American hemp farmers are reeling after Republicans slipped a provision banning intoxicating hemp products into the deal to reopen the government. Now, industry insiders say that the hemp industry is about to leap into action to overturn the ban — or face destruction.

Lukas Gilkey is the co-founder and CEO of Hometown Hero, an Austin, Texas-based hemp business that employs about 200 people across three locations and two states. He told Salon that if the new law were allowed to go into effect, it would destroy his business.

“We’re now looking at a potential 0.4 milligram per container THC limit, which effectively would outlaw full-spectrum chapstick, pet treats — I mean, a lot of things that are not necessarily psychoactive,” Gilkey said. “That, I think, is what they’re going after. But i

See Full Page