Local Cannabiz Hometown Hero Fought Delta-8 Ban and Won: “Hemp and cannabis industries here in Texas have never had a brighter future” – Food

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Courtesy Hometown Hero

The first time many consumers came across the term “Delta-8 THC” came from a February 2021 New York Times article about an Austin-based cannabusiness, Hometown Hero. The manufacturer and distributor of Delta-8 THC, CBD and eJuice was founded in 2015 by US Coast Guard veteran Lukas Gilkey and focuses on high quality products and active donations to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization. They were also on the front lines in the fight against the Delta 8 THC ban in Texas.

Gilkey and the company have partnered with other Delta-8 providers and the Texas Hemp Federation to stop House Act 3948 in the Texas 2021 legislature. If it had passed, HB 3948 would have made Delta-8 THC – a hemp-derived cannabinoid legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill – illegal. (This cannabinoid, like its better-known counterpart, Delta-9 THC, is psychoactive and unlike the popular CBD.) After no agreement on changes was reached between the House and Senate versions of HB 3948, the bill died.

“Although we are a very young industry, we have proven that the Delta-8 industry has the ability to combat excessive and unnecessary cannabis regulation,” said Gilkey.

Austin Chronicle: What’s Your Origin Story About Cannabiz? Was there a particular life event, philosophy, or professional career that drove you into space?

Lukas Gilkey: We have a great one [YouTube] Video that delves deep into the background of the company founding here. We started very small; In the early days of Hometown Hero, I sold e-liquid to vapor shops as a cigarette alternative out of my car, but now I’m CEO of a fast growing developer and distributor of CBD and Delta-8 products.

With regard to what happened in the cannabis field that led us to sell THC products, it was the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized the widespread cultivation and distribution of hemp and, in particular, allowed the sale of most of the plant’s by-products. Delta-8 THC is legally allowed under the latest Farm Bill because it does not meet the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act and is obtained from the legal hemp plant.

While we have been selling other products since 2015, we started offering Delta-8 THC after this legislation was passed and we are pleased to be one of the leading sellers of this trending product.

We currently only ship to the 38 states that allow Delta-8 THC products to be sold, and we are always up to date on any legislative changes to ensure we adhere to them. As our industry continues to evolve, we work closely with our legal experts to ensure we are up to date with the latest legislation as new regulations come into play and before laws are changed. This strategy enables us as a company to remain agile and competitive. Right now we’re not worried about Delta-8 THC going illegal as the current presidential government is focused on legalizing marijuana.

AC: With regard to Delta-8 THC specifically, in your words, tell us what consumers can expect from the gums. How does experience show that it differs from CBD and THC (Delta-9)? Are there any differences in your Delta 8 products compared to others in the industry?

LG: Our customers describe their Delta-8 experience as a relaxing body feeling with a slight euphoric feeling, but without the intoxicating and potentially overwhelming side effects of Delta-9-THC (found in marijuana). The most important difference between Delta-8 THC and CBD for a consumer is the effects when consumed. CBD has much more subtle effects on the body, with Delta-8 THC giving a more visceral and deep uplifting sensation. While substantial amounts of CBD are usually recommended to see effects, Delta-8 can be used in small, single doses to see the benefits immediately.

The main difference between our products and those of our competitors is that we use Delta-8 THC, which is naturally derived from hemp. Most of the Delta-8-THC on the market is made by converting CBD to Delta-8-THC. In Hometown Hero products, we use the Delta-8 THC, which occurs naturally in legal hemp. In this way, our end users receive the highest quality product available.

In addition, we apply strict quality standards to all of our products. We are in the process of having all of our products tested in a DEA certified laboratory, which gives us the most robust laboratory tests in the industry. Finding and working with a DEA certified lab was a lot harder than we expected, but over the next few weeks we’ll be the first Delta 8 THC company to do this type of test.

AC: How would a Delta-8 ban affect Hometown Hero’s business? What would it mean (to you) about the overall health of cannabis in Texas (and in the US)?

LG: We have always worked closely with our lawyers to make sure we are complying with current legislation and knowing what changes may be in the pipeline. This is why we could see the Texas Delta-8 THC legislation coming and have worked with the Texas Hemp Federation and others in our industry to prevent it from happening.

We are very proud of the work our industry is doing in Texas to prevent the ban on this beneficial cannabinoid that is helping so many in our great state. Texas has traditionally been a very conservative state when it comes to cannabis. With the results of the recent legislature, the hemp and cannabis industry here in Texas has never had a better future.

AC: Tell me about Hometown Hero’s Veterans Support Program.

LG: As a Coast Guard veteran, it is extremely important for me and my team to donate to the men and women who serve our country. Every year Hometown Hero donates a portion of our profits to charities that benefit veterans. The past year has been a particularly challenging one for veterans in the United States. Many of them have pre-existing conditions attributable to deaths from COVID-19 and are having a hard time getting proper care (many veterans also find relief using our products). In 2020, we donated $ 25,000 to the Texas VFW and Disabled American Veterans.

Due to recent company growth due to the popularity of Delta-8 THC, we were able to make an impromptu donation of $ 10,000 to Soldiers’ Angels of San Antonio, Texas, in March 2021. Our goal is to donate more money to veteran charities this year than ever before.

AC: What else would you like our readers to know about Delta-8, Cannabusiness or Hometown Hero?

LG: Hometown Hero’s Delta-8 products are 100% naturally derived from hemp, which is not broken down in any way. During manufacture, the products are registered with government agencies to ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place. This is something we are proud of and very few, if any, other Delta-8 companies can say.

Our most popular products are the Delta-8 rubbers and Delta-8 joints, and we scale very quickly; According to the New York Times article, we had a full year of growth in just a few days. This has allowed us to donate more than ever to veteran charities and to legislate for our industry.

Hometownherocbd.com

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