iHemp Hour
The iHemp Hour is a recurring educational series that features authentic dialogue between industry leaders, farmers, and policy advocates regarding the latest shifts in the hemp world. Each episode explores the diverse facets of the industry—from regenerative cultivation and building materials to market trends and federal regulations—providing a realistic and professional platform for knowledge sharing. This program serves as a critical repository of insights for those navigating the evolving landscape of industrial hemp.
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Former jet ski racer turned CBD educator, Rod Glupker, took years of pain, failed therapies, and a life-changing CBD experience and turned it into the CBD Store of Michigan in Fremont. With more than 60 mostly Michigan-made brands and his own Blue Lake CBD line, Rod focuses on education, quality, and helping people (and their pets) find real, plant-based relief—without the stigma.
On this special Veterans Day edition of the iHemp Hour, the team spotlights the Hero Project USA—a veteran-focused 501(c)(3) connecting the cannabis and hemp community with real support for those who served. Board president Mike Brennan, spokesperson and disabled Iraqi war veteran Anton Harb Jr., and partner Rob Robar share how medical cannabis and CBD are helping veterans manage PTSD and pain, why equity and access still lag behind, and how projects like a 1,000-turkey Thanksgiving giveaway in Flint are turning industry goodwill into tangible help for vets and their communities.
Hemp Economics
by Dave Crabill
/ November 4, 2021
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.
The Good Works of Hemp Harvest Works and Bish Enterprises
by Dave Crabill
/ October 28, 2021
In this iHemp Hour, Dave and Blaine talk with Andrew Bish and Karen from Bish Enterprises and Hemp Harvest Works about innovative hemp harvesting solutions—from multi-height sickle mowers to super crop headers—along with real-world challenges in fiber, grain, decortication, vet involvement, and building the infrastructure needed to scale industrial hemp in the U.S.
The latest iHemp Hour highlights the Global Hemp Innovation Challenge—an international competition drawing entries from over 65 countries and culminating at the World Ag Expo. Guests John from Montana and Jobenomics founder Chuck Vollmer discuss global hemp breakthroughs, veteran-led microbusiness development, sustainable building, and how hemp can revitalize rural communities.
North Dakota’s First Hemp Testing Laboratories
by Dave Crabill
/ October 14, 2021
Adams Independent Testing (AIT) stands as one of the first hemp-testing labs in North Dakota — built on over 50 years of family-run grain inspection experience. In this iHemp Hour feature, Kia Mikesh walks through how AIT delivers fast, unbiased, ISO-accredited testing and helps hemp growers, processors, and retailers interpret COAs, avoid red flags, and ensure compliance.
Shira Adler, author of The ABCs of CBD, joins iHemp Hour to explore how one plant can heal people, communities, and the planet. From bridging the hemp-vs-cannabis divide to combining ancient plant wisdom with modern science, Shira offers a human-first guide to cannabinoids, aromatherapy, and the future of a responsible hemp industry.
In 2019, Lakeland Hemp planted 10,000 clones with a “Field of Dreams” mindset: If we grow it, buyers will come. They didn’t. In this episode of the iHemp Hour, Dennis, Barb, and Eric reveal how they pivoted from wholesale failure to a profitable, vertically integrated online brand. Plus, the legendary story of how Barb forced Chase Bank to open a business account by simply refusing to leave the lobby.
Ways to Brand your Product and Market in the Hemp Industry
by Dave Crabill
/ September 23, 2021
“Unless you’re replacing something unsustainable, you’re just chasing a buzz.” Jeff Cole of US Hemp Brokerage returns to the iHemp Hour to reveal why he is shifting focus from cannabinoids to consumables. From “stab city” anecdotes to the “Hemp Replacement Index,” this episode is a masterclass in reading the market’s tea leaves. Plus, get the details on our “Growlers in the Grow” event in Traverse City!
Updates on the policy and regulation | iHemp Hour ft Molly Mott of MDARD
by Dave Crabill
/ September 16, 2021
The 20-Day Rule: MDARD, Hot Crops, and the End of the Wild West
Excerpt: “If you talk to the regulators, they will work with you. If you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.” With grower numbers down 80%, the industry has shifted from a gold rush to a compliance game. In this iHemp Hour, MDARD’s Molly Mott explains exactly when to call for testing (don’t harvest yet!), the difference between “compliance” and “negligence,” and why transparency is your best insurance policy.