WAFBA Announces a Pause for 2023 Southern Hemp Expo in Nashville
SHE became dominated by Delta-8 and other intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids popular in areas where adult-use cannabis is not legal.
LOVELAND, Colo. (April 18, 2023) -- WAFBA -- We Are For Better Alternatives, the umbrella organization that hosts and produces NoCo Hemp Expo, Southern Hemp Expo, Hawaii Hemp Conference, Winter Hemp Summit and other hemp-centric conferences, trade shows and events -- is going to pause the 2023 Southern Hemp Expo. The Southern Hemp Expo, aka SHE, launched in 2018 in Nashville as the sister show to NoCo Hemp Expo, the most comprehensive hemp exposition and trade show on the planet.
SHE was a highly successful event in both 2018 and 2019 but was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. SHE moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2021 and back to Nashville in 2022. Both shows struggled to regain the momentum that the hemp industry had prior to the pandemic and both shows ended up being dominated by the rise in the intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid category, including Delta-8, HHC and other derivatives that have come to be popular with the consumer market in areas of the United States where adult-use cannabis is not yet legal.
Hemp for Health and Wellness
Both NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo were founded on the decades-long mission and mantra that hemp is for health and wellness for humans and animals and an environmental benefactor for the planet in being able to produce eco-friendly, carbon-neutral to carbon-negative materials for a variety of industrial applications. These include commercial and residential construction products, textiles, automotive components, paper and packaging, bioplastics and biocomposites, animal bedding, biochar and more.
Another long-standing mantra for the hemp industry has been “hemp does not get you high,” which was the case until the domestic oversupply of CBD biomass increased significantly in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the FDA continued to skirt its regulatory responsibilities given to the agency by Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill to regulate the burgeoning and popular CBD market. The lack of regulatory oversight kept major retailers and major consumer brands on the sidelines as well as investment money out of the industry. This in turn was a factor in the increased oversupply and the eventual development of the synthesized, hemp-derived cannabinoid market that is proliferating today. This market has opened up a variety of concerns, from consumer safety issues to state product bans as well as state legislation approving of these products, and other various regulatory murkiness around the country. To put it simply, it's a mess and extremely complicated to navigate in this new category of the hemp industry. To be clear, WAFBA, Southern Hemp Expo and its management are not in favor of "banning" or making "illegal" this new category of hemp-derived products. This category of products needs federal regulation, which we hope will occur in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
Focus on Flagship Event
With the above-mentioned confusion, complexity and the state of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, WAFBA has made the decision to focus its trade show and event energy on its flagship event, NoCo Hemp Expo, and to do everything we can to build this event as the international hub and gathering spot of hemp-based heath, wellness, nutrition, environmental, and socially impactful opportunities that can benefit humanity and the planet.
For additional information and to keep abreast of future activities and events, we encourage the industry and interested parties to subscribe to our newsletter and visit our media platform at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
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.
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Hemp in The New Year! Register Now for the 2nd Annual Colorado Winter Hemp Summit, January 16, 2020, Boulder Jewish Community Center, Boulder, CO
Hemp industry, community leaders and advocates are invited to a town hall-style summit to recap the hemp industry’s growth and share 2020 market projections and chart a course for future growth
2nd Annual Colorado Winter Hemp Summit
When: Thursday, January 16, 2020, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Boulder Jewish Community Center, 6007 Oreg Ave., Boulder, CO 80303 (map)
Register HERE: Tickets are $99 each.
Boulder, CO (January 8, 2020) – Interested in learning more about the ever-changing hemp-derived products industry? The Colorado Hemp Company, producer of the 7th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, is inviting hemp industry advocates, manufacturers, farmers and the community to its 2nd Annual Winter Hemp Summit on Thursday, January 16, 10 am – 5 pm, at the Boulder Jewish Community Center in Boulder, Colorado. Experts will discuss the state of the hemp industry in a town-hall style meeting and provide insight into hemp’s growth in the past year and what to expect in 2020. Keynote speakers will address hemp regulations and market projections to advancement and certification processes.
The Winter Hemp Summit is the run-up event to the 7th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo (NoCo 2020), scheduled for March 26-28, 2020, at the National Western Complex in Denver. Produced by the Colorado Hemp Company, as well, NoCo 2020 – the world’s largest gathering of hemp industry professionals under one roof – is expected to draw nearly 20,000 visitors. Setting the stage for this highly anticipated trade show and conference, the Winter Hemp Summit kicks off the New Year with the latest market research, forecasts, policy updates and news related to the 2020 growing and production season. View the sizzle reel HERE.
Notable Industry Speakers
The Winter Hemp Summit will feature industry experts including Patrick Goggin from Hoban Law Group; Hollis Glenn, Colorado Department of Agriculture; Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics; and Steven Taormina, NSF International. Their expertise will help clear the air on the FDA and USDA”s messaging, along with identifying opportunities for future growth in the industry.
“The Colorado Winter Hemp Summit is a premier event that kicks off the New Year with high level speakers and experts. We are encouraging everyone in the region to attend this event to help chart a course for the hemp industry,” says Morris Beegle, Producer of the Winter Hemp Summit and NoCo Hemp Expo. “The timing is now for the hemp industry to remain proactive on all fronts. The Winter Hemp Summit sets the stage for discussions about the opportunity to co-create an industry built on authenticity, transparency, entrepreneurship, innovation, diversity, equal opportunity and cooperation.”
Colorado Winter Hemp Summit 2020 Program Schedule
10:00 am – Doors Open & Registration
11:00 am – Welcome – Morris Beegle & Rick Trojan
11:10 am – 2019 Year in Review and 2020/2021 Looking Forward Policy/Lobbying: FDA, USDA, DEA – State & Federal Regulations
– Garrett Graff, Hoban Law Group
– Patrick Goggin, Hoban Law Group
– Shawn Hauser, Vicente Sederberg
– Cindy Sovine, Sovine Consulting
– Samantha Walsh, Tetra Public Relations – Moderator
12:15 pm – Colorado Hemp Advancement & Management Plan (CHAMP Overview)
– Brian Koontz, State of Colorado Department of Agriculture
– Adam Orens, MJ Policy Group
– Hollis Glenn, State of Colorado Department of Agriculture – Moderator
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Networking Luncheon
2:00 pm – The Business Challenges of Farming Hemp Genetics, Cultivation, Harvesting, Drying, Processing & Getting Contracts
– Joe Hickey, Halcyon Holdings
– Bill Billings, Colorado Hemp Project
– Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics
– Russell Orsborn, Bija Hemp
– Tim Gordon, Functional Remedies – Moderator
3:00 pm – The Path to Getting Hemp Products Certified Organic, Kosher and Other Certifications
– Steve Taormina, NSF International
– Rabbi Yehuda Goldman, EarthKosher
– Annie Brown, Rodale Institute
– Steve Hoffman, Compass Natural – Moderator
3:40 pm – Where the Market is at and Where is it Going Market/Investment Overview & Recap – Patrick Rea, Canopy Boulder
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Healthy Hempy Networking Happy Hour
Ticket & Event Information: Winter Hemp Summit & NoCo Hemp Expo
Tickets are on sale now for the 2nd Annual Winter Hemp Summit for $99.00 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit https://winterhempsummit.com/.
Register now and purchase tickets HERE for NoCo Hemp Expo, March 26-28, 2020.
For a complete list of sponsors and supporters visit the Winter Hemp Summit website.
About Colorado Hemp Company
The Colorado Hemp Company, producer of the 2nd Annual Winter Hemp Summit and 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, prosper, 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
Legal Experts Weigh In on USDA Interim Final Hemp Rule
Originally Appeared in Let’s Talk Hemp Newsletter, November 2019
By Steven Hoffman
As USDA seeks comments by December 30 for its new Interim Hemp Rule that lays out regulations to establish a U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, a major concern is the rule’s timeline for farmers getting their plants tested to make sure they don’t exceed the maximum allowed level of THC.
The challenge is the rule requires that the plants be tested within 15 days before harvest begins. The USDA says if farmers delay harvest beyond 15 days, the plants will likely have a higher THC level than the sample. If the level exceeds 0.3%, the plants will have to be disposed of under Drug Enforcement Administration regulations because the hemp would be considered a controlled substance. But the 15 days aren’t much time to submit the plants and get the results needed to know whether it’s OK to harvest the crop, Michael Bowman, a co-founder of First Crop, a public benefit company working with hemp farmers, told the Denver Post. “I would call it unworkable at this point,” Bowman said of the provision.
Meghana Shah, a co-leader at the New York City office of Eversheds Sutherland law firm, told the Denver Post, “It doesn’t address the fact that all of the sampling and testing is essentially happening around the same time for all of the producers. There’s uncertainty as to when the results will come back and how that affects a producer’s decision to actually harvest. There are a lot of sort of logistical and practical hurdles posed by the 15-day window with not a lot of answers. That is one of the areas where USDA sought comment, so I think we can expect to see it addressed during the comment period,” Shah added.
According to USDA, the draft hemp rule outlines provisions for USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of hemp. It also establishes a federal plan for producers in states or territories of Indian Tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved plan. The program includes provisions for maintaining information on the land where hemp is produced, testing the levels of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, disposing of plants not meeting necessary requirements, licensing requirements, and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the new part. The rule will become effective when it is published in the Federal Register. Comments received by December 30, 2019, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.
To help producers and businesses make sense of USDA’s draft Hemp Rule, a number of law firms and legal experts specializing in industrial hemp have published opinions, analyses and client alerts about the impact and key takeaways of the draft rule. Read more here for a sampler of recent legal analyses covering USDA’s new interim hemp rules.
To date, USDA has received over 800 comments on the draft rule to establish a domestic hemp program. Read the USDA Interim Final Rule here. To submit a comment, visit here. Comments received by Dec. 30, 2019 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.
Learn more about the state of the industrial hemp market at the upcoming Winter Hemp Summit, Jan. 16, 2020, in Boulder, CO, and the 7th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo in Denver, March 26-28, 2020.