SunIQ: What we realized as we began to look more closely at what was happening in the hemp market is that at every step of the process, there are significant challenges being faced by farmers and processors which, if not addressed, significantly compromise the efficacy of products when delivered to consumers. At the farm level, this starts as early as the soil. Hemp has a taproot, so it pulls heavy metals from the soil, if you don’t have a full soil test before you start growing, you could end up putting intensely concentrated heavy metals into products by the time the plant goes through drying, extraction and formulation. These types of challenges exist in harvest, drying, extraction, and on the independent lab level as well, and because this is a new industry there is very little regulation being enforced to make sure that good practices are being followed. Our promise is to deliver best practices and the highest levels of quality control at every stage of the process, so that when you buy our flower, extracts and formulations, you know that you are getting a quality supply.
Q&A 3
CIM: What is the Farm to Wellness Model?
SunIQ: There’s a sign hanging in downtown Grants Pass, in Southern Oregon, the region I grew up in, actually, which says “It’s the Climate.” It wasn’t intended to refer to hemp, but it’s absolutely perfect! Oregon, especially the Rogue Valley part of Southern Oregon, has a near perfect climate for growing hemp, the water is very clean and there is high availability of great soil due to a strong organic farming community for the past few decades in Oregon. All of these things are critically important for growing a plant which pulls everything into it through its root structure, good or bad. In addition to the climate, Oregon actually legalized hemp under the 2014 Farm Bill pilot program so it’s a more mature marketplace than almost any other state outside of Colorado. Oregon is on the leading-edge for hemp, which gives us a strong first mover advantage in the national market.
Q&A 4
CIM: Why did you chose Oregon to prove your Farm to Wellness Model?
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