Insider Archive
This Month's Archived Video Session
CWCBExpoInsider is your place for viewing a rotating collection of recorded sessions from the CWCBExpo conference program archive. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
"The American Hemp Industry: A US States and Stakeholder Perspective"
With:
Erica Stark
Rick Weissman
Moderated by Colby McCoy
This discussion reviews the implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, the current state of regulations and what it all means for the hemp industry on a federal and state level. In addition, a wide range of topics is presented, including: THC testing/compliance considerations; selecting genetics, understanding certificates of analysis, best practices and new innovations in farm equipment.
Presented November 18, 2020, at CWCBExpoInsider on-line event
Erica Stark
Executive Director, National Hemp Association; Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council
Erica Stark is the Executive Director of the National Hemp Association and the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council. She also serves as the co-chair of the Policy and Regulation Subcommittee of the PA Hemp Steering Committee which is the official advisory council to the PA Dept. of Agriculture. She has years of experience in hemp education and legislative advocacy, including testifying before Congress. Erica was instrumental in enacting legislation in Pennsylvania and is proud to have been managing permits and growing hemp in PA since 2017.
Colby McCoy
Assistant Editor, Hemp Farmer Magazine
Colby McCoy is the Assistant Editor for Hemp Farmer Magazine who has been covering the cannabis industry as a journalist for over two years. He graduated from the University of Georgia, earning a B.A. in International Relations with a focus in International Political Economy. Over the course of his career, Colby developed a deep interest in cannabis as a viable agricultural commodity that could bring economic value to farmers, processors, extractors, and other stakeholders on the hemp supply chain. When he’s not developing a vision for Hemp Farmer you can usually find him trekking across trails in his home of Tacoma, Washington or travelling the globe to experience new cultures and languages.
Rick Weissman
Founder & President, High Falls Agriculture; High Falls Hemp NY
Rick Weissman, Founder & President of High Falls Agriculture and High Falls Hemp NY, embarked on this venture in November 2017 and February 2018 respectively. Following an automobile accident that left him and his wife, Tricia with chronic discomfort, they both had been prescribed traditional pharmaceuticals to combat the pain. Disappointed, they turned away from conventional practices and found healing and wellness solutions in the plant-based alternative, CBD. Struck by the results and benefits, they embarked on a mission to educate and share CBD with everyone. When New York state offered farmers licenses to grow Hemp in 2017, they realized it was meant to be and planted their first hemp in 2018.
Under Tricia and Rick’s stewardship, High Falls Hemp NY upholds the most stringent industry standards utilizing organic farming practices and growing the products they sell. Their company owns the manufacturing process from, “seed to soul”. The product that is delivered to customers comes from their farm in High Falls, NY. Every product is triple lab tested, vegan, gluten free, cruelty-free, non-GMO. The extraction methods and processing of the products far exceed NY State Dept of Agriculture guidelines under Tricia and Rick’s leadership to ensure they remain the trusted New York CBD. They have an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality, most premium products to their customers
Rick’s career spans 30+ years in the bond market. He served as Managing Director of Institutional Mortgage and Asset-Backed Sales at Gleacher Securities (2008-2013), RBS Greenwich Capital Markets (1994-2008), Nomura Securities (1989-1994), and LF Rothschild and Co (1986-1989). At Nomura Securities, Rick led a 50-person institutional MBS sales group and headed their mortgage-backed securities strategy group. Prior to Nomura, Rick was Senior Vice President at Powers Research, an interest rate risk management firm (1981-1986).
Rick holds an MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University (1981) with a major in Finance and Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (1978) with majors in Finance and Marketing.