Hemp Flower

Chase Hubbard of The Jacobsen (now Fast Markets) returns to iHemp Hour with a surprising perspective: despite frustrations, hemp is developing faster than almost any commodity crop in history. This episode covers biofuels, automotive applications, the Delta-8 regulatory mess, animal feed barriers, and why Michigan growers should consider whether the USDA program offers a better path forward—plus the launch of iHemp Michigan’s new building workshops and a tribute to the late Rob Roebar.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The emerging Cannabis and Industrial Hemp industries have a new “acting” executive director at the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, Brian Hanna. Hanna served as a manager of field operations, inspections, and investigations for five years under Andrew Brisbo. Brisbo is off to his new job as the director of Michigan’s Bureau of Construction Codes.

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University researchers from MSU and the University of Illinois share the first multi-state hemp trial results for CBD, grain, and fiber genetics. The 2021 data reveals which varieties stay compliant, which ones go hot, how different cultivars yield across locations, and why CBG may offer growers the safest path forward. Essential insights for anyone planting hemp in 2022.

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Economist Beau Whitney breaks down the real state of the U.S. hemp industry—from collapsing CBD prices to the massive long-term opportunities in fiber, grain, construction materials, plastics, and textiles. Despite regulatory confusion and struggling farmers, Whitney forecasts up to 10 million acres of hemp by 2030 and explains what must happen for the U.S. to stay competitive in the global hemp economy.

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