News & Articles

Susan Barnhart spent six years building America’s only wool-hemp textile company—and she’s doing it without any U.S.-processed hemp fiber. Shemp Yarn’s surprisingly soft socks and beanies prove the product works, but until someone invests $2-3 million in domestic processing equipment, American hemp growers will keep shipping fiber overseas while entrepreneurs like Barnhart source from France. This is the infrastructure gap holding back U.S. hemp textiles.

…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first opportunities for public input on new programs focused on lower carbon construction materials made possible by a $350 million investment from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

…

The ICC has officially approved hemp as a building material—and Michigan is gearing up to build. Ray Cattery, incoming president of the US Hemp Building Association, breaks down what the new codes mean for builders and architects, while iHemp Michigan announces a packed schedule of workshops and field days to get hands-on with hempcrete. The revolution is being unboxed.

…

Michigan’s cannabis tourism industry is taking off, and Connie Sparrow of Derive Travel is leading the charge with The Nest—a first-of-its-kind cannabis concierge accommodation in Muskegon. Featuring personalized bud bars, dab education, infusion chef experiences, and partnerships with licensed retailers, Sparrow is transforming how out-of-state visitors from illegal states experience legal cannabis. With Cannabash returning July 8th expecting 15,000 attendees, and expansion properties launching across West Michigan, this is cannabis hospitality reimagined.

…

Lori and Andrew Putt of HOH CBD reveal the real costs of building a vertically integrated hemp business—from five-week payment freezes to 20-document international shipments to Brazil. Their hard-won lessons on branding, quality systems, and surviving the CBD marketplace offer a roadmap for Michigan’s hemp entrepreneurs.

…

University researchers have secured $700,000 in federal funding for a three-year hemp grain and fiber study—and they’re actively seeking experienced Michigan growers to participate as research cooperators. With stipends available, seed provided, and the chance to help build the performance-based testing database that could eventually eliminate compliance testing for proven varieties, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Midwest hemp agriculture.

…

Cody Ley of Hemp for Humanity is planning to build 20 hemp-based homes in Detroit using locally-sourced materials from underserved Michigan farmers—and he’s solving technical challenges like thermal bridging along the way. In this episode of the iHemp Hour, Lay shares his journey from plastics research to hemp farming, explains why CBG might be the cannabinoid you’re missing, and reveals how 100 acres of hemp could transform a Detroit neighborhood.

…

When SWAT teams raided award-winning CBD producer Michael Tui’s farm and medical office, they found $400 and a tractor—but no charges have been filed. His story exposes troubling questions about Michigan’s hemp enforcement and the regulatory maze facing legitimate operators. Learn how you can help and what this means for the industry.

…

iHemp Michigan has been a major proponent of hemp for fiber and grain. While grain is taking longer with the research required, we just received great news on the fiber […] …

Fifth-generation Michigan farmers Dennis and Eric Dean have cracked the code on profitable hemp farming—and they’re sharing their secrets. From their award-winning bucking machine that replaces 12 workers to their direct-to-consumer model that’s driven 50% annual growth, Lakeland Hemp offers a blueprint for surviving (and thriving) in an industry that’s seen a 90% grower dropout rate. Plus: seedless hemp varieties that could change everything for CBD flower producers.

…