An advocate of hemp is defined as someone who advocates for its legalization as an agricultural crop and the sale of its products, such as CBD-infused hemp-derived CBD products. Furthermore, he/she advocates to have it removed from federal Schedule 1 list of controlled substances.
Hemp is an impressive plant used for centuries to make paper, oils and other useful goods, but somehow over the decades has become misidentified with marijuana (aka pot, chronic and weed), an addictive medicinal drug filled with THC that induces high. Due to this confusion a national crusade was launched against all varieties of cannabis including hemp – as depicted by movies such as Reefer Madness.
Industrial hemp remains prohibited as an agricultural crop at a federal level, yet since 2000 a group of advocates has worked tirelessly to change this. Through Vote Hemp, they aim to transfer regulation of hemp from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to agriculture departments as well as defend any proposed laws or policies that might restrict hemp commerce.
Vote Hemp has earned the appreciation of President Donald Trump, who endorsed them and signed an executive order to establish a hemp research center at USDA. Vote Hemp also has the backing of former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and rock band Phish, with whom they raised funds to lobby for hemp legislation.
Forbes expects the hemp CBD market to reach $22 billion by 2022 due to growing consumer interest for CBD-infused beauty, wellness and pet care products as well as beverages and edibles.
An important part of being a hemp advocate is informing others about its many health and safety benefits. Hemp advocates work to ensure those involved with hemp industry uphold high health and safety standards – just like any industry! For consumers’ own safety it is imperative they purchase only from responsible operators.
Hemp advocacy also involves making sure all individuals can access and participate in the hemp industry, particularly minorities and women. For example, Mordican Smith runs a hemp-growing operation in Birmingham, Alabama; hemp has given him an avenue to make money while contributing to his community, and he believes other minority-owned businesses may find similar success using its resources.
Judith Cassel is an attorney and founding partner of Cannabis Law PA in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She provides legal guidance to hemp growers, processors, dispensaries and other industry stakeholders across Pennsylvania and nationwide. She possesses extensive experience working within highly regulated industries such as electricity, natural gas and petroleum; having successfully negotiated mergers and acquisitions as well as refinancing companies and restructuring operations. She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, serving as co-chair for its Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee as well as teaching CLE courses through their Legal Education and Professional Development Program. Additionally, she earned both her Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law at Penn State and Master of Business Administration degrees from Lebanon Valley College.