The Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) will return to court on Thursday, June 20th at 1:30 PM (PST) for a pivotal hearing on our motion for a Preliminary Injunction (PI). At this hearing, the judge is expected to issue a ruling that will determine whether Arizona’s hemp businesses can legally operate while our broader constitutional challenge moves forward.
Read MoreOn April 30, 2025, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) held a press conference announcing legal action against the Attorney General and county officials for their unlawful enforcement raids on licensed hemp businesses. These actions threaten an entire sector of Arizona's economy—one built by farmers, veterans, healthcare professionals, and small business owners operating under existing law.
Read MoreIn this installment of our legal interview series, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ) speaks with Jon Udell, an experienced policy attorney and cannabis reform advocate. His message is clear: the state’s unlawful enforcement of hemp regulations isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a direct attack on Arizona’s small businesses, consumers, and economic stability.
Read MoreContinuing our legal interview series, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ) sits down with longtime cannabis attorney Tom Dean to discuss the urgent legal threats facing hemp in Arizona—and what this case means for the industry nationwide.
Tom brings decades of courtroom experience and a deep understanding of cannabis law, offering a clear view of how Arizona's enforcement approach is not only flawed—but dangerous if left unchallenged.
Read MoreAs Arizona’s hemp industry faces an unprecedented legal challenge, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ) is proud to launch a new legal interview series with the attorneys leading our fight in court.
We begin with Julie Gunnigle, a respected civil rights attorney and former Maricopa County Attorney candidate, who brings deep insight into the constitutional stakes of the case. Her message is clear: this lawsuit isn’t just about hemp—it’s about your rights.
Read MoreAt 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
Read MoreThis past weekend in Tucson, something truly remarkable happened—the Hemp Industry Trade Association (HITA) was proud to be there to witness it, support it, and help capture its impact.
The Second Hemp Building Workshop, hosted by Old Pueblo Hemp Co., wasn’t just an event—it was a bold, hands-on declaration that hemp is here to stay. And it’s building more than structures: it’s building community, careers, regenerative systems, and hope.
Read MoreWith a mission to elevate businesses through finance, strategy, and technology, Alternative Horizons Group provides comprehensive business solutions—ranging from payment processing and fraud prevention to marketing, web development, and regulatory compliance. Their tailored approach ensures hemp businesses and high-risk industries have the tools they need to succeed in a competitive and highly regulated marketplace.
Read Morehis morning, Hemp Industry Trade Association (HITA) Executive Director Sully Sullivan joined NPR’s Mark Brodie to discuss the urgent need for hemp regulation in Arizona. With the Attorney General’s recent announcement, thousands of jobs, small businesses, and rural farmers face uncertainty—despite the fact that hemp is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
During the interview, Sully highlighted how clear, responsible regulations would provide the necessary framework to protect consumers, businesses, and the state’s economy—without conflicting with federal law or interstate commerce protections.
Read MoreAs part of this exclusive initiative, HITA-AZ members and industry stakeholders are invited to a free, 45-minute webinar on April 16, 2025, at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET). This session will introduce participants to the State Affairs platform, demonstrating how it can be a powerful tool for tracking legislation, accessing expert analysis, and receiving timely policy updates. The webinar will include a Q&A session to address specific questions from attendees.
Read MoreThe Hemp Industry Trade Association (HITA) is calling on lawmakers to pass hemp regulations this year to provide clarity for the industry and prevent unnecessary enforcement actions that violate federal law and interstate commerce protections.
Read More“We are thrilled to welcome High Rise to Arizona and to have them as part of the HITA family,” said Sully Sullivan, Executive Director of HITA. “Their expertise, vision, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our mission to protect and grow Arizona’s hemp industry. As we continue advocating for fair regulations and fostering a thriving marketplace, having innovative leaders like High Rise onboard strengthens our collective efforts.”
Read MoreWhat an incredible weekend at the M3Fest in Phoenix! A huge shoutout to Elevado Drinks, the exclusive provider of THC beverages, for leading the way with their handcrafted, micro-dosed THC cocktails.
Read MoreDan Nowell, a valued HITA member, is a true pioneer in Arizona’s hemp industry, leading the charge in sustainable agriculture. With five years of experience growing hemp in Arizona’s challenging climate, Dan has navigated every obstacle with determination. He is an expert in soil, seed, and water, owning the largest worm farm in the country and dedicating his work to water conservation and regenerative farming.
Read MoreThe Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) is proud to support Old Pueblo Hemp Company as they continue to pioneer hemp-based construction and education right here in Arizona. This March, founder Micaela Machado and her team are hosting a three-day Hemp Building Workshop in Tucson, Arizona, bringing together experts, enthusiasts, and innovators to explore hempcrete and sustainable building practices.
Read MoreThe estimated $28.4 billion hemp industry, as reported by Forbes, underscores the significant economic impact and consumer demand driving this sector. Total demand potential for hemp products in Arizona is an estimated $699M. The post-regulated Arizona hemp market would create 8,091 jobs, pay approximately $324.8M in wages, and generate up to $39.1M in sales taxes.
Read MoreThese hemp-derived products are legal at the federal and state level, but currently have no regulatory oversight. The federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill clearly and unambiguously defines these products as legal so long as they are no greater than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. Rulings of multiple state and federal courts have clarified and confirmed that hemp-derived products are legal at the state and federal level.
Read MoreArizona 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 regulator 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.
Read MoreSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 19, 2019) — The business of hemp has officially arrived in Arizona. The state’s newest business-to-business organization, Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ), debuted to a standing room only crowd of more than 350 agricultural experts, business leaders and entrepreneurs on April 11th in Scottsdale.
HITA-AZ is the first hemp-specific, non-governmental agricultural organization in the state. Co-founded by hemp experts Sully Sullivan, Laura Franklin and Danielle Sedgwick, the inaugural meeting featured six high-profile hemp experts including policy makers from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Last May, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1098 which allows the department to license qualified applicants to grow and process industrial hemp in the state commencing in summer 2019.
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