praNa Takes Lead in Reviving Hemp Clothing

In the mid-’90s, hemp bracelets and necklaces were ubiquitous among students and cannabis activists. Shirts, jeans, jackets and sneakers made from hemp showed up in shops across the country. High Times opened a store called Planet Hemp in downtown Manhattan.

But the hemp-clothing bubble didn’t last. Companies like Ecolution, Crucial Creations and Ohio Hempery closed their doors. The problem was high costs and inferior hemp imported from countries like China and Romania.

One current company that’s making stylish and practical hemp clothing is the Carlsbad, Calif.-based prAna. Founders and outdoor enthusiasts Beaver and Pam Theodosakis have been selling clothing for 24 years since starting the business in their garage. Their extensive line is available at prana.com and at retail stores like REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Eastern Mountain Sports, as well as their own prAna stores in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and El Segundo, Calif.; Denver and Boulder, Colo.; Portland, Ore.; and Edina, Wash.

“Our founders were introduced to hemp decades ago and always followed its development in apparel,” Andre Walker, who oversees brand engagement and partnerships at prAna, tells Freedom Leaf. “They realized very early on the benefits of the fiber and the minimal environmental impact the plant caused, which has kept it on our design and materials list.”

prAna founders Beaver and Pam Theodosakis

That list includes organic cotton, recycled polyester and spandex, which are blended with Chinese-grown hemp and made into shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, scarves and headbands.

There are many reasons hemp products should be on any eco-conscious consumer’s Top 10 buy list. Hemp replenishes rather than depletes soil and is a bioremediator, meaning it removes toxins from the soil and stores them in the hardy stalks. Hemp also uses fewer water and land resources, enabling farmers to earn more on their crops, and is bacteria-inhibiting, thermo-conductive, fast drying and incredibly durable compared to other fibers.

Twenty years after the first hemp boom, clothing made from cannabis is finally finding a home in the outdoor retail sector. The major clothing chain Patagonia offers a selection of hemp clothing, and retail behemoth Amazon has a relatively limited selection of utilitarian hemp clothes, like T-shirts and socks.

“Hemp doesn’t have any predators, so it’s very easy to grow and requires little to no pesticides or chemicals,” praNa’s Andre Walker explains. “Some farmers in China will actually grow hemp around their crop to protect it from pests and predators.”

In order to eliminate hemp’s somewhat scratchy natural texture, it’s frequently blended. “Hemp’s natural performance features mitigate the need for harsh chemical finishes that are used on alternative fibers to get the same performance features,” adds Walker, who sees California’s legalization of cannabis as a game-changer.

“California should be a true tipping point, as the clear economic, medical and social benefits happening in Colorado can be replicated on a much larger scale. Our customers have always been interested in sustainable materials, and we expect to increase the number of hemp styles as we continue to grow this segment.”

Hemp yoga capris is a popular item in prAna’s catalog.

Although no reasonable person would attempt to smoke a hemp shirt, vendors operating in the hemp industry have nevertheless faced some of the same problems that businesses working with psychoactive marijuana encounter. In October, Umpqua Bank terminated the account of Washington-based hemp clothing and paper retailer Rawganique because it operated in an “excluded line of business.” The conflict was eventually resolved in Rawganique’s favor, but it points to the continued legal murkiness facing hemp businesses.

However, it seems progress is being made. Also in October, Omaha, Neb.-based Bastcore, owner of a decorticator that separates fibers from hemp stalks, announced it would supply Recreator, a California-based hemp clothing company. This deal is an important milestone because Bastcore gets its hemp from Colorado, Kentucky and Minnesota, giving companies like prAna the heretofore-denied opportunity to use hemp made in the U.S.

As it currently stands, the potential for versatile, affordable and fashionable hemp clothing for the masses has yet to be realized. Walker believes hemp legalization is the antidote. “Hemp needs to be legal on state and federal levels to really make an impact in the U.S.,” he contends. “Consumers are more and more aware of the value of the plant and are requesting it not only in apparel, but in a number of other industries.”

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The First Map of the Cannabis Genome

NORML Activists Take Marijuana Reform Fight to Harrisburg

On Tuesday, January 24th, activists from a wide array of Pennsylvania NORML affiliates, allied groups, and state lawmakers took the fight for marijuana law reform to the state capitol building in Harrisburg.

The event co-sponsored by local NORML chapters, the ACLU-PA, and the Keystone Cannabis Coalition. Activists were joined by State Auditor General Eugene Depasquale and State Representatives Ed Gainey and Jordan Harris, and state Senator Sharif Street. The goal was to further the discussion on the full legalization of marijuana and to support legislation currently pending that would decriminalize marijuana possession statewide.

Watch the news coverage below:

Thanks to committed grassroots advocates, we are continuing to make progress nationwide. Get involved and help us relegate marijuana prohibition to the dustbin of history. Click HERE to take action on pending state and federal legislation, click HERE to find your nearest NORML channel and get involved, and click HERE to chip in $5 bucks or more to support NORMLs efforts.

STogether, we WILL legalize marijuana.

Source: http://blog.norml.org/2018/01/24/norml-activists-take-marijuana-reform-fight-to-harrisburg/

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New Jersey: New Governor Calls For ‘Patients First’ Expansion Of State’s Medical Cannabis Access Program

Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Tuesday calling on state regulators to review the state’s eight-year-old medical cannabis access program and to recommend ways to increase participation from patients and physicians.

“Our goal is to modernize the program in New Jersey, bring it up to current standards, and put patients first,” he said.

The Governor’s order mandates state Department of Health and the Board of Medical Examiners to submit recommendations within 60 days on ways to improve the program.

Presently, only five dispensaries statewide are licensed to service an estimated 15,000 patients. Compared to other medical cannabis access states, New Jersey possesses among the lowest rates of participation among eligible patients and doctors. Retail costs for medical cannabis products are also among the highest in the nation.

If you reside in New Jersey, you can urge regulators to take actions to improve the state’s medical cannabis law by clicking here.

Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie routinely voiced his disapproval for the program, which was signed into law by his predecessor Jon Corzine, and he pushed for various rules and regulations to both delay and limit its implementation.

While campaigning for Governor, Murphy pledged to reform the state’s marijuana policies, and spoke in favor of legalizing adult marijuana use.

Again, if you live in New Jersey, take time today to tell regulators to put the interests of New Jersey’s patients first!

Source: http://blog.norml.org/2018/01/24/new-jersey-new-governor-calls-for-patients-first-expansion-of-states-medical-cannabis-access-program/

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Women Grow: ‘Together, We Have More Power’

Women Grow celebrated its third anniversary in August. Coincidentally, it was in August 1937 when President Roosevelt signed the Marihuana Tax Act. It’s now 80 years since that law went into effect, and the cannabis community is still fighting for decriminalization, access to education and resources, and support for patients and legal businesses.

Our cofounder Jane West recently wrote an open letter to the Women Grow community in which she discussed launching the company and the hurdles of building a business in an ever-changing industry, and the reasons why she became a Cornerstone member this year. Her key message was to take action.
When I became CEO of Women Grow last April, my objective was to use my experiences in the technology and retail industries, and focus on supporting new leaders to build strong businesses and strategic partnerships in this industry. I’ve seen Women Grow bring together a community of brilliant minds, remarkable stories and thriving businesses. We must continue moving forward together to overcome challenges.

Also See: Women Grow and the New Rules of Diversity

The pioneers in the cannabis space blazed a trail, clearing a path for both themselves and those following in their footsteps. These individuals have protested for fair policies, pushed for legislation and regulation, and addressed the criminality of the War on Drugs. Women Grow is only able to exist because of these pioneers, and we stand with them: To push for more education, cultivate connections among business leaders, empower one another to bring our best selves to this industry and inspire each other with stories of personal growth.

We have a common goal: To work collectively as a community and take action in many forms. We’re leaders that have the power to create a new standard—to be kind to one another, to commit to building each other up, to promote the idea of profiting with purpose and to pledge to uphold these beliefs. Women are leading the charge in this industry, as women have done so many times before. We can be heard raising our voices as lobbyists, entrepreneurs, professionals and advocates. At every level, we need to raise our hands and our voices to ensure that we’re heard. We will not turn back. Instead, we’ll join hands and shout from the rooftops, “Together, we have more power!”

Join us at the Women Grow Summit in Denver on Feb. 1-2.

Ed Note: Since this article was published in Issue 28, we asked Garcia the following questions:

How did you become Women Grow’s executive director?

I joined the Women Grow headquarters team in 2015 and one year later became Chief Operating Officer. From 2016 to March 2017, I worked closely with two of the former CEOs. When our last CEO (Leah Heise) stepped down last April, I raised my hand for the position. At that point, I knew the company  pretty well and had been working with our market leaders. I felt I could bring something new to the leadership role.

How is Women Grow doing?

Women Grow is doing better. It’s no secret we hit some bumps in the road since launching three years ago, but we’re recovering and building up stronger. Like many new companies, it’s taken us a while to find our footing. As business leaders, we’ve learned from our mistakes and are applying the lessons. Our current great team is small, but filled with talented people who all support our mission. I’m proud of our transition. Expect us to roll out more initiatives in 2018.

How are things going for women in cannabis?

Women are still struggling in the cannabis industry. In our recent report where we partnered with New Frontier Data, the stats show the gaps where women are feeling the struggle. There is certainly an imbalance in our industry. Women of color are faced with challenges in finding support and financing for their businesses. Like other industries, women are dealing with sexual harassment and lack of leadership roles. And we’re hearing from mothers in the industry who still feel threatened by being in this space. That said, we will not give up. We’re still here and fighting for our position and equity in this industry. I can tell you, the women entering into the cannabis industry now are ready to join us as we keep forging forward. We will set a new precedent; women will lead this industry. We have so much power when we work together.

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Source: https://www.freedomleaf.com/women-grow-kristina-garcia/

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Medical Cannabis Protections Extended As Part Of Short Term Federal Budget Agreement

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) addresses NORML members in September, 2017

A recently approved plan by the members of the US House and Senate to temporarily extend federal funding through February 8, 2018 also extends provisions protecting statewide medical cannabis programs from federal interference.

The short-term funding plan authorizes the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment to remain in place for the time being. The amendment, enacted by Congress in 2014, maintains that federal funds cannot be used to prevent states from “implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana.”

Because the provision was initially approved as a budgetary amendment, it must be explicitly re-authorized by Congress as part of either a continuing resolution or a new fiscal year appropriations bill in order to maintain in effect.

Urge Congressional leadership to include a re-authorization of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment in all future spending bills by clicking here.

Explained co-sponsor Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA): “I expect that during this time period, we will be maneuvering on the cannabis issue and the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment. So this is a time for people to make sure that they contact their own member of Congress to make sure that they get behind the amendment for the final bill.”

Presently, the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer is included as part of a Senate finance bill. But this language is absent from the House’s funding proposal because House Rules Committee Chair Peter Sessions (R-TX) refused to allow House members to vote on it. As a result, House and Senate leadership will ultimately decide on the amendment’s fate when when the two chambers’ appropriations bills are reconciled — which may or may not be prior to February 8.

Tell Congress to take action by clicking here.

Source: http://blog.norml.org/2018/01/23/medical-cannabis-protections-extended-as-part-of-short-term-federal-budget-agreement/

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How to Reduce Mold & Contaminants in Indoor, Greenhouse and Outdoor Grows