The Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA), hemp consumers, and advocates for meaningful cannabis policy reform rallied in the State Capitol Rotunda on the first day of the lame duck session, voicing strong opposition to HB4293—an industry-threatening bill. The group visited legislative offices, held a rally, and championed HB5903, a grassroots alternative crafted by and for hemp stakeholders. HB5903 prioritizes public safety through age-gating, testing, and labeling standards while expanding opportunities for individuals currently excluded by Illinois’ restrictive hemp and cannabis rules. This video features the rally that was held in the Rotunda.

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston dives into Governor Pritzker's press conference addressing a controversial bill aimed at regulating hemp-derived THC products in Illinois. Joined by fellow advocate Phil and Illinois Hemp Growers Association leaders Rachel and Chris Berry, they unpack the proposed legislation, its implications for small businesses, and the rhetoric surrounding public safety. With firsthand insights, sharp critiques, and a few laughs, the panel challenges claims made by policymakers while advocating for consumer choice and a fairer market. Plus, updates on the upcoming hemp industry lobby day at the Illinois Capitol. Tune in for a candid conversation about the future of cannabis, hemp, and policy reform in Illinois. Full show notes: https://thecolememo.com/2024/12/16/e152/

In this episode, we’re sparking a conversation with Chris and Rachel from the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. Join us as we discuss the potential impact of House Bill 5903, which aims to reshape hemp regulations in Illinois by aligning them with federal standards. We dive into recent headlines around proposed state regulations and the growing tension between the hemp and cannabis industries.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rachel Berry, the founder and president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA). In this video, Rachel shares her journey as a first-generation farmer and a leading advocate in the hemp industry. Rachel's story demonstrates resilience, community, and the transformative power of hemp. Don't miss out on Rachel's insights and her plans for the upcoming 2024 Hemp Research Open House. Watch the full interview to be inspired by Rachel's commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future for the hemp industry. 🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more interviews and updates on the hemp industry. 👍 If you enjoyed the video, please give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 💬 Leave your comments and questions below – we'd love to hear from you! #HempIndustry #SustainableFarming #IHGA #RachelBerry #HempAdvocacy #Agriculture #Farmers

In this episode, I am joined by the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. During the episode we talk about a variance by IDOA that allows licensed cultivators in Illinois to purchase and sell hemp derived cannabinoids in dispensaries. Learn more about IHGA at IllinoisHGA.com

Rachel interviews Cole Cramm, Owner and Operator of North Adams Hemp in Adams County, IL. northadamshemp.com Autumn 2024

On this week’s hemp podcast, we listen to a panel discussion from the NoCo Hemp Expo that took place in Colorado earlier this month. The panelists were Rachel Berry, a farmer and founder of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association; Terry Moran, a sales rep from Kanda Hemp, an importer of Asian hemp varieties; Corbett Miteff from KonopiUS, an importer of European hemp genetics; and Larry Smart, a geneticist and plant breeder from Cornell University. The panel discussion was moderated by Eric Singular who described the topic of discussion as “the intersection of agronomy and genetics in hemp fiber production.” Smart talked about starting the breeding program at Cornell and how trying to meet the needs of the industry has been a roller coaster ride. “But certainly right now the demand is for fiber,” Smart said. “So we have been focused on breeding fiber hemp. And the main trait that we see as valuable in fiber hemp is very late flowering.” Because hemp is a photoperiodic crop, it will stop growing taller once it starts to flower. “If we can identify varieties that continue to grow and do not transition to flowering, those are going to create the greatest amount of biomass,” he said. Typically, later-flowering varieties are adapted to tropical or subtropical latitudes, he said. Moran spoke about the need for seed in the U.S. as the industry grows. “The main thing to think about is if you’re going to get to 250,000 acres,” he said, “is where’s that seed going to come from?” Asia and Europe are the likely sources based on current trends. “And I don’t see that changing in the near term. And even if there’s some great variety out there, it’s going to take several years to scale that,” Moran said. Berry, a first-generation farmer in Illinois, spoke about the importance of genetic research and how she worked with the Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative. The group provided genetics that were tailored to Berry’s region, one of which she said provided amazing results. “Having folks like you who are doing the research on these genetics and providing them to farmers like me to eliminate all that trial and error, I’m so grateful for that,” Berry said. Miteff described his work with processing methods, various fiber lengths, and the defibrillation of cellulose. “At end of the day, we’re trying to find things where we can get some really good fiber that we can break apart that cellulose and start using it,” Miteff said. “But at the same time, how do we get the grain off of it?” he asked, a question that took the panelists into a conversation about dual cropping varieties that produce both fiber and grain. Learn more: Eric Singular https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-singular Pennsylvania Flax Project https://paflaxproject.com/ Illinois Hemp Growers Association https://www.illinoishga.com/ Cornell University Hemp Program https://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/ KonopiUS https://www.konopius.com/ Kanda Hemp https://kandahemp.com/ Noco Hemp Expo https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ News Nuggets HempWood https://hempwood.com/ Coolest Thing Made in Kentucky https://coolestthingky.com/ USDA's 2023 National Hemp Report https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Pennsylvania/Publications/Survey_Results/2024/hempan24.pdf Thanks to Our Sponsors! IND HEMP https://indhemp.com/ Mpactful Ventures https://www.mpactfulventures.org/ Forever Green https://www.hempcutter.com/ HUGE THANK YOU TO SUNRAY HEMP in ALASKA Music courtesy of Tin Bird Shadow https://tinbirdshadow.bandcamp.com/album/dot-dot-dot

In this episode, I am joined by the Illinois Hemp Growers Association and my friend Philip. We have a conversation about upcoming events that the Illinois Hemp Growers Association has. We also have a deep conversation about what happened in the most recent legislative session, the hemp industry, and so much more. Connect with Illinois Hemp Growers Association online at www.illinoishga.com.