North Carolina House and Senate Pass Industrial Hemp Bill

LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwired – Oct 1, 2015) – Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP) announced today Senate Bill 313 passed the House on September 28, 2015 (with a vote of 101 to 7) and the Senate on September 29, 2015 (with a vote of 42 to 2) in favor of the proposed Industrial Hemp legislation in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association (NCIHA), “this legislation will authorize an industrial hemp pilot program within the state of North Carolina and establish the Industrial Hemp Commission (IHC) to be followed by pilot program participants.” IHC will implement the university research program.

Passed by both the House and the Senate, Industrial Hemp Senate Bill 313 awaits final approval from Governor Pat McCory. If approved by the Governor, the state will then establish its Industrial Hemp Commission to oversee the pilot program. This commission, reportedly, will work with the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association (NCIHA) of which David Schmitt, COO of Hemp, Inc.’s (OTC: HEMP) subsidiary Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC in Spring Hope, NC, is on the Board of Directors.

Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc. (OTC: HEMP) said, “We couldn’t be more excited. Just one day after the House approved the bill, it was approved by the Senate. This is a major accomplishment for the state. Years ago, the Senator Stan Bingham attempted to pass an Industrial Hemp bill but North Carolina’s law enforcement opposed it and that buried the bill. Now, there are no objections to it. People are being educated on the myriad benefits of industrial hemp, including how it can help the economy. I believe we’ll see less objections across the country as more people begin to understand what hemp is and how it can benefit them as an individual and how it benefits their community. Our multipurpose hemp processing plant is the only one in the state, so we are thrilled.”

Per the Bill (view full Senate Bill 313 here), the General Assembly declared that promoting and encouraging the development of the industrial hemp industry are in the best interest of North Carolina residents. The industrial hemp industry can “expand employment, promote economic activity, and provide opportunities to small farmers for an environmentally sustainable and profitable use of crop lands that might otherwise be lost to agricultural production.”

The bill also states it seeks to “establish an agricultural pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp in the State, to provide for reporting on the program by growers and processors for agricultural or other research, and to pursue any federal permits or waivers necessary to allow industrial hemp to be grown in the State.”

“This is exciting news for North Carolina farmers who will be able to cultivate industrial hemp again for the first time in 71 years,” said Thomas Shumaker, Executive Director for NCIHA. “We would like to thank everyone who supported our organization throughout this effort especially North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and his team for their hard work and support in making this a reality.”Hemp, Inc.’s multipurpose industrial hemp processing plant in Spring Hope, North Carolina is 80% complete. German engineer, Jens Kleinert of Temafa Machines, the manufacturer of Hemp, Inc.’s decortication machine, says he was quite surprised that it was able to be installed in such a short amount of time. This is Kleinert’s third time visiting the plant to monitor the re-installation and has since derived a list of final tasks that need to be done.

As stated in Hemp, Inc.’s press release 9/29/2015, the processing plant continues to be prepped for maximum operational efficiency. An electrical contractor is currently on site assembling the electrical wiring. Thus far, fifty percent of the wiring has already been laid in the cable trays.

The fact that hemp is not yet legal in North Carolina played no role in setting up shop in North Carolina. Executives say the company will process kenaf until Senate Bill 313 goes into effect. “Even with the kenaf, we expect it to produce millions of dollars in revenue a year, which is already legal and very lucrative,” said Perlowin.

From hemp historian John Dvorak’s research, in 1619, it was illegal not to grow hemp in Jamestown, Virginia because it was one of the country’s most valuable resources. Colonists were ordered to grow 100 plants specifically for fiber export. States actually encouraged hemp cultivation. However, marijuana prohibition and the dominance of the cotton industry set in. Today, Americans want to take advantage of the lucrative hemp cash crop.

HempX, the family-friendly free event held a few days ago, is one event of many that is educating Americans on the importance of hemp. HempX sought to educate both young and old about the multiple uses and benefits of industrial hemp. Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc., David Schmitt, COO of Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC, and, Philip Boyer, Director of Operations all attended the HempX event in Asheville, North Carolina.

Perlowin, Schmitt and Boyer met with Kevin Hodge, founder of Hemp Adobe Homes to discuss pouring the foundation pad for Hemp, Inc.’s 12-foot by 60-foot tall silo on the grounds of the processing facility. The silo, when filled, will weigh over 100,000 pounds. Hodge says hemp adobe will be a great option for the foundation material because it is more structural as opposed to hempcrete.

When asked the difference between hempcrete and hemp adobe in the latest video update, Hodge said hemp adobe is a refractory (a substance resistant to heat) made of magnesium. Magnesium, coupled with hemp, makes a very structural substance, whereas hempcrete is more of an insulator. Hemp Adobe Homes is in the process of giving Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC a quote for the project. The foundation pad needs to be completed within 60 days.

Perlowin also met with Brian Bullman, Managing Member of Carolina Canna Distributors, LLC, during HempX. His entire staff was at their booth selling Hemp, Inc.’s cosmeceuticals, along with other hemp products and their line of energy drinks (CannaEnergy). Hemp, Inc. and Carolina Canna Distributors solidified a new distributorship agreement which will put Hemp, Inc.’s products in as many of their 400 store channels of distribution, as possible. Perlowin also met with John Agar, North Carolina representative from District 115. “He was amazed and surprised at the scope of the project taking place in Spring Hope. Being a farmer, he was very receptive to moving the ball forward in legalizing hemp in D.C.”

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HEMP NATION MAGAZINE
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About the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association The North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association (NCIHA) is a 501(c) (6) non-profit association that serves as the driving force to forward the legal growth of hemp and its many industrial and medicinal uses in North Carolina. NCIHA is the central point of information and industry development in North Carolina for farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, as well as educational and governmental stakeholders. Connect with the NCIHA online at www.ncindhemp.org and follow them on Twitter @nchempindustry.

ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP SECTOR
In 2001, Erik Rothenberg, President of Atlas Corporation and Director of Vote Hemp, authored a case study entitled “A Renewal of Common Sense: The Case for Hemp in the 21st Century America” which discusses hemp’s role in an economically, sustainable environment. The title, “A Renewal of Common Sense”, is quite befitting for Americans today. Through years of misinformation and a daunting misunderstanding of hemp, this valuable resource had been cast off because of its infamously intoxicating cousin marijuana. Thus, many Americans need a renewal of common sense and education.

Hemp is a plant that was grown around the world for centuries. This plant, once considered a valuable natural resource, is and has been harvested for its fibers, seed, seed meal and seed oil. The hemp plant is a variety of the plant species Cannabis Sativa. The leaves of the hemp plant also look very similar, thus its confusion with marijuana. While both plants look similar, they are quite different. Hemp contains less than 1% THC, the active ingredient known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The marijuana plant, on the other hand, does contain 5 – 20% of this active ingredient.

In the United States of America, hemp dates back to the 1600’s. American farmers were required by law to grow hemp in Jamestown, Virginia and other colonies in order to export fiber. Hemp was a valuable natural resource. As such, the Declaration of Independence was drafted on hemp paper in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution was outfitted with 60 tons of hemp sails and rigging. Past Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams all grew hemp, while Abraham Lincoln used hemp seed oil to fuel his lamps. This is just a sampling of how hemp was used. It wasn’t until 1937 that hemp rapidly declined in popularity due to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act.

Despite the “Hemp for Victory” campaign during WWII, harassment from law enforcement coupled with inadequate education on the difference between hemp and marijuana quickly disparaged Americans. According to author Jim Lunstrum’s article, Wisconsin Once Led the Nation in Hemp Production, the last hemp crop was grown in Wisconsin in 1958. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act officially prohibited cultivation of the hemp crop.

Today, hemp provides just as many benefits as it has done for centuries, both environmentally, ecologically, and economically. Hemp can be grown in different climates and in a variety of soil types. It’s naturally resistant to most pests and is grown very close together. One acre of hemp can produce four times more paper than one acre of trees and is usually planted and harvested within four months.

Over 25,000 products can be derived from hemp. Forests and wildlife habitats would be saved and erosion of topsoil due to logging would be eliminated, if hemp were used. Hemp, as a food source, is rich in essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 – 6 -9. Hemp seeds can also be made into butter, milk, protein powder, oils, soap, and candles to name a few. Over 25,000 products can be derived from hemp. Read more on the uses and benefits of hemp on www.voteindustrialhemp.com.

It should be especially noted that hemp is an excellent source for fiber, which is why Hemp, Inc. will manufacture it in its multipurpose decortication processing facility. This natural, organic fiber can be processed into everything from clothing to textiles and was once the fabric of choice. Initially, it was only used as industrial fiber because of the coarseness. Traditional methods using acid to remove natural glue (lignin) in plant fibers to soften fabric had an adverse effect on hemp, as it made the fiber too weak for use. However, research evolved and an enzymatic process was developed to remove the lignin without weakening the fiber. This enzymatic process produced “de-gummed” hemp fiber that could be spun with a variety of other fabrics to create wonderful textiles for the apparel industry. Because of the durability, resistance to mold and ultraviolet light, and other properties of hemp, apparel made of hemp have been known to far surpass non-hemp products.

According to the non-profit trade association, Hemp Industries Association (HIA), the U.S. retail market for hemp products was valued to be at least $620 million. This includes hemp food, body care products, non-diary milk, shelled seeds, soaps, lotions, clothing, auto parts, building materials and various other products. It’s also important to note that market growth is increasing, even with current challenges… primarily legislature.

According to Marijuana News and Information, in an article posted 3/15/2015, “In January of 2015, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act was introduced in both the House and Senate, H.R. 525 and S. 134 respectively. If passed, the bill would remove all federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, and remove its classification as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Currently, 21 states may grow hemp per Sec. 7606 of the Farm Bill, including California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.”

For more information on current hemp laws or to stay abreast of legislature, visit http://www.VoteHemp.com.

HEMP, INC.’S TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP) seeks to benefit many constituencies from a “Cultural Creative” perspective, thereby not exploiting or endangering any group. CEO of Hemp, Inc., Bruce Perlowin, is positioning the company as a leader in the industrial hemp industry, with a social and environmental mission at its core. Thus, the publicly traded company believes in “up streaming” a portion of its profits back to its originator, in which some cases will one day be the American farmer — cultivating natural, sustainable products as an interwoven piece of nature. By Hemp, Inc. focusing on comprehensive investment results — that is, with respect to performance along the interrelated dimensions of people, planet, and profits — the triple bottom line approach can be an important tool to support its sustainability goal.

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