iHemp Hour Shows
The iHemp Hour was our way to collaborate and learn as we began to develop the industrial hemp industry in Michigan. With well over 100 conversations over the years, we have covered every aspect from seed to sale. Use this resource as a tool to dive deep into hemp. Rough transcripts have been generated for each show, allowing you to search for the content you need.
While we are off our regular schedule of hosting shows, from time to time we will tackle an important topic. The newest episodes will be at the top. Let us know if there is a topic we should cover.
Talking about Hemp-Lime
Hempcrete just cleared a major hurdle. The International Code Council has recommended approval of hempcrete for inclusion in the U.S. International Residential Code—a landmark achievement years in the making. On this episode of iHemp Hour, Jacob Waddell of the US Hemp Building Association shares the victory, while Kim Croes of Fiberfork announces she’s one of only 14 people in the U.S. trained in hempcrete spray application and will be building Michigan’s first permitted hempcrete home this July. Learn about hurd quality standards, spray application efficiency (60-75% faster than traditional methods), and how you can help advance hemp building in your state.
ABKO Labs
On this week’s iHemp Hour, Lab Director Josh Smith (ABKO Labs) dropped some eye-opening insights:
30-60% of CBD products on shelves are just vegetable oil ⚠️ Most Delta-8 products contain ~10% Delta-9 THC
The vast majority of hemp products are only tested for potency—not pesticides, heavy metals, or solvents
Josh breaks down: Testing costs ($50 potency, $470 full panel)
What different test results actually tell you
Why you should start GMP prep NOW ⚖️ The legal Delta-9 gummy loophole
Financing the Industrial Hemp industry
We learn about financing for hemp infrastructure with Bob More.
Homeland Hempcrete
Hempcrete Panels: The Future of Sustainable Home Construction On this episode of iHemp Hour, we sat down with Matt from Homeland Hempcrete to explore how prefabricated hempcrete panels are making sustainable building faster, more accessible, and more affordable than...
Hemp Moving To MRA
“I don’t think that type of oversight is as necessary on the hemp side of things.” — MRA Director Andrew Brisbo on Michigan’s lighter-touch approach to hemp regulation. In this landmark iHemp Hour, we sat down with the head of Michigan’s soon-to-be Cannabis Regulatory Agency to discuss what Executive Order 2022-1 means for hemp processors, retailers, and farmers. Good news: No metric system required. No license needed to sell hemp products online. And a fee structure that respects agriculture, not prohibition. This is the conversation every Michigan hemp stakeholder needs to hear.
Americans for Safe Access
As Michigan’s hemp processors prepare for the seismic shift to the new Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), patient advocates are sounding the alarm: medical cannabis patients must not be left behind. Brandy Zick of Americans for Safe Access joins iHemp Hour to discuss what “safe access” really means, why the caregiver program is under attack, and how hemp and cannabis advocates can unite to protect patient rights.
The Future of Hemp Grain
Hemp breeding expert Jeff Kostuik announces the merger of Hemp Genetics International and Tritium to form Verve Seed Solutions—and predicts hybrid varieties will double grain yields within 2-3 years. With 23 years of experience and leadership in both the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance and Hemp Industries Association, Kostuik shares what American farmers can learn from Canada’s mature hemp industry: no field THC testing, no license fees, and yields of 1,000-2,000 lbs/acre. Plus: practical advice on dual-purpose crops, carbon credits, certified seed, and why 2022 is the year to start learning hemp while commodity prices are high.
COVID and Cannabinoids
Can hemp compounds really help prevent COVID-19? Cannabinoid expert Annie Rouse joins iHemp Hour to break down the viral Oregon State University study that found CBDA and CBGA—acidic cannabinoids from hemp—can bind to the coronavirus spike protein and potentially block infection. Learn what the research actually shows, why standard CBD products are different from the compounds studied, and what consumers should realistically expect. Plus: the science behind CBDA’s anti-inflammatory properties and why the “mother cannabinoid” CBGA may be the next big thing in hemp wellness.
How Carbon Programs Operate
Carbon credits could quadruple in price over the next decade—and hemp farmers are uniquely positioned to benefit. Panxchange experts Seth Boone and Alex Molesko join iHemp Hour to explain how carbon credits work, why hemp’s multiple sequestration pathways (soil, plant biomass, and permanent end uses like hempcrete) make it ideal for carbon projects, and how farmers can earn $15-$25+ per ton of CO2 removed. Learn the five steps to start a carbon project, what auditors look for, and why this value-added revenue stream rewards regenerative farming practices. Contact carbon@panxchange.com to get started.
The Hemp Industries Association
Hemp Industries Association Executive Director Jody McGinnis joins iHemp Hour to discuss the organization’s 30-year legacy, the 2021 board elections, the ongoing DEA legal battle, and why 2022 may finally be the breakthrough year for hemp fiber. Learn how the HIA’s industry councils are connecting farmers with processors, what it takes to raise the THC limit to 1%, and how you can get involved with the most democratic trade organization in the hemp industry. Visit theHIA.org or JoinHemp.org to join the movement.
Scott Colville Crop Insurance
Scott Colville of Colville Crop Insurance explains how Michigan hemp farmers can protect their investment with crop insurance—and what it takes to qualify. Learn the requirements, deadlines, and coverage options before March 15th.
Creating a Reliable Supply Chain of Carbon-Negative Hemp Materials
More than 60% of North American injection molding capacity sits within 100 miles of the Great Lakes. That’s why Heartland Hemp Company—a biotech firm engineering hemp fibers for plastics—planted their flag right here in Michigan. In this iHemp Hour episode, we explore their USDA-funded carbon research, why Fortune 500 companies are paying attention, and what it means for Michigan farmers and manufacturers.