“The federal hemp bill would basically eliminate full-spectrum products,” said Brett Mayo, Sweetwater’s chief extraction officer, as he walked through the warehouse. “You would be working with broad-spectrum products with no THC, which with my process you can’t really do. Everything we do takes everything from the plant – and the plant, naturally, is gonna have some THC in it.”
Most hemp grown in the United States is used for cannabinoid extraction because it provides the strongest financial return. Fiber and seed markets exist but remain smaller and still developing.
“Everyone loves the idea of, you know, hemp world, where all the sidewalks are made out of hemp and all the houses are made out of hemp,” Cabrera said. “Realistically, however, that’s the future, right? If you want to keep farmers around so they can survive and contribute to that hemp future, you must be able to allow them to be able to sell into these end markets.”
Some states focus heavily on fiber production which supports industries such as textiles construction materials and animal bedding. Even so, limited processing facilities make it difficult to scale operations.
“It’s not like taking your corn or soybeans to the local elevator,” he said. “Whether you like the price or not, at least there’s always a place to go with it. We’re building those supply chains, and we’re optimistic, but it’s not perfect and all ironed out by any means.”
Hemp acreage is rising again after years of decline. Industry groups support sensible regulation including testing labeling and age limits instead of bans that could damage a growing agricultural sector.