The FDA objection to the NDIN does not impact the existing business operations of Charlotte’s Web but does provide useful guidance about what’s required to secure a regulatory framework for FSHE as a dietary supplement.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate introduced bills that would legislate hemp CBD as a dietary supplement. We believe this legislation is a critical step to protect consumers and to establish guidance for manufacturers, and Charlotte’s Web intends to stay at the forefront of these efforts. Our vertically integrated supply chain and category leadership uniquely position us to work effectively with Congress, and the FDA, to ensure this critical path forward for the hemp industry.”
See Charlotte’s Web’s full statement here.
Jonathan Miller, General Counsel, U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Member-in-Charge, Frost Brown Todd, Washington, DC
“There has been general support for our legislative efforts at U.S. Hemp Roundtable, but there have been some holdouts saying, ‘Let’s give the FDA time to sort it out.’ But this latest NDIN rejection puts that argument to bed. The FDA is clearly not going to take steps to regulate CBD unless Congress tells it to do so. FDA’s objection makes it clear that our top priority is securing passage of legislation such as H.R. 841 and S. 1698.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is deeply disappointed to witness FDA’s rejection of two dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs) recently submitted for full-spectrum hemp extracts. FDA’s actions send a discouraging message to the entire hemp and CBD industry, especially in light of the fact that these firms provided more than ample safety data and cooperated with FDA’s requests throughout the process.
When held to the same regulatory standards as other dietary supplements and food ingredients, hemp-derived CBD products have a strong safety profile; the dangers to consumers are only posed by the unregulated marketplace that FDA continues to propagate. This should be a clarion call to Congress that it is time to step in and pass legislation to ensure that CBD products are held to the same standard as all dietary supplements and food ingredients, and to reject an NDIN-only path.
It’s been more than two and a half years since hemp was legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill, and without congressional intervention, the hemp farming industry will continue to struggle, and consumers stand to lose as well.”
See U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s legislative guide to take action.
Janel Ralph, CEO, RE Botanicals and Founder, Harmony CBD
“It is mind blowing to me that FDA is asking us to prove that something is safe when it’s never been proven to be unsafe. It’s FDA’s job to prove it’s unsafe, and it hasn’t been able to do that. The agency claims it’s a drug. Well, at what dose is it a drug? Epidiolex is like 300 mg a day, while full-spectrum supplements are like 25-50 mg a day. FDA could legally make an exemption, but it is choosing not to.
On a personal note, my child Harmony, who was born with Lissencephaly or smooth brain syndrome, has been taking CBD every day of her life for the past seven years. She gets tested regularly for liver enzymes and it has never once affected her liver, yet it has significantly alleviated her suffering from seizures.
At the end of the day, CBD is improving people’s lives across the country and it should be available to everyone as a supplement. FDA needs to start looking at CBD differently. If FDA is going to block something that benefits people, that’s a problem.”
Rachael Rapinoe, CEO and Co-founder, MENDI Co.
“FDA’s objection results in further disconnection from hemp brands, consumers and the education needed to progress the industry as a whole. It shows many of us that the FDA isn’t prioritizing CBD products and bringing a clear path forward in a timely manner. The implications will result in continued confusion and discontinuity of language between brands in the industry.
The FDA is making it increasingly difficult to properly educate and protect consumers from the various types of products on the market and the benefits associated with them. Education is the key to progress and we need the full support of the FDA and medical community if we want to see this industry and its consumers mature.
We will continue to operate in highly restricted grey zones, which is very frustrating. We have a lot research and education to pull real data to educate and empower consumers in the industry. As a brand, we want to protect the public from harmful or dangerous products and guide them in directions that will be more beneficial to their long term health. Also as a brand, we would like to operate in the same capacity as other CPG companies.”
Michael McGuffin, CEO, American Herbal Products Association
“Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) replied to two separate new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs) submitted for ingredients identified as ‘full-spectrum hemp extracts,’ one filed by Charlotte’s Web, Inc., and the other by Irwin Naturals. In its responses, FDA informed both companies that the subject ingredients ‘cannot be used in dietary supplements pursuant to the dietary supplement exclusion provision in 21 U.S.C. § 321(ff)(3)(B)’ on the basis that each qualifies as a ‘CBD product.’
Significantly, the Charlotte’s Web, Inc., ingredient has a cannabidiol (CBD) content of 19.5 mg per serving, and the Irwin Naturals ingredient has a proposed serving limit of approximately 65 mg/day of CBD. In addition, the agency identified ‘concerns about the adequacy of safety evidence’ included in these notifications ‘as a basis for concluding that a dietary supplement containing [the NDI] will reasonably be expected to be safe when used under the conditions’ described in the notifications.
We are fast approaching the three-year anniversary of the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, which reflected the decision by the U.S. Congress to support farmers and consumers by establishing a lawful process for production of hemp, which was broadly defined to include the cannabinoids in hemp, including CBD. But ever since FDA has relied on the cited exclusion provision to keep dietary supplements that contain any amount of CBD in a regulatory gray zone, even though the agency already has authority to create a lawful framework for marketing such products.
No one who has been paying attention to this matter should be in the least surprised to see FDA restate its position in these letters. At the same time, it is disappointing and represents another missed opportunity for the agency to bring clarity to the marketplace while using its existing resources to protect the health of the many Americans who already use hemp-derived products.
There are several bills now pending in the U.S. Congress that would resolve this matter and that are supported by the American Herbal Products Association and other organizations who are seeking a resolution that will simultaneously protect the public and the trade. FDA’s NDIN responses should sharpen the focus of all who share such a goal.
At the same time, FDA’s pointed attention to the content of these two NDINs should not surprise any experienced reviewer of the over one thousand such notifications submitted over the past 25 years, and the agency’s replies should be familiar in their scope and tone. Even if Congress acts to remove the current legal barriers to CBD-containing hemp products, companies that intend to bring a new CBD ingredient to market will need to meet the very high standard established for NDINs. In establishing this standard, it is not uncommon for FDA to identify its own specific safety concerns in its response to an initial notification, and the agency often lays out a roadmap for following up with more safety information – as it did for these two full-spectrum hemp extract submissions. These two companies and others who plan to follow their leadership would be well served to study these letters in detail.”
Asa Waldstein, Principal, Supplement Advisory Group; Chair, AHPA Cannabis Committee
“Conducting studies to prove safety is an important part of responsible herbal commerce and Charlotte’s Web should be commended for its time and financial investment. Charlotte’s Web makes the case that a naturally occurring CBD is different from the CBD isolate used in Epidiolex. The FDA comments highlight the agency’s position that any CBD-containing product, including a full-spectrum hemp extract, is not a lawful dietary ingredient due to the Epidiolex drug preclusion provision.
FDA states the Charlotte’s Web (products) are ‘carefully designed to ensure consistent levels of CBD, and that it is produced from your proprietary cultivar (CW1AS1) hemp plants that provide robust levels of CBD.’ FDA’s case here is even though CBD isolate is not added to the products, they still are designed with CBD content in mind. This is a conundrum, as process control and label accuracy are part of dietary supplement regulations. This discussion is further complicated by state requirements in West Virginia and Utah which require CBD content to be listed on the label.
My concern is the FDA response may inadvertently send a ‘do not proceed’ message to companies on the fence about conducting safety studies. I implore companies to continue to add proving product safety into their budgets and strategies.
During this regulatory holding pattern, I suggest companies continue to collect product safety data, as future regulation will likely include a safety component. Acting like a reputable dietary supplement company is the best way forward for hemp-CBD companies. This includes investing in safety studies, but also CFR 111 & 117 compliance, food facility registration, lot number traceability, recall procedures, adverse event reporting, and common allergen labeling.”
Sander Zagzebski, Attorney and Co-leader of Clark Hill LLP’s Cannabis Industry Team
• What does FDA’s objection mean?
“As a technical matter, it means that the person filing the notice (Charlotte’s Web, Inc.) does not have FDA approval to use the dietary ingredient listed in their notification (full spectrum hemp extract) in food products”.
• Why Now?
“The hemp/CBD industry has been operating in a gray area under federal law. While the Farm Bill has legalized certain hemp and hemp derived products, including CBD isolates and full spectrum CBD extracts, under certain circumstances, it is an exaggeration to say the Farm Bill “legalized CBD” in a wholesale fashion. One of the big questions relating to hemp-derived CBD products generally is whether and to what extent manufacturers can include hemp-derived CBD products in food and beverage products that are generally regulated by the FDA. I’m guessing Charlotte’s Web was hoping the FDA under the new Administration would provide some clarity on this issue for the hemp/CBD industry in general and for Charlotte’s Web in particular. By way of background, the law provides that active ingredients in approved pharmaceutical products cannot be sold as dietary supplements in other products. One of the policy purposes behind this law is to encourage companies to undertake the considerable time and expense necessary to get FDA approval for a new pharmaceutical product. If competitors were allowed to sell the active ingredient to a new pharmaceutical product as a dietary supplement, it obviously dilutes significantly the economic benefit of winning FDA approval for a new drug and acts as a strong disincentive to go through the FDA’s drug approval process. When the FDA approved the drug Epidiolex, which is a CBD oral solution for the treatment of epilepsy, that action meant that the active ingredients of Epidiolex, including the CBD compound, could not then be classified as an approved dietary supplement under the law. Left unclear, however, was whether the exclusion would apply only to the specific CBD chemical compound in Epidiolex, or whether it would be applied more broadly to other CBD compounds including ‘full spectrum’ CBD.”
• What was Charlotte’s Web’s objective in applying to the FDA?
“It is likely that Charlotte’s Web was hoping to get clarity on the FDA’s position regarding CBD and to get the FDA’s blessing that, at a minimum, a “full spectrum” hemp-derived CBD products (as opposed to the specific CBD isolate in Epidiolex) would qualify as a permitted dietary supplement.”
• What are the implications going forward re: FDA’s policy toward CBD?
“The broader implications are so far unclear. The hemp-derived CBD industry has existed in this regulatory gray area regarding the FDA for some time, so one could argue that nothing really has changed. On the other hand, the FDA had an opportunity to do the industry a favor, and it declined to do so. Although I don’t have a crystal ball, I think it is likely that the FDA will continue to focus most of its enforcement energy on suppliers that make what the FDA considers to be unsubstantiated health claims, since that doesn’t involve any significant change in their policy stance from the prior Administration. Most federal agencies are loathe to make major policy adjustments when they don’t have a Senate-approved leader at the helm. Since the FDA is currently operating under an Acting Commissioner, it seems a safe bet that the FDA won’t make a major policy decision regarding hemp or CBD until it has its Senate-approved leader.”
• How does that impact companies, consumers and the market?
“In the immediate term, the impact is probably insignificant. The industry had hoped for some clarity, which the FDA has declined to give it, but otherwise the status quo will continue. That said, the industry will have to digest the fact that the FDA hasn’t gone away, and that legislative action is probably necessary to clear the air.”
• What will it take for FDA to allow for and regulate CBD as a safe ingredient in supplements and food and beverage products?
“It is possible that a new FDA Commissioner will, once confirmed, decide to take a more permissive approach to the industry. Absent direction from the top, however, it feels like the career bureaucrats in the FDA do not want to be put in the position of having to make these policy decisions. So legislative action is probably inevitable, eventually.”
• What actions can hemp industry leaders and advocates take to support free access to CBD products in the dietary supplements market?
“Given the regulatory ambiguity, industry leaders would be well advised to be cautious in how they market their products and to be rigid in otherwise complying with all applicable rules and regulations.
• What other comments would you add?
“One coda to this response: The maker of Epidiolex, GW Pharmaceuticals, was sold to Jazz Pharmaceuticals for $7.2 Billion. While GW undoubtedly had other products in the pipeline, the press release announcing the deal describes Epidiolex as GW’s ‘lead product.’ So FDA approval is big business.”
# # #
CBD: Consumers Crave Science, Information
This article originally appeared on https://www.letstalkhemp.com/
By Steven Hoffman
Based on a comprehensive consumer survey published in 2020 of 4,000 U.S. consumers plus another 1,000 consumers in Canada, healthy lifestyles research firm Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) found that people are eager and interested in exploring the medicinal value of CBD.
According to NMI’s 2020 North American Cannabis Market Opportunities and Challenges Report, 18% of the U.S. adult population (46 million consumers) say they have personally used CBD products in the past six months.
“Consumers don’t know a lot and they want to learn more,” said Diane Ray, NMI’s Vice President of Strategic Innovation. “Right now, they’re getting information from articles online and family and friends. It doesn’t appear that a lot of authoritative sources are connecting with consumers to provide them with reliable information. It could also be that resistance from social media companies may be a factor in limiting information,” Ray observed.
“There’s an underlying desire to get healthier. People want to believe in the promise of CBD and they want to know how to tap into its benefits. However, the data indicates the industry isn’t educating enough. We see an influx of people experimenting and dabbling with CBD products – from dietary supplements and functional food and beverage to personal care – but that could flatten unless science comes into play more. The market is craving reliable science,” Ray said.
While an older generation in their 60s and 70s are turning to CBD products for pain management – in particular, CBD gummies are number one in terms of consumer choice, according to NMI data – Ray noted that a younger generation, including Millennials and the “i-gen” (the 18-25 age group) are among the most stressed, and they turn to CBD products for anxiety and relaxation.
“Consumers are slowly navigating the puzzle of dosage, quality, etc., to find out what products work for them and fit in their budget,” Ray said. “In the long term, they want to get it where they get everything else, but in the near term, they are looking for education and expertise, and for that they are going to specialty stores, including dedicated CBD stores, dispensaries, drugstores, the internet and natural food stores,” Ray noted.
Natural Marketing Institute identifies five consumer segments that are grouped along the lines of differentiated health attitudes, behavior and psychographics. They include:
Well Beings® – 26%
• Most health pro-active
• Leaders & influencers
• Most multi-cultural
Food Actives® – 14%
• Mainstream healthy
• Basics & balance
Magic Bullets® – 20%
• No healthy lifestyle commitment
• Managers vs. preventative
Fence Sitters® – 23%
• ‘Wannabe’ healthy
• Stressed, want control
• Multi-cultural segment
Eat, Drink & Be Merrys® – 17%
• Least health active
• Taste over health
For more information on the 2020 USA/Canada Whole Cannabis/Whole Health study, visit here.
Hemp-derived CBD Industry to Congress and FDA: “Regulate CBD as Dietary Supplements Now”
This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s July 2021 Industry Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) at a press conference on June 18th in Denver called on members of Congress in Colorado and in states across the country to support national legislation that would call on the FDA to regulate CBD like any other dietary supplement.
With approximately 100 people in attendance in person and online via Zoom at its spring 2021 membership meeting held at the Denver History Museum, USHR underscored its lobbying efforts by announcing the launch of Regulate CBD Now, an online campaign to encourage industry members and citizens to contact their representatives about important legislation impacting consumer access to hemp and CBD products in the U.S.
According to USHR General Counsel Jonathan Miller, the hemp industry is focused on two bills that Congress is currently considering – H.R. 841 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and S. 1698 in the U.S. Senate – that would call on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement or as a food additive.
“To have CBD regulated like dietary supplements would be a game changer for the hemp-derived CBD industry,” Miller told Let’s Talk Hemp. Miller noted that in addition to allowing CBD to be regulated like dietary supplements, the Senate bill also calls for CBD to be permitted as an ingredient in food and beverage products.
According to a statement by USHR, while the FDA has recognized the significant public interest in CBD, the agency has not yet established a legal pathway for its sale.
About the Bills:
H.R. 841 – Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), H.R. 841 allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. Currently, FDA's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements. (Source: congress.gov.)
S. 1698 – Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act
Introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), S. 1698 would allow hemp-derived cannabidiol and hemp-derived cannabidiol containing substances in dietary supplements and food and beverage products. (Source: congress.gov).
In addition to USHR, the Regulate CBD Now campaign is supported by organizations including the Alliance for Natural Health, American Herbal Products Association, Citizens for Health, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Friends of Hemp, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, Hemp Industries Association, Midwest Hemp Council, National Grocers Association, Texas Hemp Coalition, United Natural Products Alliance, U.S. Hemp Authority, U.S. Hemp Building Association, Vote Hemp, We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA), and the Wisconsin Hemp Alliance.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a national advocacy organization comprising a coalition of dozens of leading companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. USHR works in partnership with national, regional, and state organizations, and helps lead the way forward for hemp and CBD products through education and action. For more information, visit www.regulateCBDnow.com and www.hempsupporter.com.
U.S. Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Legalize Sale of Hemp-derived CBD
This article originally appeared in the May 26, 2021 edition of the Let’s Talk Hemp Newsletter and Presence Marketing’s June 2021 Newsletter
By Steven Hoffman
In a bipartisan move, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on May 19 introduced S. 1698, the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act, in the U.S. Senate, a bill that would allow the sale of CBD and other hemp-derived ingredients in dietary supplements and in food and beverage products.
The Senate bill joins H.R. 841 a bill introduced in February 2021 in the U.S. House of Representatives to allow for the use of CBD in dietary supplements only. The Senate version also allows for hemp-derived CBD in food and beverage products.
According to a statement from Sen. Wyden’s office, currently, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act prohibits any new dietary ingredient, food, or beverage from entering the market if it has been studied or approved as a drug. The FDA has the authority to exempt items from this prohibition, however, the agency has yet to exempt hemp-derived CBD, despite Congressional action to legalize its production and sale.
By exempting hemp-derived CBD from the prohibition, the FDA can regulate hemp-derived CBD like all other new dietary ingredients, foods, and beverages, Sen. Wyden’s office said.
However, FDA, has stated that hemp-based CBD – or cannabidiol – cannot be lawfully marketed in dietary supplements or added to food and beverages because the compound was first studied as a drug and is currently the active ingredient in the GW Pharmaceuticals’ Epidiolex, approved by the FDA to treat certain forms of epilepsy.
According to a summary of S. 1698, the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act:
Gives hemp-derived CBD products an opportunity to lawfully be used in dietary supplements, foods and beverages under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Prioritizes consumer safety, requiring manufacturers to comply with all existing federal regulations for the products that contain CBD.
Ensures that these products are properly labeled.
The Bill text can be found here.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable encourages hemp industry members to urge their Senators to support S. 1698, the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act, and also to contact their Representatives to support H.R. 841, the Hemp and Hemp-Derived Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act. For your convenience, you can use a pre-written letter here.
The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Acthas support from the Consumer Brands Association, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Hemp Roundtable, American Herbal Products Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Vote Hemp, and the National Industrial Hemp Council. The following industry leaders submitted comments via press release, Sen. Wyden’s press announcement and direct submission:
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR): “CBD products are legally being used and produced across the nation. Yet because the FDA has failed to update its regulations, consumers and producers remain in a regulatory gray zone. It’s been more than two years since I worked with colleagues to have Congress legalize hemp and hemp-derived products. It’s long past time for the FDA to get with the program, for the sake of American consumers and farmers.”
Senator Rand Paul, (R-KY): “Hemp-derived CBD products and businesses have earned their recognition in the marketplace, but the FDA, unfortunately, hasn’t treated them like any other food additive or dietary supplement. The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act directs the FDA to regulate hemp products properly and provides a huge relief to hemp farmers, processors, and merchants.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR): “Every day that the FDA drags its feet to update its CBD regulations, hemp farmers are left guessing about how their products will be regulated, and real economic gains for workers and business owners in Oregon and across the country are left on the table. Hemp-derived CBD products are already widely available, and we all need FDA to issue clear regulations for them just like they do for other foods, drinks, and dietary supplements.”
Jonathan Miller, General Counsel, U.S. Hemp Roundtable: “We could not be more excited about the successful, bipartisan rollout of S. 1698, which is simply critical for hemp farmers and businesses,” Miller told Let’s Talk Hemp. “The hemp and dietary supplement industries are united behind the bill and we’ve also secured the support of leading food and beverage companies and organizations. What we need now is the help of the grassroots to push this bill to final passage. We encourage all hemp supporters to go to www.hempsupporter.com to send emails to their Senators, urging them to co-sponsor this vital legislation.” In addition, Miller interviewed Sen. Wyden on May 24 on U.S. Hemp TV; you can watch the interview here.
Michael McGuffin, President, American Herbal Products Association: “The leadership of Senators Wyden, Paul, and Merkley in resolving this matter is greatly appreciated. Americans deserve to have assurances that the hemp and CBD products they include in their food and dietary supplement choices are properly regulated. AHPA supports this legislation since it would clarify the lawful pathways for bringing such products to market.”
Eric Steenstra, Executive Director, Vote Hemp: “It is critical that FDA begin regulating CBD products to ensure that consumers are protected and top quality compliant producers are the only ones on store shelves. Hemp derived CBD should be regulated the same as all other food and dietary supplements and we thank Senator Wyden, Senator Paul, and Senator Merkley for their leadership and support.”
Jason Miller, N.D., Cofounder and CEO, HempFusion, and Member of the Board of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable: “We proudly endorse and commend The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act and thank Senators Wyden, Paul and Merkley for their bipartisan support. A major component of our strategic business plan has been to prepare for this day and now we are finally at the door of what will open up the CBD industry for those brands that can properly adhere to FDA’s requirements.”
Ola Lessard, Chief Marketing Officer, HempFusion, and President of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable: “While the Senate bill is more comprehensive than the previously introduced House bill H.R. 841, passage of either will provide a vast and very important boost to the hemp industry, benefitting farmers, producers, manufacturers, small and large retailers and, most importantly, consumers. The lack of clear regulation for the past several years has had devastating economic impact across many sectors. It’s also allowed fly-by-night companies to thrive, selling products that don’t meet label claims, aren’t manufactured properly, and – in some cases – are actually dangerous to consumers.”
Patrick Atagi, Board Chair, National Industrial Hemp Council: “Last year, nearly $15 billion in economic benefits were left out of the economy because CBD wasn’t regulated appropriately. If the FDA can’t act, Congress should fulfill its oversight role and pass this legislation. NIHC supports Senators Wyden, Paul, and Merkley’s recognition of hemp and CBD as an ingredient in both food and supplements, and we applaud their legislative approach to ensure that it’s regulated accordingly. This bill will deliver safe products to the marketplace and create a hemp economy that works for everyone.”
Morris Beegle, Cofounder, We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA), Producer of NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo, and Publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp: “As a producer of some of the largest industrial hemp trade shows in the world, we have to have a clear regulatory understanding of hemp-derived cannabinoids as ingredients for dietary supplements, foods and beverages. I have seen first hand over the last several years as this industry has started to take shape how the FDA’s lack of clarity and action has adversely affected the entire supply chain and created a vast amount of state-to-state patchwork regulations regarding CBD and hemp as a whole. The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act provides necessary relief to an industry that needs stability to mature. Here at WAFBA, we thank Senators Wyden, Paul and Merkley for championing the benefits of industrial hemp at the federal level, and we appreciate the broad industry support and collaboration around this proposed legislation. This cannot pass through congress and get signed by President Biden soon enough.”
Courtney N. Moran, LL.M., Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association: “We are grateful for the continued leadership of Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Rand Paul (R-KY) in advancing hemp policy, creating economic opportunities and broadening protections for our industry stakeholders. This bill is an important step forward not only for the cannabinoid sector, but for the grain and fiber sectors investing in infrastructure to open the food, animal feed, and supplements markets.”
Brian Furnish, Owner, Hempin’ Hill Farm: “I want to thank Senator Paul for being a co-sponsor of the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act. This is a much needed step in moving the hemp industry forward. This bill will clarify that hemp byproducts are treated as a food or dietary supplement. Senator Paul has been an advocate for hemp legalization since the very beginning.”
Katie Moyer, Owner, Kentucky Hemp Works: “I am so grateful for Senator Paul’s continued support of the U.S. hemp industry. This bill will take us one step further in ending the Drug War mentality and allow hemp farmers and processors to not only break even, but to flourish in their fields. Current regulations pit state and federal bureaucracies against our farmers, and I’ve never been prouder of my Senator for consistently looking for ways to get government off the farm.”
Derek Selznick, Executive Director, Kentucky Guild of Brewers: “The Kentucky Guild of Brewers would like to thank Senator Paul and all of the other sponsors of this bill. Allowing breweries to use safe products like CBD in beer allows us to continue to innovate and respond to consumer demand by offering new and unique beers. Innovation is at the core of our industry and this is one more way we can further diversify our product portfolio.”
Scott Melville, President & CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Association: “We strongly commend Senators Wyden, Paul and Merkley for their bipartisan bill which will provide a pathway for CBD to be legally marketed as a dietary supplement. A lawful regulatory pathway will provide long-term certainty in the hemp-derived CBD market and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.”
Angi Bailey, President, Oregon Farm Bureau: “We are so thankful to both Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden for their steadfast support for one of Oregon’s fastest growing agricultural crops. This important legislation will ensure consumers have access to non-intoxicating hemp and hemp derived ingredients in both food products and dietary supplements. Providing consumers with the assurance that the CBD products they are purchasing are safe and property labeled is of utmost importance to the industry.”
Dawson Hobbs, EVP, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America: “The lack of clarity on the legality of hemp-derived CBD products used in foods and beverages has been a significant source of confusion in the marketplace. America’s family-owned wholesalers are federally permitted and regulated businesses that need clarity from federal regulators regarding the legal status of CBD products. We applaud this action directing the Food and Drug Administration to affirm that CBD is legal in dietary supplements, including food and beverages. It will allow America’s wholesalers to continue providing U.S. consumers with the most diverse product selection in the world.”
Jen Daulby, SVP, Government Affairs, Consumer Brands Association: “The Consumer Brands Association commends Senators Wyden, Paul and Merkley for shining a spotlight on a product that has been a catalyst for a conflicting patchwork of state laws and regulations. Consumer Brands has long advocated for a national regulatory framework for CBD that empowers FDA to establish smart, consistent regulations and gives them the resources they need. Today’s action is a first step in delivering these much-needed regulations for American consumers.”
Photo courtesy of Let’s Talk Hemp
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Lifts COVID Restrictions in Time for Southern Hemp Expo at Raleigh Convention Center, Sept. 2-4, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Lifts COVID Restrictions in Time for Southern Hemp Expo at Raleigh Convention Center, Sept. 2-4, 2021
Governor’s executive order lifts COVID restrictions for masks and capacity limits at public gatherings
What: Southern Hemp Expo (SHE3) in Raleigh, NC, will return to “normalcy” after a new executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper who has lifted restrictions for COVID-19. (information listed below)
When: September 2-4, 2021
Where: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601
More information: Click HERE
Denver, CO (May 20, 2021) -- Networking, supply chain expansions and new hemp business connections will return full-force at the Southern Hemp Expo in Raleigh, NC, after a new executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper lifted COVID restrictions throughout the state last week.
The governor’s Executive Order 215 significantly lessens restrictions going forward into North Carolina. Effective immediately, all requirements for mask-wearing, social distancing, and wellness screenings have been removed and are no longer mandatory for events at the Raleigh Convention Center (RCC), except when more than 5,000 people are gathered in one space, said Hayley Burkhardt, Events Manager for the RCC. Even that last restriction for 5,000 attendees in one space may soon be lifted well in time for the Southern Hemp Expo on Sept. 2-4, Burkhardt said.
Open for Business, with Cleanliness and Sanitation Assured
“Covid-19 took us on a wild ride,” Burkhardt said, but the convention center was looking forward to the return of face-to-face events. The RCC will still undergo thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures, Burkhardt emphasized.
Case counts in North Carolina have dropped, and 51% of the state's residents over the age of 18 have received at least one vaccination, the governor’s office said. “North Carolinians have made great progress in getting vaccinated, and every day, more North Carolinians are protected from this deadly disease,” Gov. Cooper said in a statement Friday.
The World of Hemp, in One Location
The Southern Hemp Expo 2021 will bring a robust trade show featuring 250 exhibitors, three full days of expo hall and education including the Let’s Talk Hemp Business Conference and Farm Symposium.
Southern Hemp Expo attendees will include farmers, genetics companies, soil amendment suppliers, equipment manufacturers, hemp foods producers, pet product formulators, extraction experts, processors, lab companies, industry organizations, brands, distributors, retail and wholesale buyers, marketers, ancillary service providers and more.
Raleigh offers a unique setting for networking, business meetings and an all-in-one location designed to meet with existing and new clients. SHE3 will feature a welcome reception, gala, concert, and multiple networking parties to celebrate the reuniting of the hemp world. Check out the many features of Raleigh, NC here: https://www.visitraleigh.com/
More than 100 speakers and special keynote guests will provide the latest in green technology initiatives, natural fiber textile developments, building & construction materials, bioplastics, superfoods, cannabinoid applications and educational tracks for general consumers.
In March, the Let’s Talk Hemp Conferences welcomed thousands of guests and hundreds of exhibitors in Denver, Colorado at the National Western Complex for the 7th annual NoCo Hemp Expo as the first in-person expo after several virtual conferences held in 2020-2021.
“It’s time to get the hemp industry back on track and focused on the future so we finish 2021 on a high note, and move into 2022 with a clear understanding of the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead of us,” said Morris Beegle, president and co-founder of We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA).
Exhibit at SHE3 and Save with Early Bird Discounts
For businesses interested in exhibiting at the 3rd Annual Southern Hemp Expo, opportunities to reserve a booth and secure sponsorship are now available. Early bird discounts have been extended through May 31, 2021. Visit and apply today: https://www.southernhempexpo.com/exhibitor-info/
About WAFBA and Colorado Hemp Company
We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) is committed to researching and developing better alternatives so that hemp can once again thrive, prosper, and help individuals and communities throughout America and around the globe. The Colorado Hemp Company, producer of Southern Hemp Expo and NoCo Hemp Expo, is a leading organization for the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education, and legalization in the USA. The entire team is committed to researching and developing alternatives so that hemp can once again thrive and help individuals and communities throughout America and around the globe.
Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Morris Beegle, President of WAFBA, 970.541.0448, morris@morrisbeegle.com
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Facing Future: Farmers, Processors, and Policymakers Chart Course for Hemp in 2021 at 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit Virtual Conference & Networking Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Facing Future: Farmers, Processors, and Policymakers Chart Course for Hemp in 2021 at 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit Virtual Conference & Networking Event
We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) Kicks off the New Year with Release of Hemp Industry Opportunities Report, Insight and Trends at Virtual Series, January 14, 2021.
What: 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit Virtual Conference & Networking Event
When: Thursday, January 14, 2021, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Register HERE: Tickets are $49 each.
Denver, CO (December 21, 2020) – How does an industry chart a course for the future of hemp in uncertain times? Find out at the 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit Virtual Conference & Networking Event, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Thursday, January 14, 2021. Produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) and powered by NoCo Hemp Expo and Let's Talk Hemp, the Winter Hemp Summit is a must-attend event for the community to stay informed and plan for the future.
From the elation of 2018, when hemp was legalized across the U.S., to an uncertain market in 2020, not to mention the coronavirus pandemic, the hemp industry's road to success over the past few years has been rocky at best, but certainly no less exciting than creating an entirely new market.
With new developments in Congress, along with groundbreaking rulings in Europe and the United Nations, 2021 holds much promise for those who continue to dedicate themselves to building infrastructure and advancing the market for this remarkable plant.
“Hemp’s legacy is riding on what our community does today. As we kick off the New Year, this is a pivotal time to discuss the future that includes innovative technology and opportunities for advancement,” says Morris Beegle Let’s Talk Hemp Media Co-founder and Producer of NoCo Hemp Expo. “It’s vital to understand the new rules and regulations and how the policies will impact everyone – from the field to the manufacturing facility to the consumer."
Beegle adds the robust lineup of industry experts and leaders will provide insight into hemp’s growth in the past year, new trends, solutions in the marketplace, and what to expect in 2021.
Notable Industry Speakers
The 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit Virtual Conference & Networking Event will feature industry experts including Kate Greenberg, Colorado’s Agriculture Commissioner; Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics; and Eric Steenstra, of Vote Hemp. Their expertise will include a detailed look at the regulated market for supplements, including Bill, H.R. 8179, the Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2020, and what it means for companies.
Panelists also will define current rules and regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Attendees will receive an overview of the Colorado Hemp Advancement & Management Plan (CHAMP) and hear how U.S. grown fiber is an integral part of the specialty products' supply chain. Further discussions will include genetic development and what's on the horizon for farmers, processors, and distributors with a global perspective into 2021-2022.
For more information on the Winter Hemp Summit's agenda and additional speakers, visit https://winterhempsummit.com/.
2021 Market Report
Winter Hemp Summit attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the Hemp Industry Opportunities Report for 2021, including key pieces of knowledge needed for planning the year. (A $149 value).
Register for the 3rd Annual Winter Hemp Summit
The Winter Hemp Summit is a must-attend industry event and registration is now available online with continued viewing through January 31, 2021. Register today for a full day of programming, networking and hours of recorded hemp presentations. Tickets are $49 each: https://on.spingo.com/eh/WAFBA_Virtual.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Are you interested in sponsoring the Winter Hemp Summit? Limited spaces are available for the virtual conference and interactive networking event. Find out more by downloading our sponsor package at https://winterhempsummit.com/
About Let’s Talk Hemp Media
Let's Talk Hemp is a leading media platform that focuses on Hemp News, Lifestyle & Education. We curate news, education, and information about hemp and cannabis to our podcast listeners, newsletter subscribers, and digital magazine readers to learn more about the industry and get tips and tricks on the latest technologies. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn about everything from legal updates, farming, production, and new products entering the hemp and cannabis space. Let's Talk Hemp is a publication of the Colorado Hemp Company (a division of We Are For Better Alternatives WAFBA) focused specifically on industrial hemp and cannabis. Let’s Talk Hemp features news globally and shares the benefits of cannabis on health, energy, manufacturing, and the planet (HEMP). Subscribe to Let’s Talk Hemp’s weekly hemp and cannabis industry newsletter at www.letstalkhemp.com.
About Colorado Hemp Company
The Colorado Hemp Company, the producer of the 7th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo (NoCo7), is a leading organization for the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education, and legalization in the USA. The entire team is committed to researching and developing alternatives so that hemp can once again thrive and help individuals and communities throughout America and around the globe.
Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Morris Beegle, Colorado Hemp Company, 970.541.0448, info@nocohempexpo.com.
# # #
Founding Farmer: Ryan Loflin Talks on Hemp
By Steven Hoffman
Known as the first modern-day farmer in the U.S. to harvest an industrial hemp crop after decades of prohibition, Colorado hemp producer Ryan Loflin shares his trailblazing tale
It takes a village. At least it did in the late fall of 2013, when, lacking migrant workers who had all left for Texas for the winter, Colorado farmer Ryan Loflin put out a call on social media for his friends to help. In all, about 60 people from six states showed up to assist in the first harvest of an industrial hemp crop in the U.S. in more than 70 years.
Now, Ryan will be the first to tell you he wasn’t the first to plant industrial hemp. In that, he tips his cap to other hemp trailblazers, including California’s Chris Boucher, and South Dakota tribal leader Alex White Plume, who planted industrial hemp years before him, but whose crops were seized by government authorities before they could be harvested. Thus, Loflin’s status in the hemp community as the first modern-day farmer to harvest a crop of industrial hemp on U.S. soil.
In 2013, hemp was not quite legal yet; that didn’t happen until the 2014 Farm Bill, which allowed for moderate production, says Loflin. Speaking of the authorities who could have seized his first crop – a half-crop circle of 60 acres – “They just didn’t show up. I actually put it out on Twitter and Facebook; I was transparent, because I needed the help. People showed up from all over the country, but thankfully, the authorities didn’t,” he says.
Speaking of soil, Loflin’s third generation family farm, 900 acres in all (300 irrigated acres and 600 acres in grass and dryland), is located in Baca County, an arid, high plains region in southeastern Colorado, only 25 miles from the epicenter of the Dust Bowl that devastated farms and Western communities in the 1930s.
Organic and Regenerative Approach
For the dryness of the area, combined with Loflin’s concerns about how climate change is affecting his farm – “It’s a part of everyday life for us, now” – he has always focused on organic and now regenerative production practices that focus on rebuilding and capturing organic matter, or carbon, back into the soil.
“We practice organic and regenerative farming because we have to,” Ryan says. “We’ve been conscious of cover crops the whole time, so we never leave the soil bare during the winter, where carbon can escape into the atmosphere. We plant winter wheat, or triticale, or oats as winter cover crops,” he adds. The farm also grows sorghum, another drought-resistant grain crop, in rotation with hemp, alfalfa and other commodity crops.
Cattle, too, are an integral part of Loflin’s regenerative practices. “We let them graze in the wintered fields with either cover crop or feed stubble we leave from the sorghum.” Their manure helps add organic material back into the soil, Ryan notes.
For organic pest control, corn ear worms can be a problem with hemp flowers, and grasshoppers can be a significant problem in hemp. “There’s not much you can do, but I mix a spray of garlic and neem oils, and I ‘harass’ them out,” Loflin says.
Since his first crop in 2013, Loflin has grown up to 250 acres of hemp, but has pulled back, based on recent market conditions. “We’re thinking of planting a half-crop circle, minimum, in 2021,” Ryan shares, “but we’re still going to see where the market goes in 2021.”
Focus on Fiber
In recent years, Loflin’s farm, Rocky Mountain Hemp (www.rockymountainhemp.farm), has focused on hemp production for fiber, as well as hemp seed for food and for planting future crops.
In the fiber business, Loflin is a collaborator with Mike McGuire, owner of Western Fiber. Founded in 1976, the company offers textile fibers, hemp-based panels and insulation for the building, construction and automotive industries, animal bedding products and livestock feed.
“We’ve replaced traditional insulation materials with hemp bast and hurd – long and short fibers – and developed a process to blow that insulation into walls, floors, ceilings, etc.,” Loflin notes. “It’s a more natural and potentially safer, insulation from a renewable source,” he adds.
“We still have a lot of opportunity with the hemp industry in that it is a multi-use crop, it’s a ‘multi-dimensional’ crop,” Ryan emphasizes. We can use it for food, animal feed, housing, clothing, medicine – we are just getting started! We also need to look more seriously at building houses with this material – not just hempcrete, but making everything you see in the home out of it. In the wildfire areas of the West, we could build hempcrete homes that won’t burn. We need to change the way we think about building homes…and where,” Loflin muses.
Outlook for the Future
“In agriculture alone across the board, it’s crazy right now with tariffs and trade,” Ryan says. “For hemp farmers,” we need investment in processing and we need industry to step up – the American auto industry needs to be put on point for hemp,” Loflin opines.
While CBD helped build awareness for the hemp plant, “the all-star uses of this plant is in automobiles, composites, construction, plastics, fibers – hemp can make everything work better, and is less toxic,” he notes.
While Loflin is carefully watching how the USDA’s new rulings for 2021 will affect hemp producers, it will come down to states’ rights, he believes. “Colorado has been very supportive. In 2012, I was at the state capitol advocating for programs to use hemp for phytoremediation in contaminated sites. Today, Colorado State University offers a course in hemp production,” he adds.
“My advice for producers in 2021: keep fighting,” Loflin offers. “Don’t quit because agriculture is hard right now. It can be a high pressure lifestyle and many question whether it’s worth it, but I believe it is.”