SupplySide West Preview: Say Hello to Cannabis

In what is unfortunately a rare occurrence at mainstream ingredient supply trade shows, attendees at this year’s SupplySide West trade show (October 6–10) in Las Vegas can expect to see and hear a lot about hemp. The ingredient-because it is so often confused with marijuana-has been on a hiatus in the U.S. food industry. But now it’s getting its own educational event at SupplySide West: the Agricultural Hemp Summit.

Hemp has experienced a pretty underwhelming recent history in the United States because, aside from consumer misperceptions about this variety of cannabis, it is still illegal to market and sell U.S.-grown hemp. All of this is slowly changing, though. The latest U.S. Farm Bill includes a provision that allows states to run hemp agricultural pilot programs, and many of them are now underway. At least 28 states have introduced pro-hemp legislation, and 15 of them have already passed theirs. As legislative activity leans pro-hemp, manufacturers can be ready to follow. There’s a bounty of fiber, protein, seeds, oils, and seed oils to be exploited from hemp, and they can all be made into viable consumer hemp products. SupplySide West wants everyone to learn about them.

The Agricultural Hemp Summit, sponsored by Cannavest, features six basic presentations about hemp and the future of a U.S. hemp market. But this event is largely focused on hemp cannabinoids and their market potential. A much-needed presentation about U.S. hemp legislation will start up the event, followed by scientific presentations on cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid that is non-psychoactive (unlike THC) and increasingly shown to improve human health conditions, including stress, sleep, and a rare form of epilepsy in children. Speakers for the Agricultural Hemp Summit include university researchers focused on cannabis, experts in product development and research from Cannavest, and a multiple Cannabis Cup winner for highest CBD concentrates.

A whole morning’s worth of hemp education can be yours on October 10 (8:30am–11:30am) if you just register for the event. But do it soon, because registration fees are increasing as the show gets closer.

Robby Gardner
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook magazine
robby.gardner@ubm.com
 

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