The Michigan Industrial Hemp Education and Marketing Project has the stated goal of "Working to expand hemp as a natural resource for industrial and private enterprise."
Our mission is to educate the public and state government officials about Industrial Hemp and try to clear up the myths and teach the facts through meetings and seminars and setting up booths at public events. We also will be working to connect consumers and vendors of hemp products in Michigan and in the United States.
We are a 501c (4) non profit organization and funded through membership dues, fund raising events, and donations.
If you are interested in helping out or becoming a member please do not hesitate to contact us.
Membership dues are $10.00 year for basic membership and $15.00 for an enhanced membership, which includes a personalized, email address .
Enhanced membership includes a "@mi-hemp.org", "@mihemp.org" or (most common) "@michiganhemp.org" email address for 5 years (renewals will still be only $10.00/annum during this time) and both regular and enhanced membership includes access to a discussion board.
Interested non-members may also subscribe to infrequent email alerts.
Looking to directly work the hall and offices of Lansing, our direct geographically focused action plan involves YOU in the legislative process. With your 9-digit zip code, we will target both who your State Senator and State Representative in Lansing are. When we meet with your legislators, we will alert you with their contact information, allowing you to contact them to voice your support for our efforts.
In addition, we will let your legislators know how many members are in their district (though we never share your information; numerical information only. See our Privacy Policy). Obviously the more members we have in each district, the more powerful our voice can be in making positive change.
During the next several months we will be pushing forth an agenda to enact legislation allowing for the legal, regulated use of industrial hemp to be grown only for fiber, seed, biomass, etc., and NOT for recreational or medicinal purposes. Remember, the best industrial hemp produces the least valuable medicinal and recreational product, and this organization does not condone the use of such output.
The details of this policy will change over time, and as we communicate with statewide agencies, farmers, law enforcement officials, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and elected officials, details will change. The details -- and thus the text -- are dynamic, so check here often. Members will have access to two forums for their input.
Currently, the Legislative Policy linked below is in the House Committe on Commerce. Contact your legislator to let them know you support this Resolution (remember, this is a Resolution, and does not change the "on-the-book" laws. That change will be possible in the next few months).
Click to EMail Paul Pearson's small marketing company can be found at Delta9Marketing.com. His cell # is 313.622.3429.
With at least 8 years of Web design and corporate communications experience, Paul Pearson was a forming partner of MIHEMP with Everett Swift 4 other dedicated activists.
He works with the Board to facilitate, write and format EMails and Press Release Communications, and is the Webmaster of this site.
Dedicated to the cause, his appearances in media include Casper Leitch's "Time 4 Hemp" podcast, The Peter Werbe Show on Detroit's WRIF Radio, and Fox-2 News Detroit. He is also a spokesperson for several organizations devoted to state/church separation issues.
Click to EMail Donald Barnes can be emailed at DBarnes@MI-Hemp.org. His contact # is xxx.xxx.xxxx.
Donald Barnes, Membership Director, maintains membership information and works with the Executive Director and Communications Director to facilitate smooth partner messaging.
Click to EMail Richard Clements can be emailed at ||||||.org. His contact # is xxx.xxx.xxxx.
Richard Clements, Minority Outreach Director, is also one of the founding Board members.
Click to EMail Nkita Swift can be emailed at ||||.org. Her contact # is xxx.xxx.xxxx.
Nakita Swift, Secretary for MIHEMP, assists her father, the Executive Director, in office duties.
Click to EMail Matt Abel can be emailed at ||||||.org. His contact # is xxx.xxx.xxxx.
Matt Abel is the Legal Counsel for MIHEMP and maintains a busy private practice.
Click to EMail. Jolene Fowler is imtimately involved with the Industrial Hemp business, and - having lived in Canada - is an eyewitness to how the opening of IH can broaden an economy. Her Website is BrokenBuddhasHouse.com/.
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Jolene Fowler (aka The Hemptress) is a "hempie" who has grown up on the shores of Lake Michigan. She makes hardcore hemp wear for hardcore "hempsters". She has been designing jewelry since she was a child and making hemp jewelry for over a decade, which started her support for and love affair with this eco-friendly fiber.
Broken Buddha's House is her Michigan-based hemp company, which can be seen in the summer at many events around the state. Jolene studied film and video production at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her focus was on documentary and community organizing. During her time in Canada, she watched and worked with the Canadian movement and got to witness what the legalization of industrial hemp did for the Canadian economy.
She has a BFA from York University. She currently lives in Emmet County, MI, with her new baby Atticus, where she works on building her business. Jolene is currently a Board Member, the Fundraising Director, of MI-HEMP.
Bruce Hartdegen is the newest member of the MI-HEMP board.
{Click BIO for more info}
With a BBA in Management and a professional background in personal financial planning, retail management, payroll administration, real estate management and lease administration, Bruce has been an active supporter in the preservation of individual liberties through the Campaign For Liberty and other pro-individual rights organizations.
Bruce is also a member of the Michigan Antique Radio Club and the Western Wayne County Conservation Association (WWCCA), where he organized a statewide (Michigan) pro-rights event for the WWCCA membership and the general public.
Click to EMail Everett Swift can be emailed at ESwift@MI-Hemp.org. His contact # is 989.884.1139.
Everett Swift is the Executive Director of the Michigan Industrial Hemp Education and Marketing Project, MI-HEMP (and created the convenient initialism). The organization was formed in 2008 with 5 other members, who all unanimously voted to place Everett in the important position of E.D.
He successfully made the County Commissioner Board of his county debate his Hemp Resolution 3 times. These efforts are improving the outreach and familiarity of hemp and its industrial and ecological uses among the populous and elected officials.
He ran for State Representative in 2008 and is currently trying to obtain a seat on the County Commissioner Board of Montmorency County.
He currently lives in Hillman, MI, but has travelled the state extensively in promotion of the cause.
About Us
Click to EMail
With at least 8 years of Web design and corporate communications experience, Paul Pearson was a forming partner of MIHEMP with Everett Swift 4 other dedicated activists.