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The California Hemp Council (CHC) represents the statewide interests of the hemp industry in The Golden State, including the protection and expansion of in-state cultivation, manufacturing, and use of hemp. The main goal of the CHC is to influence legislative and regulatory issues impacting the hemp industry and its related products and to ensure that the industry has a strong, unified voice in Sacramento.
And make your voice heard
OUR MISSION
The California Hemp Council (CHC) was established to provide a strong, unified voice for the hemp industry before the California State Legislature, Office of the Governor, and Executive Branch. Established in 2019, the CHC is dedicated to supporting and expanding the hemp industry in the state, including the protection and expansion of in-state cultivation, manufacturing, and use of hemp.
The California Hemp Council (CHC) was established to provide a strong, unified voice for the hemp industry before the California State Legislature, Office of the Governor, and Executive Branch. Established in 2019, the CHC is dedicated to supporting and expanding the hemp industry in the state, including the protection and expansion of in-state cultivation, manufacturing, and use of hemp.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Hemp Legalization in the U.S
After nearly two decades of education and advocacy efforts at the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) legalized hemp in the U.S. A number of members of the CHC took an active role in supporting passage of the federal farm bill. Now that commercial hemp farming is legal, it is critical that farmers, manufacturers and brands have representation in Sacramento to ensure a robust marketplace in the state.
Hemp Market in California
In California, members of the CHC worked to ensure that the state was ready for hemp legalization at the national level and successfully sponsored and passed state legislation (Senate Bill 1409, Chapter No. 986, Statutes of 2018) to allow California farmers to enter the hemp market and meet the growing demands of hemp product companies.
CHC SERVICES
State Advocacy
Despite recent wins in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, the formal framework for how the hemp industry will begin to operate in California is constantly being debated. There remains a real need to influence proposed laws and regulations regarding hemp production, manufacturing and sale in California. The CHC has the relationships and is the leading voice in Sacramento, advocating on behalf of policy changes that support and expand the hemp industry in the state. A primary role for the CHC is advocacy before the California State Legislature, Office and the Governor, and Executive Branch, including state agencies, departments, boards and commissions. The CHC represents the interests of the California hemp industry through proactive sponsorship of legislation and budget proposals to advance the hemp industry and communicating the hemp industry’s united position on hemp related matters.
Education
Hemp has a long history in the U.S. dating back to the 1700s when hemp was a primary agricultural crop and was used for many types of products such as paper, rope, and lamp fuel. However, starting in the late 1930s, hemp was included in a national tax on cannabis sales which discouraged cultivation and stigmatized hemp. Later it was restricted by its inclusion in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Today the stigma is changing however, much works remains to educate California lawmakers about the many benefits of the hemp industry.
MEMBERS
Board Members
Associate Members
STAFF
Eddie Bernacchi
Director and Legislative Advocate
Mr. Bernacchi is 22-year veteran of the public affairs and lobbying industry in California and President of CHC’s contracted lobbying firm, Politico Group. Through the firm, he has managed a diverse client portfolio that includes interests in manufacturing, construction, chambers of commerce, energy, local government, financing and the hemp industry. Mr. Bernacchi is recognized as an expert on related legislative and regulatory issues and has extensive connections within state government. With a focus on client evolution through bold, value-driven policy-making and decisive political strategy, Mr. Bernacchi has helped craft and lead his clients to successful and historic policy wins time and time again.
Bret Barrow
Legislative Advocate
Mr. Barrow has been registered as a California state lobbyist for over 26 years and has represented the interests of municipal and public utility districts, irrigation districts, joint powers agencies, water districts and local agencies before the Legislature and California’s regulatory and administrative agencies. He also previously managed all legislative, regulatory and communications activity in six western states on issues related to healthcare and manufacturing.
Kiana Valentine
Legislative Advocate
Ms. Valentine has more than 15 years of experience in state politics with a focus on transportation, housing, land use, and local government issues. She has earned a reputation as a skillful and effective advocate, strategic advisor, and relationship builder. Ms. Valentine has experience developing legislative and organizational strategy analyzing and advocating on a diverse range of public policy issues, negotiating and mediating compromise solutions with diverse interest groups, and has experience and success navigating California’s administrative and regulatory processes.
Patrick Goggin
General Counsel
Mr. Goggin is a Senior Attorney at Hoban Law Group. He has waged battle on the legal frontlines of industrial hemp and general cannabis reform for two decades. Mr. Goggin was admitted to the California Bar in 1996 and is based in San Francisco where he served as co-counsel in the seminal HIA v. DEA 2000s cases. Mr. Goggin was a principle player in the industry effort in 2013 to pass California’s Industrial Hemp Farming Act. Presently, Mr. Goggin sits on the boards of both the CHC and Vote Hemp and is working to implement commercial hemp farming processing and manufacturing in California.
RESOURCES
The following is a list of frequently utilized and helpful resources to connect CHC Members to California’s Legislature, the Office of the Governor, the Executive Branch, and capitol political insiders.
Hemp Resources
In the News
The California Hemp Council encourages members and other hemp industry stakeholders to take action on legislative and regulatory matters of importance. The CHC is strongest when our voice is echoed by our individual members and partners. Below is a list of active issues with sample support letters to aid in our collective advocacy efforts.
DONATE TO THE CHC PAC
The California Hemp Council established a Political Action Committee to support advocacy efforts related to the hemp industry. Through the CHC PAC fundraising efforts, the California hemp industry engages with elected officials who support CHC’s mission to protect and expand in-state cultivation, manufacturing, and use of hemp.
JOIN CHC
Participation in the California Hemp Council means helping shape and influence policymaking within the California State Legislature and Executive Branch to support and expand the hemp industry in California. The CHC will focus on significant issues of importance to the hemp industry in the coming years including education about the positive benefits of hemp cultivation, manufacturing, and production, the difference between hemp and medical and recreational cannabis, the regulatory structure, taxation and other issues that will have a significant impact on the ability of hemp businesses to thrive in California, the treatment of hemp derived CBD as a food additive, to name a few.
In addition to influencing California law and regulations, CHC members will have the benefit of building relationships, coalitions, and other partnerships to help you promote and grow your business.
