Stability Not Fragility 

I grow hemp for a living and right now my livelihood is hanging in the balance. Decisions being debated in Congress could destroy an entire growing season with the stroke of a pen. This would leave farmers like me with no market, no income and no way to recover. It would also devastate the 25 employees I support, which includes veterans. This is not just about government policies, it is about whether family farms survive.

The hemp we raise feeds a legal, regulated industry that provides real relief to veterans struggling with PTSD, seniors living with chronic pain and working families who have exhausted other options. We follow strict rules, invest heavily in compliance and do everything asked of us. A blanket ban would not make the public safer; it would simply push demand underground while punishing farmers who played by the rules.

President Trump’s recent executive order gave farmers a brief sense of stability and recognized the damage caused by uncertainty and rushed policymaking. But this stability is fragile. If Congress fails to act responsibly, years of investment, planning and trust will be erased.

Farmers are not asking for special treatment – we are asking for fairness. Smart regulation is necessary. An outright ban is devastating. Jeff Hurd and Congress must step in now to protect consumers, preserve lawful markets and ensure that American hemp farmers are not sacrificed in the process.

Ryan Eakes, Farmer
Montrose, Colorado