2014's Biggest Trends in Cannabis Culture

By: William Hyde
Source: leafly.com




2014 was a big year for cannabis. It saw the birth of Washington’s recreational market, new legislation that legalized cannabis in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C., and even the first national consumer cannabis advertisement, run in The New York Times. The industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, with innovative new products and businesses sprouting up daily. New technologies are giving us a greater understanding of cannabis' therapeutic power, and we keep encountering new ways of consuming and interacting with the plant we love.

These advances are both exciting and ground-breaking, and while we aren’t quite ready to 3D print cannabis just yet, there has been a thrilling wave of cultural trends throughout the cannabis community. Here's a rundown of some notable culture trends from the past year.

Cannabis Influencing Language



In November, Oxford Dictionaries named vape their Word of the Year for 2014. While the cannabis community accepted this term long ago, the advent of e-cigarettes and the influx of the legalization movement has led to a greater acceptance of the word in the public vocabulary. Additionally, budtender was listed as a runner-up in the Word of the Year selection process, further illustrating cannabis’ influence on popular culture and the English language.

High Class Cannabis



The cannabis industry is moving out of the basement and into the upper echelon of society. Besides the high tech facilities being developed for cannabis cultivation and product production, 2014 saw the birth of mainstream events that include a connection to cannabis. The most notable would have to be Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series, a partnership between the Colorado Symphony and the state’s cannabis industry. The event series brought accepted and responsible cannabis consumption to an evening with the symphony. No longer are you limited to private, at-home entertainment while you enjoy cannabis; instead, you can don a black tie and roll some Black Dominafor an engaging, sophisticated night on the town.


Industrial Hemp Farming



2014 saw many states, like Washington, Arizona, Indiana, and Kentucky, fighting for states’ rights to legalize commercial hemp production. While medical patients and connoisseurs will celebrate the increased access to cannabis that legalization brings, many other industries will benefit from the rise in industrial hemp farming. Hemp holds great power as an affordable alternative in many industries, from paper to clothing to building materials. The strength and vigor of the fibrous cannabis plant have led to an influx in the development of exciting materials and products like hempcrete. Hemp also offers an alternative base for extracting CBD, the powerful cannabinoid used to fight epileptic seizures and other debilitating ailments. Legal hemp farming is helping to open up the conversation about legal cannabis in states that have regularly opposed the movement but are looking for financial and agricultural stimulation.


Cannabis in the Bedroom



Formerly, you either smoked cannabis or you didn’t, but now there are new ways to connect with the powerful plant. From the growing world oftopical cannabis applications comes products like Foria that deliver the stimulating effects of cannabis and are targeted towards a woman’s needs in the bedroom. The topical aphrodisiac spray claims to be non-psychoactive while heightening the arousing experience between the sheets. This is just one of the many new uses that cannabis aficionados are finding to include cannabis in all areas of their healthy, active lifestyle.


Celebrity Cannabis Endorsements



With celebrities selling everything from insurance to pistachio nuts, it was only a matter of time before they officially endorsed cannabis products to the masses. 2014 brought with it multiple announcements of celebrities endorsing proprietary strains and other cannabis-related merchandise. Comedian Tommy Chong and rapper Wiz Khalifa have both teamed up with different medical dispensaries to market strains using their name and likeness. But this appears to be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrities endorsing cannabis, as the family of Bob Marley recently announced the first global cannabis brand, Marley Natural, that will launch in 2015. Considering the public’s connection to and infatuation with celebrities, I expect this trend to continue as brands keep progressing into the mainstream.


Cannabis Food Trucks



Food trucks are all the rage these days, especially in the cannabis-friendly confines of hipster Meccas like Portland, Oregon. So, why not combine the accessibility of a food truck with the potent effects ofcannabis-infused edibles? There has been huge debate over the structure and regulation of cannabis edibles this year, but as a better understanding of the rules form cannabis food trucks are sure to take off. Magical Butter has led the charge with their SAMICH Truck that debuted on 4/20 in Colorado. SAMICH, short for Savory Accessible Marijuana Infused Culinary Happiness, serves high-end meals infused with cannabis and has been working to prove that the concept can work. I anticipate more cannabis-themed food trucks to pop up as the industry works to reposition the public acceptance towards cannabis.


Women Owned Canna-Businesses



With so many new cannabis companies opening their doors, there is a noticeable influence of female business owners. While the industry is still dominated by males, women are being applauded for the safe, approachable nature of their businesses. Many cannabis businesses take root in the medical marijuana industry, an industry known for its compassion and approachability. Women have been able to soften the shady image of the pot shop and transform dispensaries, edible companies, topicals manufacturing, and even testing labs into a more nurturing environment that allows for kindness, grace, and community outreach.


Cannabis Tourism



Amsterdam has long been the pilgrimage for cannabis tourism, but the recent changes in regulation have given way to a shift towards more accessible locations within the US. Denver and Seattle have both been inundated with the addition of travel centered on cannabis. Tasting tours and cannabis-friendly accommodations are molding cannabis tourism into a model that closely resembles high-end wine tourism, taking it from taboo to elite and normalizing the access and understanding of cannabis.

Image credit: vitafluida

Group Seeks To Put Hemp Farming On Arizona Ballot In 2016

By  KJZZ News
Source: kjzz.org

Arizona voters may get a chance to decide if farmers here can grow an industrial version of marijuana, something several other states now allow.

A group called Hemp Our World has filed the paperwork to put the issue on the ballot in 2016. Organizer Christian Carrasco says the goal is to provide a crop for farmers that can be used to produce everything from oils to fibers for paper and clothing,

“People are now starting to see that this is not about the marijuana. You can't smoke hemp. And it's grown in a totally different fashion,” Carrasco said.

The difference between hemp and marijuana is the THC content. That’s the psychoactive chemical that gets people high.

The measure would define hemp as having less than three tenths of 1 percent THC. Maricopa Attorney Bill Montgomery opposes the measure saying with just a few exceptions hemp remains illegal under federal law.

But, the idea has the backing of the agricultural community. Julie Murphree of the Arizona Farm Bureau said last month the group supported changes in both state and federal laws which treat hemp and marijuana the same way.

“If we can separate that from the federal Schedule 1 registration so that industrial hemp is separate, that would be a huge step forward for us,” Murphree said.

And the matter may not even need voter approval. A legislative proposal to make the change last year was unsuccessful, but the idea is expected to come up again when lawmakers return to the state Capitol next month.

Hemp-based skincare company develops more products

By Teresa Dovalpage
Source: taosnews.com


Kristel McKanna, from left, and Montserrat Oyanedel, co-owners 
of Nabis Naturals, with their first skin product at Ennui Gallery.

Kristel McKanna and Montserrat Oyanedel — co-owners of the skincare company Nabis Naturals —  came from the longest and narrowest country in the world: Chile.

“We studied in Valparaiso around the same time, but met here in Taos in 2010,” said Oyanedel. “And we immediately became friends … there aren’t too many Chileans around!”

McKanna’s background is in art; she studied photography, design and multimedia. She works at Taos Ski Valley and KTAOS.

Oyanedel has a degree in chemical engineering. She works at the UNM-Taos Adult Learning Center as the Spanish GED instructor. She is also the creator of the brand name Cha-Cha and makes jewelry, accessories and ceramic pieces sold at Ennui Gallery, which she co-owns.

“I like to keep active,” she said.

Reaping the benefits of a popular crop

Oyanedel and McKanna went into business together in January.

“I had been looking for a job in my field and couldn’t find any,” said Oyanedel. “That was very frustrating, but I didn’t want to move to a bigger city. I knew I had to start my own company if I wanted to stay in Taos.”

Oyanedel had been interested in moisturizers, creams and serums since she was a teenager. She researched products and ingredients and later shared the results with McKanna. After a long conversation, they decided to launch a skincare line.

“We chose a good, affordable moisturizing serum as our first product,” Oyanedel said. “Skin care is a very competitive market, but we knew we had a winner — we would use hemp seed oil as the main ingredient, not just because of the recent (and not-so-recent) popularity of hemp, but also due to the many beneficial effects that its seed oil has on the skin: it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and fights dryness as well.”

“That’s how Nabis Naturals was born,” said McKanna. “The name Nabis came from the scientific name of the plant cannabis. Of course, the serum is totally natural so it was a perfect fit.”

Oyanedel and McKanna also developed a day cream and a night cream.

“They all have the same active ingredient, hemp seed oil,” said Oyanedel. “We will continue adding new products. Our goal is to offer a complete skincare line.”

“The creams, just like the serum, are absorbed fast and can be used under make-up,” McKanna said. “They are good for all skin types.”

The two creams will be available by the end of December.

“Right on time to get them as a Christmas or a Dia de los Reyes present,” Oyanedel said.

The Taos influence

The two businesswomen say living in Taos nurtured their entrepreneurial spirits and influenced their decision to follow the organic path.

“Here people are very conscious about using natural products,” said Oyanedel. “They are very resourceful too!”

They also considered the effect of the region’s dry climate and the high UV radiation on the skin.

“We focused on developing a formula with active ingredients that offer as much protection as possible and that are also rich in antioxidants,” said McKanna. “Besides hemp seed oil, we use hyaluronic acid, Argan oil, vitamins E and B3, and rose hydrosol, among other natural components.”

“We chose rose hydrosol because it has a fresh fragrance,” said Oyanedel. “Many people have commented about the serum’s nice smell. It isn’t overpowering but you can definitely feel it. “

The most difficult task for any business that starts is getting the word out. Oyanedel and McKanna have been relying on word of mouth, but also do frequent promotions and raffles through the company’s Facebook page and website.

“We will have holiday discounts and New Year sales so people can offer their loved ones the gift of beauty,” Oyanedel said. “Keep tuned and visit our page often. We will have more details soon.”

Happy clients

Hillary McPartlon started using the serum last spring and says that her skin felt softer and less dry immediately.

“Even the color is much nicer,” she said. “I love Nabis Naturals and won’t ever stop using it.”

“I have been getting compliments about my skin since I first used the serum,” said Aida de Arteaga, a Puerto Rico native and now Taos resident. “It is easy to pack and I travel a lot, so that’s a plus. I have given it to many friends and they all were impressed. I use it twice a day and can honestly say that it has done wonders for me.”

Lisa Thompson began using the serum four months ago.

“It’s an incredible product,” she said. “After just two weeks, I noticed a difference—my skin was tighter and clearer. It has a lovely smell and feels just right. I highly recommend it.”

Where to find Nabis Naturals

The serum is available at Ennui Gallery (134 Bent St.), Taos Market (910 Paseo del Pueblo Norte), KTAOS (9 State Road 150), and Bumps (Village of Taos Ski Valley).

“We are looking for more stores interested in carrying our new inventory,” McKanna said.

What Does Marijuana Memo Mean for Hemp Production and Traditional Uses?

By Alysa Landry
Source: indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com

An article that ran inPopular Mechanicsin 1938 called hemp the “standard fiber of the world” and promised that production of this “cash crop” would reap several hundred million dollars per year.

A non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis sativa or marijuana plant, hemp could be used to make more than 25,000 products, ranging from clothing to dynamite to Cellophane. Hemp promised to “displace imports of raw material and manufactured products” and “provide thousands of jobs for American workers throughout the land,” the article stated.

Farmers made good on those promises for nearly two decades, despite concerns about hemp’s connections to marijuana. Now, nearly 70 years later, hemp may again prove to be a cash crop—for Native producers.

Advocates for hemp production are hoping a memo released this month by the federal Justice Department opens the door for legalization of hemp. The memo, originally dated October 28 and distributed to all U.S. Attorneys offices, says sovereign Indian nations can choose to grow or sell marijuana on tribal lands without fear of federal harassment.

“If the federal government is going to allow states to regulate cultivation of marijuana, they’re also saying they don’t have a problem with hemp,” said Eric Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp, a national non-profit organization advocating for a free market of industrial hemp.

“This memo is all-encompassing when it comes to the marijuana plant,” Steenstra said. “Hemp is going to be a non-issue if tribes want to reference this memo and pass regulations for hemp farming.”

The memo represents a reversal of federal strategy, at least on Native lands, when it comes to regulation of marijuana. In its memo, the Justice Department instructed U.S. attorneys to consult with tribal law enforcement offices and to focus efforts on keeping marijuana out of the hands of organized crime, away from children and out of states where it remains illegal.

The memo does not reference hemp, which was criminalized alongside marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. But it may open the door for tribes to return to traditional uses of hemp, which include the manufacture of rope, clothing, ceremonial items and medicine.

Hemp’s history, though corrupted and politicized, includes roots in Native culture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes varieties of hemp as staples for tribes across the country and southern Canada, who used the fiber to make fishing nets, storage bags anditatamator “counting the days” balls.

“From the time of her marriage, a woman would record a calendar of her life’s events by tying knots on a length of hemp as important events occurred,” states a plant guide published by the USDA. “She marked births, deaths and other extraordinary days with beads, shells or other talismans. When the ball got too large to handle easily, she started a new ball.”

Many of the hemp traditions likely changed in the early 20thcentury when the government began regulating all forms of the cannabis sativa plant.

The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 turned over the regulation of hemp products to the Department of Revenue and forced all who wanted to grow hemp to secure a license. During World War II, licensed hemp growers heeded the Army’s call and grew “Hemp for Victory,” supplying the nation with hemp after the Philippines fell to Japan.

But hemp’s popularity waned after the war and the last significant crop was harvested in 1957. Thirteen years later it was called a “controlled substance” and manufacture, use or possession was considered a crime.

That didn’t stop Alex White Plume and his family on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from fighting back. Arguing that hemp production was protected by treaty, White Plume grew 300 acres of hemp in 2000, hoping it would deliver his family from a life of poverty and violence.

After a Drug Enforcement Administration raid, however, White Plume was banned for life from cultivating hemp.

The Justice Department’s memo boosted White Plume’s optimism, he said. Now 64, he expressed hope that the ban on hemp would be lifted—if not for him, then for the rest of Indian Country.

“I won’t be growing it because I have a lifetime restraining order,” he said. “But I feel positive that the government is finally recognizing its treaties.”

In a place like Pine Ridge, where unemployment tops 85 percent, the hemp industry could help revive the economy and strengthen sovereignty, White Plume said.

“The way I see it, this could replace casinos,” he said. “I’m tired of being over-regulated. I think tribes should accept this opportunity and let the people decide how to use it.”

iMD Acquires Freedom Seed and Feed, First Federally Permitted Hemp Seed and Fiber Farm in the United States

Source: money.cnn.com

PLACERVILLE, CA, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - iMD Companies, Inc. (OTC:ICBU) is extremely excited to announce that it has acquired Freedom Seed and Feed, LLC of Lexington, KY., the first federally permitted hemp seed and fiber farm in the United States.

In accordance with the terms of the agreement, iMD has made the first $50,000cash payment to Freedom Seed and Feed (FSF).  The purchase agreement also includes the subsidiary companies Freedom Seed & Feed, Healing Ground Farms, and Freedom Hemp. iMD will also make additional cash and securities payments for a total purchase price of $1.9 million for the acquisition.

Last February, Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul successfully sponsored a provision in the farm bill, passed by Congress, which repealed the long-term ban on growing hemp. Hemp crops are poised to be a significant catalyst to the agriculture industry in the State of Kentucky with the climate and the soil composition in the Blue Grass state being very conducive to growing hemp crops. Sen. Paul stated, in an opinion article on Feb. 6 in the Lexington Herald-Leader, that 94% of the nation's hemp crops were grown in Kentuckyprior to the ban in 1970.

"This acquisition is so key for us as we were not only able to obtain a one-of-a-kind company but it also gives iMD a source that is capable of leasing land, purchasing seed, clones and the equipment needed to grow industrial hemp," saidLarry Robertson, president of iMD Companies, Inc. "The bold vision that iMD management has in common with FSF'sDavid Hadland and Michael Lewis will help expedite our entrance into the industrial hemp market."

This acquisition is in line with the company business plan, which calls for iMD management to be aggressive in its search for acquisitions that will strengthen the iMD family of companies. Freedom Seed and Feed fits the description perfectly as it has a solid revenue stream, modest expenses in addition to providing products and services required by iMD.  

About Freedom Seed and Feed:

David Hadland – Mr. Hadland is the former president of the Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association and an appointed member by the state of Kentucky to the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission. David, a leader in the effort for the last 5 years to legalize hemp, worked with the Kentucky AG Dept., Senate, House and U.S Senate & House to draft Senate Bill 50 and push for the amendment to the U.S Farm Bill. Senate Bill 50 was passed and David has been a part of the Hemp Pilot Program since its inception. David has offered to assist the institute in negotiating all R&D public/private relationships offering clients a real-time, early adopter context for identifying investment opportunities within the Industrial Hemp sector.

Michael Lewis – As the director of Growing Warriors, Mr. Lewis is a Kentucky Proud farmer and a Veteran of the 3rd US Infantry, The Old Guard. In 2012 he founded America's first Veteran Oriented food security organization, The Growing Warriors Project, to Equip, Assist, and train our nation's military Veterans in production agriculture for themselves, their families, and the nation. He served as a member of the Kentucky Industrial Hemp commission and operates Americas first federally permitted Industrial Hemp farm since 1934 with the help of his fellow Veterans.

About iMD Companies, Inc.

iMD Companies, Inc., (OTC MARKETS: ICBU) is a Florida corporation, engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of equipment for the hydroponics industry. The company has recently re-positioned to be a holding company for acquisitions in the Hydroponics industry.  Recent acquisitions in those areas are R-Quest Hydroponics Inc. from Anything Technologies Media (OTC:EXMT) and Lumz'n Blooms, Ltd., a Manufacturer of Indoor Gardening and Hydroponics Equipment. The company and the principals of the management team have extensive backgrounds in finance, manufacturing, marketing and distribution.  iMD's goal is to create and increase shareholder value by tactically growing our core Hydroponics business while strategically seeking to acquire new businesses and create other business alliances, which generate increased revenues and earnings. www.imdcompanies.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "scheduled," "estimates" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release.

SOURCE IMD Companies, Inc.

 

Hemp, Inc. to Sponsor 1st Annual Ascent Expo in Los Angeles, CA for the "Cultural Creatives"

Source: globenewswire.com

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) announced today that it is one of the major sponsors of the 1^st Annual "Cultural Creatives" Ascent Expo in Los Angeles, CA, February 27 – March 1, 2015 which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. By assembling "Cultural Creatives" from the entertainment industry, corporate America, and mainstream media, the Ascent Expo's mission is to "enjoy, learn, co-create successful ventures, cooperate in facilitating commerce, and empower each other toward a higher consciousness in solving the planet's most important social, environmental and human rights issues."

"Hemp, Inc. is proud to continue our commitment to corporate consciousness, environmentalism, philanthropy and personal empowerment through our sponsorship of the 2015 Ascent Expo," says Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc. "This is the 1st Annual Ascent Expo and we anticipate many new innovative products and successful joint ventures. The Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana industries are definitely one of the subsets of the 'Cultural Creatives' movement which we will be showcasing in the 'Hemp Zone' at the Expo."

According to executives with eWorld Companies, Inc. (PinkSheets:EWRC), "The Ascent Expo will be an extravagant 3-day event of 'Cultural Creatives' showcasing cutting-edge, forward-thinking companies, individuals and non-profit organizations committed to the principles of positive psychology and applying these principles into everyday lives and activities, with a wide range of premium products and services." eWorld Companies, Inc. (PinkSheets:EWRC), the producer of the event, expects this "meeting of the creative minds" event to draw in over 400 exhibitors… with a 40-ft red carpet for interviews. The centerstage for A-list musical talent is expected to draw in thousands alone.

The extravagant event for Cultural Creatives' (also known as the country's "forward-thinkers" and innovators who are globally aware, very green conscious and empowered philanthropists) primary goal is to help other business people. According to Ashkan Tabibnia, the event's social media manager, powerful marketing strategies have been implemented to bring in tens of thousands of attendees. The expo is expected to attract over 20,000 professionals and over 400 exhibiting companies covering over 140,000 net square feet of exhibit space in the LA Convention Center.

Hemp, Inc., as one of the major sponsors, will function as the umbrella organization for the Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana Consulting Company (IHMMCC) affiliates which include Dewmar International (DEWM), Liberated Energy (LIBE), Resource Ventures (REVI), Global Links (GLCO), VaporBrands International (VAPR), National Scientific Corp. (NSCT), and PPJ Enterprise (PPJE). North Cal Wood Products, Inc., purveyors of sustainable reclaimed lumber, will also be in attendance.

According to Perlowin, he plans to use the Ascent Expo to not only support the activities of these affiliates but to also initiate an exchange of ideas to form effective business relationships between and among both their own affiliates and other like-minded companies and organizations that will be in the Ascent Expo section dedicated to the new Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana industries.

The "Hemp Zone" will include, but will not be limited to, those mentioned above. As a major sponsor, Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) will also play a key role in the marketing and promotional activities leading up to the Ascent Expo including webinars and think tanks throughout the course of the event.

Perlowin will also highlight recent news and updates on Hemp, Inc.'s decortication plant in the "Hemp Zone" during the Ascent Expo. "Cultural Creatives" will get a chance to learn first-hand about the automated Temafa decortication line which will be used to process raw hemp and kenaf for the American farmers. The facility in Spring Hope, North Carolina that houses the commercial Temafa decortication line is the only one of its scale in North America.

The highly coveted commerical equipment would, according to Perlowin, take at least 2 years, minimum, to duplicate. "I am committed to the American farmers in producing a new clean green American Agricultural and Industrial Revolution from hemp and I'm looking forward to sharing this at the 1^st Annual Ascent Expo in California."

While North Carolina has not yet legalized hemp, the company while waiting for this to occur, will process Kenaf for the automotive, oil, textile, paper and other industries. (Kenaf, or Hibiscus cannabinus which is a plant in the Malvaceae family is a substance similar to Hemp, often called "Ambari Hemp" and "Deccan Hemp".)

"Hemp, Inc.'s (OTC:HEMP) goal is to be the leading processor of processed and raw hemp materials when it becomes legal in North Carolina," said Perlowin. There are also plans of building a GMP compliant facility for the extraction of CBDs from hemp. Perlowin's migration strategy of processing Kenaf first is expected to put Hemp, Inc. years ahead in the hemp processing industry.

According to company executives, shareholders will see more of Hemp, Inc.'s core business develop. As the decortication facility in North Carolina continues to progress through the end of 2014 and through the first quarter of 2015 and on, Hemp, Inc. executives are eagerly looking forward to bringing more hemp-based clean, green solutions to the American people. "We constantly strive to deliver value to our shareholders and we believe our efforts will position us to do just that over the long term."

The synergistic expo will put Hemp, Inc. one step further to its goal. Ascentexpo.com describes the expo as "Creative Capitalism" where conscious-oriented people connect through commerce, working and living in a way that is conscious of other people, conscious of the environment and cultures, and mending those traits in everyday business practices.

To reserve a booth at the 2015 Ascent Expo in Los Angeles, California, contact Ashley Leyva at (800) 568-EXPO.

ABOUT HEMP, INC.

Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) focuses on the vast market created by the quickly emerging, and growing, multibillion dollar industrial hemp industry. Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) is not currently involved in the cultivation or marketing of medical cannabis. (www.hempinc.com). Instead, our focus is on industrial hemp and the myriad of uses (over 25,000 products made from hemp that the hemp plant offers) in creating a new clean green American Agricultural and Industrial Revolution.

Update on Hemp, Inc.'s Decortication Plant

After months moving from its original location to its current home, the Temafa and Macintosh line of equipment, the mill and the Kenaf is 100% completely moved to our 70,000 square-foot warehouse on seven acres purchased by Hemp, Inc. Everything is now in its new facility being assembled and organized, as Hemp, Inc. sets up shop. To see a time lapsed video on the disassembly and moving of the equipment, click here. Executives anticipate the facility to be fully operational by the end of the first quarter in 2015. The bulk of Kenaf on-hand will be processed for fiber and Lost-Circulation Material (LCMs) for the drilling industry. The final tally on the 15 million pounds of Kenaf we got for free with the purchase of the machinery is 5 million pounds as the majortiy of it was not up to our standards to be worth moving to our new facility.

ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONSULTING COMPANY, INC.

The Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana Consulting Company (IHMMCC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) that pulls industry information from a vast network of specialists. IHMMCC is entrenched in all the multi-faceted opportunities in the medical marijuana and Industrial Hemp industry. (www.HempInc.com) Executives of IHMMCC are focused on its current clients.

HEMP, INC.'s TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

Hemp, Inc. (HEMP) seeks to benefit many constituencies from a "Cultural Creative" perspective thereby not exploiting or endangering any group. Thus, the publicly-traded company believes in "upstreaming" of a portion of profit from the marketing of their finished hemp goods back to its originator as an interwoven piece of nature. By Hemp, Inc. focusing on comprehensive investment results—that is, with respect to performance along the interrelated dimensions of people, planet, and profits—our triple bottom line approach can be an important tool to support sustainability goals.

About eWorld Companies, Inc.

eWorld Companies (PinkSheets:EWRC) markets and distributes cutting edge Internet technologies including its patent-pending Boomerang Media Station®, a multimedia content platform that delivers proprietary and third-party movies, music videos, and other streaming content via its state-of-the-art video player. eWorld also produces and promotes professional and lifestyle events through its subsidiary, "THE Xperience.", including the upcoming 1^st ASCENT EXPO in Los Angeles on February 27-28 & March 1, 2015. Ascent Expo, with the byline "Commerce – Innovation – Creativity", will provide a forum for "Cultural Creatives", a fast-growing new breed of forward-thinking, cutting-edge businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations committed to achieving commercial and social success while applying the principles of positive psychology to people's everyday lives and activities.

About the Ascent Expo

The 2015 Ascent Expo mission is to assemble the might of the entertainment industry, innovative corporations, moguls, influential communicators and the media to enjoy, learn, co-create successful ventures, cooperate in facilitating commerce, and empower each other toward a higher consciousness in solving our planet's most important social, environmental and human rights issues. Ascent Expo will include multiple live music performances, eye-opening information sessions, mind-expanding motivational lessons, runway fashion shows, and red carpet celebrity excitement - with numerous television shows being filmed simultaneously throughout the event.

SAFE HARBOR ACT

Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

1-855-HEMPOUT

http://www.hempinc.com

Can industrial hemp make a comeback?

Advocates in Kentucky see a land-friendly revenue stream within the legal haze

By Frank Goad

Source: lanereport.com

Industrial hemp is a hot but still complex topic these days, especially since Kentucky passed legislation in December 2013 permitting a limited number of groups – including some state universities – to grow crops for research. With an eye on world markets and the increasing amounts Americans spend on hemp products each year, many in our state want to revive this crop and capture some portion of the millions of dollars in play.

Since legalizing hemp production in 1998, Canada’s crop is expected to surpass $1 billion in value this year. Most of it is exported to the United States.

Because of laws enacted 75-plus years ago against its fraternal twin marijuana, which is restricted because is has a psychoactive ingredient, hemp is now the only plant in the United States that may be imported but grown only with government permission.

Industrial hemp advocates have a variety of opinions regarding why it remains illegal. Some believe agribusiness lacked enough financial motivation to seek government reauthorization of hemp when there were harvests for crops such as tobacco. Others say government misinformation unjustly sustains its prohibition. Another view blames unfair competition and interference from other countries, industries or business interests to keep Kentucky and other U.S. producers out of the market.

Industrial hemp’s history is rich, though, and it is getting nearer a government-approved comeback in Kentucky. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has lead the political efforts to redevelop industrial hemp in the state.

Canada legalized government-monitored hemp production in 1998, and most of its crop comes to the United States. The hemp industry there increased 24 percent in 2013 and is poised to pass $1 billion in annual revenue. According to the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, in 2011 farmers planted nearly 39,000 acres of hemp with reported net profits of $200 to $250 per acre, which is about five times what soybeans return.

Hemp seeds for food bring over $20 per pound retail. China, the Russian Federation and South Korea currently have 70 percent of that market; those government subsidize their hemp production.

Kentucky farmers are inquiring

Warren Beeler, director of agriculture policy for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, travels extensively throughout the state and thinks there is much pent-up demand to get involved in hemp. He suggests the state could manage hemp similarly to the way tobacco crops are apportioned, regulated and monitored.

“We’ve got processors and farmers contacting us every week wanting to get started here,” Beeler said.

Hemp carries less marijuana taint among older farmers, who view it as a crop – because within their memory it was.

“Kentucky hemp strains are based on seeds from 1937 because no (strain-improving) development has been done since the Marijuana Tax Act of that year,” Beeler said. “During the (second World) War, we grew the seeds the government gave us. With our strong native strains, we have a lot of good stock to research, develop and then sell.”

The research necessary to modernize plant strains and develop a market for commonwealth hemp production will take time, he said, due to its still-limited legal status and current lack of money. But there are agribusiness incentives to make it happen.

“It’s an economical crop to grow,” said Beeler. “It’s prized as a rotational crop because its roots go 1 foot or deeper, which loosens the soil and adds oxygen. It does well as a no-till or minimum-till plant, meaning less fuel and time for field work.”

Bill Polyniak, president of Kentucky Cannabis Co., examines one of the test crops grown around the state in 2014 under a program to assess which strains might be best suited for commonwealth agribusiness if federal prohibitions are lifted.

Hemp’s strong disease and insect resistance can save up to $125 per acre in fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide costs compared to some common commercial crops, he said, and that results also in lighter environmental impact, including a small carbon footprint. Farmers like hemp as a soil stabilizer that leaves land better off after a crop is produced. A potential drawback, though, is that hemp would alter the state’s existing agribusiness landscape and infrastructure.

“Farmers only have so much room to grow crops so, if a new crop is introduced, which one drops off their list?” Beeler said. “We at the department have to consider that because there are crops we depend on being locally produced and don’t want to jeopardize.”

U.S. market must import hemp

Humans have grown hemp to be a source of fiber and lubricant oil for at least 10,000 years, but it has been illegal to grow in the United States since 1955. Many nations made marijuana illegal after adoption of the International Opium Convention of 1925, usually tainting its fiber-optimized sibling. Today 29 countries have legalized hemp production, and some subsidize its production. A few never legislated it.

The United States is the only industrialized country today that bans its production, according to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, thus all industrial hemp products sold in the United States are imported. There are some measures of the potential revenue stream for a market considered in the early stages of development.

The Hemp Industries Association estimated the retail value of North American hemp food, vitamin and body care products at $156 million to $171 million in 2012. Add clothing, auto parts, building materials and other hemp products for non-human consumption, and the retail value was near $500 million. Hemp product consumption has increased more than 10 percent annually since 2000.

Rope has been the premier hemp product for centuries, but there are at least 25,000 others.

Hemp formerly was a major crop in Kentucky, which was a top U.S. producer and saw peaks in the early 1900s and during World War II. In the late 1850s, more than one-third of the 400 bagging, rope and cordage factories in America were located in the state.

There is some expectation that this industry history in the state will provide advantages in marketing hemp if it is grown here again. In 2013, Kentucky passed legislation to join 18 other states in hemp pilot studies and production authorized in the U.S. 2014 Farm Bill. Eight states, not including Kentucky, backed resolutions to promote the growth and marketing of U.S. industrial hemp.

Depending on its use, hemp strains are bred, cultivated, harvested and processed differently. Industrial hemp falls into two categories:

The Lotus ECO Elise prototype vehicle incorporated components formed from lightweight hemp-based fiberglass to assess its suitability as a vehicle raw material.

Human consumption: Products are used for health or nutritional needs. Ground hemp and oil becomes cosmetics, foods and supplements.

Manufacturing: Uses are very broad-based and include rope; durable cloth; a fiberglass lighter and stronger than steel or aluminum; insulation; incorporation into concrete for increased strength and energy efficiency R-values; biofuel base; and bedding in Thoroughbred stalls.

The hemp plant’s deep roots make it a “mop crop” that absorbs soil pollutants; it continues to be planted heavily around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Russia to lessen ground contamination resulting from a catastrophic failure in 1986.

Medical marijuana a distraction

Industrial hemp’s potential legalization is being somewhat muddled and complicated by the growing attention being given medical marijuana. Industrial hemp has remained roadblocked because all cannabis plants produce the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Figures vary, but studies have put the THC level needed to induce psychoactivity at 3 percent or better.

In general, cannabis – whose leaves and especially its flower buds have more than 3 percent THC – is marijuana; varieties developed in recent years to emphasize their “high”-inducing quality are 10 to 30 percent THC. Strains that yield economically viable levels of fiber or oil seed have less than 1 percent THC; legislation to legalize industrial hemp calls for it to contain THC level of 0.3 percent or less.

Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia by prescription to treat anxiety, control pain and improve appetite. Marijuana is legal for recreational use as a euphoric in Colorado and Washington.

Meanwhile, another non-psychoactive cannabis medical compound has been identified. Cannabidiol, known as CBD, is showing promise in quelling the seizures of epileptic children. U.S. studies indicate a majority of test subjects using CBD-rich hemp oil refined from certain strains reduced seizures from nearly 80 percent to more than 95 percent, depending on the study. The Federal Drug Administration has authorized investigation of CBD as a treatment for severe, drug-resistant epilepsy.

Additionally, the National Cancer Institute says studies are finding CBD has anti-tumor, analgesic and appetite stimulation properties. Ironically, many current anti-seizure prescription medications are psychoactive; they also can have extremely dire side effects and at $500 to $1,000 per month are many times the cost of medicinal hemp oil.

Those calling for hemp’s legalization say lumping it in with marijuana is akin to “throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” given hemp’s many medical and health benefits. However, opponents suspect that legalizing hemp is actually a Trojan horse tactic to gain approval ultimately of marijuana.

The notoriety of the fiber crop plant grew seriously in 1970 when, as part of President Richard Nixon’s war on drug abuse, the Controlled Substances Act reclassified all varieties of cannabis as Schedule 1 drugs. That put hemp into the same class as heroin, cocaine and other powerful narcotics.

Drug enforcement authorities believed that due to its nearly identical appearance, marijuana could be hidden in hemp fields. Marijuana and industrial hemp plants are similar enough to cross-pollinate but doing so degrades the qualities of both plants.

Industrial hemp proponents say plant biology and strong financial disincentives present a case against rather than for using the fiber crop as a shield for marijuana.

“Think about it – why would any legitimate hemp producer risk his crop and farm for a little bit of marijuana?” said Bill Polyniak, president of Kentucky Cannabis Co., one of the firms involved in the state’s trial growers program. “A hemp farmer will make far more on hemp crops than what little they’d get for a few marijuana plants, so why risk that? I know I don’t want it growing within 100 miles of my crops because cross pollination would ruin everything I’m trying to build.”

Knowing what it can do

Hemp fiber’s established reputation as an advantageous manufacturing material is still being explored.

In addition to being a component of efficient insulation and strong concrete as well as a land-friendly biofuel base, vehicles such as the Lotus ECO Elise have included hemp-based fiberglass.

“Hemp has exceptional material properties that make for a very strong fiber. The hemp fibers have also been used in the manufacture of the lightweight Lotus designed seats,” the company’s literature states, going on to extol renewable hemp’s “green” advantages.

The University of Louisville is planting hemp next year in contaminated “brown fields” around Jefferson County to assess their impact on absorbing the ground’s pollution.

Frank Goad is a correspondent for The Lane Report. He can be reached at editorial@lanereport.com.