The 2018 Hemp Industries Association Conference revealed a thriving industry that’s growing rapidly and passionate about the future of hemp.

Ministry of Hemp just returned from the Los Angeles Airport Hilton, where “HIACON 2018” took place from November 2 through 5. Hemp will be a billion dollar industry soon, even though this plant still exists in a legal gray area in the United States. Industry leaders and newcomers alike gathered at the conference to share their newest ideas, and get a better understanding of hemp’s future as those laws shift.

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In addition, a two day exposition showcased hemp and CBD products ranging from established brands and freshly launched innovators. The expo was open to the public for one day, and numerous LA residents and tourists alike stopped by to see the offerings.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Hemp Industries Association, a sign that they’ve cemented their leadership role in the industry. A packed schedule of workshops and panels brought the highs and lows of hemp to life for the audience. Here are some favorites from our visit to HIACON 2018.

HIACON 2018 LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF HEMP FARMING IN AMERICA

Of course, one of the biggest topics of discussion at the conference was hemp’s legal status.

After decades of prohibition, hemp was partially legalized in the 2014 Farm Bill which allowed for state-based hemp research programs. U.S. farmers grew over 25,000 acres of hemp last year, but there have still been legal challenges and numerous barriers to the industry’s growth, mostly at the federal level. An effort led by Sen. Mitch McConnell resulted in a historic amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill which would make dramatic changes to U.S. hemp laws by officially taking it out of the purview of the Drug Enforcement Administration and into that of the Department of Agriculture and the Food & Drug Administration.

The @HobanLawGroup is giving a presentation on the 2018 #FarmBill, it's potential and its future. The bill would remove #hemp and #CBD from the Controlled Substances Act but its not without controversy even in the industry. #HIACON pic.twitter.com/6PSyEdfC5P — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

Unfortunately, political upheaval in Congress, and politicians’ focus on midterm elections, left the Farm Bill’s future somewhat uncertain. Most of the conflict is not about hemp, but rather other controversial provisions in the bill which cover issues like food stamps. In one of many well-attended legal discussions, Jonathan Miller of U.S. Hemp Roundtable joined representatives of Hoban Law Group, who are some of the country’s top cannabis & hemp lawyers. Miller speculated that the midterm elections could be good for hemp.

Jonathan Miller of @HempRoundtable is hopeful the "felony provision" in the 2018 #FarmBill might face opposition from a Democratic house, depending on the results of the midterm elections. #HIACON — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

2018 HEMP INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF FARM BILL, CANNABIS PODCASTS & MORE

A newly Democratic U.S. House of Representatives could also be the best chance for changing the hemp legalization amendment’s most controversial provision. The Senate version of the 2018 Farm Bill contains a clause that bans anyone with a felony drug conviction from growing hemp. Currently, the House version of the Farm Bill doesn’t contain any hemp legalization language at all, opening a window where some fixes could be introduced.

Courtney Moran discussing the many previous failed attempts to make #hemp fully legal before today's historic #FarmBill amendment. #HIACON pic.twitter.com/vau1tfvgWG — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

Later, hemp lawyer & lobbyist Courtney Moran explained how the Farm Bill would change 6 different federal statutes and change the policies of multiple government agencies. She also suggested some alternatives to the drug felony provision of the current version of the Farm Bill:

Moran is urging the US government to reform the #FarmBill hemp legalization provision which would ban anyone with a felony drug conviction from growing #hemp. She's proposed some alternatives to allow people into the industry after a time. #HIACON #WarOnDrugs pic.twitter.com/2zrlQJK7fJ — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

While any felony ban seems regrettable to us, Moran suggested what could be temporary solutions to allow some people to remain in the hemp industry. These include changing the ban to exempt anyone whose felony is more than 10 years old.

Dr. Karyemaitre Aliffe, a biochemist and cannabis expert that works with Charlotte’s Web, gave another great presentation. Dr. Aliffe discussed the similarities between how cannabinoids like CBD work on the brain with the action of everyday pharmaceuticals like Tylenol:

Dr. Karyemaitre Aliffe at #HIACON talking about how psychotropic (mind altering) substances are commonplace and beneficial. Did you know Tylenol and #CBD activate the similar parts of the brain? #science pic.twitter.com/CEAE8oNhe2 — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

Annie Rouse of Anavii Market introduced us to Harry Anslinger, the first drug czar, the subject of her fascinating “Anslinger” podcast. The second season is about to launch!

Annie Rouse delivers a riveting address abt Harry Anslinger (the 1st commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics & largely responsible for America's drug policies).

Check out Annie's podcast "Anslinger: The Untold Cannabis Consoiracy".#HIACON pic.twitter.com/DPShYMKADo — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 5, 2018

We also loved hearing an update from Kris Kimel of Space Tango about their successful effort to send hemp into space.

HEMP. IN. SPACE. Kris Kimel of @space_tango delivers a jaw-dropping presentation abt sending #hemp to space to study the biology and quality of the crop without the influence of gravity.

We've written about Kris and Space Tango before: https://t.co/LZn5fHa99J#HIACON pic.twitter.com/5MdrjEOEIv — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

There were too many other great panels to mention them all, but it’s safe to say everyone came away from HIACON 2018 more informed than they arrived.

HIACON 2018: FROM CBD POPCORN TO HEMP FASHION

We loved seeing the innovation from new CBD brands at the 2018 Hemp Industries Association Conference. We got to meet Brett Levy from Holsticorn, inventor of CBD-infused popcorn:

Wonderful speaking to @holisticorn CEO Brett Levy. Purely THC-free & w a 90% absorption rate, Holistic Corn alleviates stress, anxiety, depression, and slow thyroid issues.

Some users report it helps treat symptoms of their Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.#HIACON pic.twitter.com/jlMkYLd408 — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

Kazmira let us sample their delicious CBD vapes:

Enjoyed speaking w @Kazmira_llc about working at the intersection of biotechnology & manufacturing excellence, and how "all THC-free isn't equal".

Third party labs find Kazmira's THC-level "non-detect", making their THC-Free Full Spectrum CBD Oil an "industry-first".#HIACON pic.twitter.com/3USKNBYfPE — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

And all weekend, people were sipping delicious CBD seltzer from Queen City Hemp, with 5 mg of CBD in each can.

Delicious lavender lemon #cbd seltzer from @queencityhemp! Everybody is sipping this tasty stuff at #HIACON this weekend and you can see why! Yum. #hempgrams https://t.co/WT4C1ApyMc pic.twitter.com/m62nerMCQy — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

Established hemp brands also brought their best to HIACON 2018. We browsed the latest hemp fashions from Vital Hemp:

Vital Hemp has been making stylish retail hemp clothing for 15 years. Basically they're The GAP of hemp.

Now doing logowear, their goal is to reach out to all natural companies, and provide their hemp t-shirts (we think this is a great goal).https://t.co/aiAMo86oGS #HIACON pic.twitter.com/vgOJxM78XR — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

And basked in the natural vibes of the Charlotte’s Web booth, complete with a fake campfire:

Wow! @charlottesweb going all out with their booth at #HIACON! Love the campfire vibe. pic.twitter.com/Pul0H9GNbM — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 3, 2018

We also enjoyed a sneak preview of Lazarus Naturals beautiful new CBD tincture labels, which should help CBD consumers make more informed decisions about dosing.

We were already fans of @lazarusnaturals #cbd and we just love their new labeling with its bright colors and super easy to read product information. Well done! #HIACON pic.twitter.com/8YyEFfX3wu — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

And of course, no hemp expo would be complete without Dr. Bronner:

Jessie at @drbronner told us she's loving how much there is to learn and do at #HIACON! We love Dr. Bronner and their incredible support for a #sustainable, ethical hemp industry. ? #hempgrams https://t.co/0GXx4dWRA5 pic.twitter.com/UcIUu80Fp2 — Ministry of Hemp (@MinistryofHemp) November 4, 2018

There’s so much happening in hemp that it can’t be contained in any one article, or any one event. More than anything, we saw a hemp industry full of people that are passionate about hemp, and determined to help hemp spread across the planet.

Special thanks to Beowulf Jones for covering HIACON 2018 with us and contributing to this article.