Industrial Hemp Potential for

Colorado Farmers

Presented by Caren Kershner and Colorado Industrial Hemp Coalition

719-238-1563
carenkershner@hotmail.com
 Industrial Hemp in Colorado
• Amendment 64, which
legalized marijuana for adults
over 21, legalized the growing
of marijuana’s cousin,
industrial hemp, as well.
• Both medical and industrial
cannabis are classified as
Cannabis sativa, but differ in
the phytocannabinoids they
contain.
• Industrial hemp does not
contain the psychotropic
compound D9 THC, and will
not get you high. It has a
variety of other uses, however.

• This power point presentation may not be reproduced without the written
permission of Caren Kershner.
What does growing industrial hemp in
Colorado involve?
 Colorado Industrial Hemp Act
Title 35, Article 61
• This act allows farmers to grow low THC industrial hemp
as a commercial crop.
• Colorado adopted the same THC standards as are used in
Canada. Industrial hemp must contain less than .3% THC
• This act addresses:
– Appointment and duties of an industrial hemp committee
– Registration of industrial hemp crops, commercial or R&D
– Report of growth and sales activities
– Fees
– Violations and penalties
– Exportation of industrial hemp
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Why would we even want to grow
hemp in Colorado?
…a history lesson
 Well, hemp has been used for thousands of years for
food, medicine and textiles.
7000 BCE (recently discovered )
2737 BCE………………………………..
1500 BCE………………………………..
600 BCE………………………………….
100 BC……………………………………
850 CE……………………………………
1533 CE………………………………….
1616 CE………………………………….
1753 CE……………………………………
1776 CE ………………………………….
1842 CE……………………………………
1937 CE……………………………………
2013 CE……………………………………
• Hemp/linen fabric used in Turkey
• First recorded use of cannabis as medicine
• Cannabis cultivated for food & fiber in China
• Hemp rope appears in Russia
• First evidence of hemp paper from China
• Vikings take hemp rope and seed to Iceland
• Henry VIII fines farmers for NOT growing
industrial hemp
• Jamestown settlers grow hemp for rope, sails
and clothing
• Linnaeus classifies hemp as Cannabis sativa
• Kentucky begins growing hemp
• O’Shaugnessy publishes cannabis research
• Marijuana Tax Act is passed, criminalizing
cannabis
• First cannabis crop in almost 60 years grown in
Colorado
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 Hemp was grown by our forefathers.
• Hemp cultivation was banned in
1937 due to pressure from the oil
and cotton industries. Although
cannabis was used for centuries
as medicine, the plant was
demonized in the wake of the
new pharmaceutical industry.

The first American flag was made of hemp.

This power point presentation may not be reproduced without the written permission of
Caren Kershner.
This power point presentation may not be reproduced without the written permission of Caren Kershner.

Both Washington and Jefferson grew hemp, with limited success. It

was offered as an alternative crop to tobacco farming in Virginia.
 Kentucky is growing experimental hemp crops
this year. Other states will soon follow.
Other states where industrial hemp cultivation is legal include Oregon,
California, Vermont, Montana, West Virginia, North Dakota and
Maine, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It continues to be illegal to grow industrial hemp under federal law,

although the Farm Bill allows state agriculture departments and
institutions of higher learning to obtain and grow seed without fear
of retaliation.

UC Boulder is presently working on a genome sequencing project for

cannabis.
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 Presently, almost all hemp used in the U.S. is
imported from Canada and China.
The U.S. imported approximately $2 billion of hemp in 2012.
Hemp products were a $450 million industry in the U.S. at that
time.
Hemp farmers in Canada report a profit of $200-$250/ acre.
Dual or multi-purpose crops can improve that profit margin.
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 There are over 25 000 products which
contain industrial hemp.
• Hemp can be used for
traditional uses like
rope, paper, canvas, and
other textiles. It makes
a strong and durable
fiber.
• It can also be used to
create plastics, biofuels,
construction materials,
and body care products.

• This power point presentation may not be reproduced without the written permission
of Caren Kershner.
 Will houses of the future be made of hemp? Since 1 acre of
hemp can produce as much building material as 4 acres of trees,
there’s a good possibility. Plus, hemp doesn’t require the
pesticides that other crops do. Hemp houses are being built in
Scotland and South Africa- why not here?
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This hemp house in South
Africa is a finalist for the
World Design Capital Cape
Town 2014 Award.

Hemp homes are more

energy efficient than homes
built with traditional building
materials.

Hempcrete, the primary

building material for hemp
homes, is made from a
combination of plant matter,
mainly hurds, and lime.
Besides being an excellent
insulator, it has the
additional benefit of being
carbon-negative.

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written permission of Caren Kershner.
 Factories in Canada are producing the Kestrel, an
electric industrial hemp vehicle. This car weighs
approximately 25% less than a Ford Fusion and gets 25-
30% better mileage. List Price~ $25 000.

Henry Ford built the first fiber-based car in 1941- hemp was one of the
fibers used. Other automobile companies presently using hemp
composites include BMW and Lotus. These composites are used to
replace other plastic and metal parts in the vehicle.
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 Opportunities abound for Colorado hemp farmers.
Dr. Bronner’s will purchase our hemp oil for its soaps. EnviroTextiles in
Glenwood Springs may purchase hemp fiber for its textiles and insulation.
Michigan Hemp Company has offered to purchase all of the I-hemp Colorado
can produce. Groups like Industrial Hemp in Colorado and HempCleans are
working to establish infrastructure and new businesses here. Hemp also
shows promise for phytoremediation in polluted or burn areas.
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Because hemp has the potential to be high in CBDs, a
medicinal phytocannabinoid, there are many
companies that will purchase the hemp in order to
produce ‘medicated’ products.
Some CBD products are currently
undergoing clinical trials to determine
their effectiveness treating epilepsy,
MS, Crohn’s disease and other
ailments. Presently, these products are
made from hemp paste imported from
China.

Could this be the ‘miracle ingredient’ in

remedies of the past? Ask me about the
endocannabinoid system.
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 Other cannabinoids and terpenes are now being
investigated for their medical potential.
Both medical/recreation cannabis and industrial
hemp are classified as Cannabis sativa L.,
although there have been some recent
attempts at botanical reclassification.
However, industrial hemp, by definition of the
state agriculture department, must contain
less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol). The other
cannabinoids are not regulated at the present
time.
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 The food uses of hemp are remarkable.
Hempseed has recently garnered much
attention and is considered a superfood.
Hempseed has been used as a food for humans for thousands of years.

It is high in protein
and unsaturated fats.

It is also a good
choice for animal
feed supplements.
Birds especially seem
to thrive on
hempseed and hemp
oil.
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 There will be markets for hempseed oil and health care items,
raw hempseed, beverages and other food uses.
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Typical nutritional analysis of hulled hemp seeds[10]

Calories/100 g 567 kcal
Protein 30.6
Carbohydrate 10.9
Dietary fiber 6.0
Fat 47.2
Saturated fat 5.2
Palmitic 16:0 3.4
Stearic 18:0 1.5
Monounsaturated fat 5.8
Oleic 18:1 (Omega-9) 5.8
Polyunsaturated fat 36.2
Linoleic 18:2 (Omega-6) 27.6
Linolenic 18:3 (Omega-3) 8.7

Gamma-Linolenic 18:3 (Omega-6) 0.8

Cholesterol 0 mg
Moisture 4.7
Ash 6.6
Vitamin A (B-Carotene) 4.0 IU/100g
Thiamine (Vit B1) 1.4 mg
Riboflavin (Vit B2) 0.3 mg
Pyridoxine (Vit B6) 0.1 mg
Sodium 9.0 mg
Calcium 74.0 mg

Iron 4.7 mg
Hemp ice cream, hemp tofu, hemp burgers- there are
endless possibilities for this low impact plant.
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*These optimal values are based
on a 4 month growing season
with 3 crops harvested per year.
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permission of Caren Kershner.
 Hemp shows promise as an alternative energy source.
Recent research suggests it might be used in place of
graphene for supercapacitors.
Hemp Biodiesel Hemp Ethanol
Hemp biodiesel is the name for a variety of Ethanol is a common additive to gasoline.
ester based oxygenated fuels made from Hemp requires less water to grow than
hemp oil. corn, a traditional source for ethanol
Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport distillation in the US.
because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 Hemp is the most cost-efficient and valuable
times less toxic than table salt, and has a of all the fuel crops we could grow on a
high flashpoint of about 300 F compared scale that could fuel the world.
to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash Hemp ethanol is produced from fermenting
point of 125 F. the stalks of the plant. The stalks are also
When burned in a diesel engine, biodiesel valuable for fiber, construction materials,
replaces the exhaust odor of petroleum papermaking and cannabinoid extractions.
diesel with the pleasant smell of hemp,
popcorn or French fries.
Hemp biodiesel is made from the oil contained
in hemp seeds.

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Caren Kershner.
 Lots of good reasons for wanting to grow
industrial hemp in Colorado….
…but is it going to be a hassle?
• How did the CDA interpret the Colorado
Industrial Hemp Act?
• What are some of the present setbacks?
• Is this really a viable industry for Colorado
farmers?
 Rules Pertaining to the Administration and
Enforcement of the Colorado Industrial Hemp Act
• The Colorado Industrial Hemp Act was created in legislative
session. However, the rules have been developed by the
Colorado Department of Agriculture after several internal
sessions of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and
meetings with the Industrial Hemp Committee. These rules
address:
– Definitions
– Registration
– Reports
– Inspection Program
– Waivers
– Violations and Penalties
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 Registration
• Registration forms are now available from CDA. There are two
classification options on the application:
– Commercial
• Registration fee is $200 plus $1 per acre. Commercial grows
may be done indoors or outdoors, and there is no limit as to
the number of acres that can be grown commercially

– Research and Development

• Registration fee is $100 plus $5 per acre. R&D grows can
only be conducted outdoors this year and are limited to 10
acres.

• GPS coordinates are required on all applications.

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 Reports
• Prior to planting, each commercial hemp registrant shall file a
report with the Commissioner that includes a statement of
verification that the type and variety of hemp to be planted will
contain less than .3% THC on a dry basis and a description of
cultivars and where they are planted.
• At least 7 days prior to harvest, they will file an additional report
that includes documentation that the grower has entered into an
agreement for crop purchase by an in state processor or a
statement of intended disposition of the hemp crop. NO VIABLE
PART OF THE PLANT MAY LEAVE THE STATE.
• Any changes of intent must be reported to the Commissioner within
10 days of the change.
• Growers must report the anticipated harvest date 30 days before
harvest.
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 Inspection Program
• Approximately 1/3 of the growers this season will have their
crops sampled for THC content. Presently, there will be no
tests for other cannabinoids.
• Farmers selected for testing will provide access to the state
inspector to any and all industrial hemp plots.
• The inspector will gather composite samples from each
variety grown and divide the sample into two parts, one for
immediate testing and one for retesting if necessary, and sent
to a lab for quantitative determination of THC content.
• Hemp that tests over the .3% limit may result in suspension
and revocation of the commercial industrial hemp license.
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 Waivers
• R&D growers will have more leeway than commercial
growers this initial growing season.

• They will not be subjected to any penalties if the THC

content of their crop falls between .3% and 1%. The crop
may be destroyed or possibly utilized on site. CDA is
presently working on alternative methods of disposal.

• Commercial growers whose crop tests over .3% may also be

approved /verified by the Commissioner and then may not
be subject to suspension or revocation of their registration.
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 Violations and Penalties
• The following can result in fines or revocation of
the applicant’s registration:
– Refusal to cooperate with the inspection process
– Failure to provide requested information to CDA
– Providing false or misleading information to CDA
– Failure to submit required reports
– Growing industrial hemp with a THC concentration
greater than .3% on a dry weight basis
– Failure to pay fees associated with inspection and
testing costs
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 Potential Setbacks for Colorado
Farmers
• Some of the following
concerns may limit the
amount of hemp grown
this (or any)season:
• Availability of seed
• Water restrictions
• Harvesting equipment
• Processing facilities
• Testing requirements
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 What about Seed?
Do you want to grow for food, fuel, fiber or ???

Oil Crops Fiber Crops

• Plants grown for oil production • Plants grown for fiber production
will typically have shorter will have longer internode
spacing, providing long bast
internode spacing and a heavy fibers.
seed head. • Some examples of fiber cultivars
• Some examples of oil cultivars are: Arlington and Ferramington
are: Finola and Carmen
• Canada presently produces much • China presently produces the
most fiber hemp in the world.
of the world’s oil crop.
• There is a relatively limited gene
• Most hemp cultivars come from pool for hemp due to its ancestry.
European strains.
Some plants, like Carmagnola, are
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used for both food and fiber (dual
• purpose)
 Where Can Farmers Obtain Viable Seed?
What Are Some Issues with Imported Seed?
• Presently, there are several groups working to bring quantities of seed into
Colorado for this year’s planting season. Clones may also be available, but
are best suited for research and development.

• Most plots will require around 20-30# seed/ acre.

• Imported seed is often unpredictable re: both viability and THC content.
Because it is often grown at higher latitudes, it may not be ideal for
Colorado farmers.

• Farmers can link to several of the websites or facebook pages listed at the
end of this presentation for additional information on viable seed
availability.

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 Other Potential Issues
Water Restrictions
• Hemp requires approximately 6-10”
of water during the vegetative
stage and an additional 6-10” of
water during the flowering stage,
depending on soil. This is not a
problem for farmers with irrigation
rights, but may present difficulties
for those who plan to grow R&D
crops using a domestic well as their
water source.
• Domestic well users may not grow
commercial crops at the present
time.
• R&D cultivation must be done
outdoors. The clean-up bill allowing
indoor R&D grows may not take
effect until 2015.
Registration Window
• The registration application window only
runs for 2 months, from March 1, 2014
until May 1, 2014. No applications will be
taken after May 1.
• The application involves some financial
risk, since the present availability of seed
is unclear and fees are involved in order
to register. Many farmers will not plant
until May 15, but will need to submit
their paperwork before May 1.
• Farmers will not be required to divulge
the source of their seed on this year’s
application.
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 Harvesting and Processing
• Colorado’s initial hemp harvest was
completed by hand. Over 40
individuals worked for two days to
complete the harvest.
• Farm equipment will need to be
retrofitted in order to optimize this
process.
• Some processing facilities will be in
place this season, mainly for oil
processing.
• Fiber mills may not be practical for
Colorado due to our short growing
season and the low cost of
imported hemp textiles.
• Because hemp must be processed
before being exported from the
state, there are many possibilities
for those who wish to become
involved this re-emerging industry.
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 It is possible to grow hemp in Colorado. It will require the
development of seed that matures in our growing season and
infrastructure support to make it happen. But in a few years, this
should be a common sight…
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 Despite the challenges, industrial hemp cultivation
shows unlimited potential for Colorado farmers.
• Careful planning will help farmers
overcome the problems resulting
from short growing seasons and
limited water.
• Communication with medical
growers will prevent cross-
pollination and protect both
crops.
• Markets are available for
hempseed and hemp products.
• A few possible markets include
foods, biofuels, textiles, • So, what are you waiting for? The
phytoremediation applications time is ripe!
and building materials.
• The crop requires few pesticides
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and limited additional nutrients.

 Resources for Additional Info
Hemp Cleans- Broomfield, CO, www.hempcleans.com (this is a non-profit Colorado company devoted to hemp legislation
and education)

Paul Lembeck Sativa Labs LLC, Global Heritage Seed Company LLC paul@sativa-labs.com www.sativa-labs.com 617-515-7378 (Testing and seed
development, working with farmers to help them assess their crops and potential cultivars for THC and CBD content. )

http://www.hempfarm.org/Papers/Hemp_Facts.html (Several pages of interesting facts about hemp, divided into categories for easy reference )

Hemp Industry Association- U.S. and Canada, www.thehia.org (membership-based non-profit trade group, representing the interests of
the hemp industry and encouraging the research and development of new products made from industrial hemp, low-THC oilseed and
fiber varieties of Cannabis)

Rocky Mountain Hemp Association- membership organization providing news, education and resources about the emerging hemp industry

Michigan Hemp Company, Joe Brown, National Spokesman/ Project Engineer, MHC/BGNR, 5333 Plainfield Ave Ste.C, Grand Rapids,
MI49525, 616-828-1313 Ext 5, joe@michiganhempcompany.com (seeking Colorado hemp farmers to provide us with hemp hearts,
seeds, seed/stalk oil, root powder, root oil, and hemp powder)

Colorado Industrial Hemp Coalition, an active Facebook group page dedicated to providing education and disseminating information about industrial hemp,
https://www.facebook.com/CoIndHemp

Industrial Hemp in Colorado, seeking to build a viable hemp industry by educating and informing the public and building a community,
https://www.facebook.com/VoteHempYesOn64

Growhempcolorado , a local resource to all things Colorado hemp. Learn more about growing hemp in Colorado, viable hemp seed and plants for sale,
http://www.growhempcolorado.com/

Farm Women for Industrial Hemp, general information, www.facebook.com/pages/Farm-Women-for-Industrial-Hemp/293674470745705

…and many more

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