HITA Responds to Federal Hemp Language:

A 365-Day Opportunity to Build Smart Regulation

This week’s federal language regarding “unregulated hemp-derived products” has raised understandable questions across the industry. We want to provide immediate clarity:

This is not a ban.
The federal government has established a 365-day transition period—a full year for states to build responsible, science-based regulation. This confirms what HITA has long maintained: hemp is too vital to agriculture, business, and consumer access to be shut down overnight.

Today, HITA released an official statement outlining what this transition period means for Arizona and how we will lead over the next 12 months.

In short:

• We have one year to build the regulatory framework Arizona deserves.

• We will work collaboratively with lawmakers, state agencies, law enforcement, public-health partners, and industry leaders.

• We will ensure consumer safety, protect children, and support responsible operators.

• We will turn historic opposition into new collaboration.

• Arizona has an opportunity to get this right.

And as our Executive Director, Sully Sullivan, said best: “We’re going to do what hemp does best — we’re going to grow stronger from this.”

To read the full HITA press statement, click below:

Protect the Future of Hemp in Arizona.

For nearly a decade, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) has led the charge to build a compliant, sustainable, and innovative hemp industry in our state.

We’ve worked hand in hand with lawmakers, regulators, and entrepreneurs to protect Arizona farmers, support small businesses, and defend our right to grow and thrive in this vital new agricultural sector.

But our work isn’t done — and we can’t do it alone.

Every membership and donation directly fuels our fight for fair legislation, education, and innovation in Arizona’s hemp economy. Your support ensures that hemp remains a pathway to jobs, sustainability, and opportunity for generations to come.

Become a Member Today
Stand with Arizona’s hemp leaders and join a community shaping the future of agriculture.

💚 Donate Now
Your contribution keeps HITA’s advocacy strong, our programs active, and our industry growing.

Together, we can keep Arizona’s hemp industry growing — stronger, smarter, and more sustainable than ever.

Standing Up to Save Arizona’s Hemp Industry.

Legal Update: Our Case Is Now at the Arizona Court of Appeals

On June 25, 2025, a Superior Court judge issued a ruling in our legal case challenging the Attorney General’s enforcement against hemp-derived cannabinoids.

The court agreed with us that Arizona law does not distinguish between “intoxicating” and “non-intoxicating” cannabinoids — a critical win.

⚠️ The court denied our injunction but cleared the path for an immediate appeal.

We are moving forward with strength and strategy. Our legal team is preparing an expedited appeal to fight for Arizona’s hemp businesses and consumers.

Act Now - Help Protect Arizona’s Hemp Industry - Donate to the HITA Legal Defense Fund Now!

At the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA), we have spent nearly a decade building a compliant, sustainable, and innovative hemp industry in our state. We’ve worked hand in hand with lawmakers, regulators, and entrepreneurs to ensure that Arizona farmers and small businesses can thrive in this emerging sector.

But now, our very industry is under threat—not from bad actors or economic headwinds, but from government overreach.

Why We Filed a Lawsuit Against the Arizona Attorney General’s Office

Urgent Call for Regulation—HITA Responds to Attorney General Office’s Hemp Announcement

The Arizona Hemp Industry Stands United

What a night! The HITA Mixer brought together the best in hemp, beverages, and innovation, featuring brands like BREZ, High Rise Beverage Co, Elevado, Edwins Elixirs, Climbing Kites, CMC, Oliphant Brewery, Cortez Coffee, and MC Nutraceuticals—plus industry leaders from Hensley & Breakthru Beverage. 🚀

🎤 Speakers included:
🔹 Dan Nowell (Soil, Seed & Water) on the future of American-grown hemp
🔹 Chuck Moore & Steve Cislaw (Elevado, Cero, Chaco Flaco) on THC & non-alcoholic beverages
🔹 Phil Roxbury on hemp construction and sustainable building with Lucky 13 Hemp Supply

🔥 Big Announcements:
✅ Launching the H.E.M.P Initiative – Expanding hemp’s role in fiber, beverages, housing & more!
✅ Building the FIRST hemp-based elementary school in the U.S. 🏗️
✅ HITA continues to protect & grow Arizona’s hemp industry

Let’s build the future with hemp.

HITA Partners to Build America’s First Eco-Hemp Elementary School

HITA is proud to introduce the Hemp Economic Market Prosperity Initiative (H.E.M.P.)—a groundbreaking partnership to build the first elementary school in the United States constructed with industrial hemp.

This pioneering project will utilize sustainable, non-toxic hemp materials, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly educational spaces. More than just a building, this initiative represents a forward-thinking investment in sustainability, early childhood development, and hands-on learning—all while driving innovation and growth in the industrial hemp industry.

DesertSun Hemp Festival 2025

Join us at the DesertSun Hemp Festival® to celebrate the remarkable potential of hemp, support sustainable initiatives, and invest in a brighter future for Arizona and its children. Together, we can usher in a new era of sustainability and community growth. Proceeds of event benefit non-profits around the valley, including the DesertSun Hemp Foundation® working to provide hemp building materials for special projects.

Help Regulate Hemp Derived Products in Arizona

The Hemp-Derived Products (HDP) Safety & Regulation Bill was developed in consultation with the Arizona Department of Agriculture alongside many hemp industry stake holders. The purpose is to update and revise Arizona’s hemp statutes to reflect how the hemp industry has moved forward and evolved since the inception of the Arizona hemp program in 2018.

Economic Impacts of Arizona Pro-Hemp Regulation

Arizona is one of many states that is trying to balance public safety and consumer protection with the support of a nascent industry. With the amount of uncertainty and regulation murkiness at the federal level, the hemp industry is hoping states can adopt sensible regulation without being overly burdensome or restrictive or market opportunities. Regulation at the product level, based on intoxication, would allow for the deployment of age verification, testing and labeling regulations, supported by the hemp industry, without inflicting damaging unintended consequences on existing operators, other sectors and ancillary businesses. This would seemingly address many of the public safety concerns, address bad-actors in the space and fulfill many other public policy objectives.

News & Media Inquires

Email Info@hita-az.org

HEMP APPLICATIONS & FORMS

ABOUT HITA-AZ

Joining the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) means being represented as a community alongside other stakeholders committed to building a strong and sustainable future for hemp in Arizona. In addition to enhanced political representation, HITA membership offers unparalleled networking opportunities; exclusive access to industry information; special training and education opportunities; and local business connections and brand recognition. Our organization backs seed cultivators and testers, growers, manufacturers and distributors, and promoting hemp farming and the hemp industries statewide. Join us as we embark on the hemp opportunities in Arizona. Join our mailing list for more!