Agenda

2024 Conference Schedule Overview

Join us for the 21st Annual European Industrial Hemp Association Conference, a dynamic two-day event bringing together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers and experts to explore the latest advancements and opportunities in the hemp sector. From innovative technologies to regulatory insights, this conference promises engaging discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies to drive the future of industrial hemp across Europe and beyond.

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03

Day 01 - 5 June 2024

02:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Coffee (open for EIHA Members Only)

02:30 - 6:00

EIHA General Meeting (open for EIHA Members Only)

Meet with other members of EIHA (30min break at 4:00)

19:00-21.00

Networking Dinner (open for EIHA Members Only)

Day 02 - 6 June 2024

08.30-09.00

Registration and welcome coffee

09.00-9:05

Welcome and Introductions

Speakers

Daniel Kruse

Daniel Kruse, a pioneer of the hemp industry for more than 26 years, is founder and managing director of Hempro International GmbH and HempConsult GmbH, two of Europe`s leading hemp players. Kruse has more than 16 years of experience in hemp food production.

Hempro Int. (founded in 2002), one of Europe’s first and largest hemp food companies, produces raw material (seeds, hulled nuts, oil, protein) and offers branded hemp foods under the HANF FARM label.

Based on a strong international network HempConsult (founded 2012) follows industry trends and developments on the global hemp markets, conducts market research and serves entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors and other stakeholders of the industry as a consultant for the development of strategic goals and their successful and sustainable implementation.

Since 2013, Kruse has served as a board member of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). In 2019, he was elected president of EIHA for the first time and re- elected for another term in 2021.

At the EIHA Kruse is particularly active in his field of knowledge of cannabinoids in foods. Already since 2002 he has been working on the topic of THC in food and on CBD since 2012. His cooperation with international experts and the advisory committee of EIHA combines the profound know-how from practice and science in the hemp and food industry. In course of this cooperation, various position papers and studies on THC and CBD in food have been drawn up and published.

Kruse represents industrial hemp stakeholders in front of the European Union and German governments, where his work has helped to advance the legal and regulatory framework for the hemp industry.

Trained as a banker, Kruse studied finance at Green Bay University in Wisconsin (USA) and Duesseldorf (Germany). He opened “HanfHaus,” a retail hemp retail shop in 1996, and in 1999 became Head of Sales as well as partner at HanfHaus GmbH in Berlin. Kruse founded Hempro International in 2002 to advance the development of hemp products, and to realise his vision: the successful combination of ecology and economy.

cath

Lorenza Romanese

Lorenza is the Managing Director of EIHA. Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is an experienced policy advisor and communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s efforts in Brussels since February 2019, having worked with a number of MEPs to propose reforms affecting hemp in the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy. Lorenza previously advised interests in the oil and gas sector and led the European Association of independent Winegrowers.

Lorenza helped to put together in November 2019 a Consortium of companies in EIHA conducting CBD and THC toxicological studies in humans and animals. She is currently overseeing parts of the regulatory process and scientific approach.

Lorenza was appointed in March 2022 as co-chair of the policy and regulation committee of FIHO (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), a global association that identifies and creates opportunities to scale sustainable hemp production, marketing, and trade.

09.05-9:15

Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Jola Huijberts

Agricultural policy professional with a multidisciplinary background. Her broad experience at the agriculture department of the European Commission and master’s degrees in Ecological Economics and International Relations offer both qualitative and quantitative skills in the field of sustainable food systems, ecology, economics, European law, and political science.

09.15-10.30

Hemp in the carbon credit markets

Moderator

Catherine Wilson

Catherine is the Vice President of EIHA and she is based in the UK. Catherine’s primary focus is promoting hemp fibres, a carbon negative raw material, and assisting the development of large scale, decarbonised industrial and consumer products to meet the forthcoming challenges of achieving a net zero economy by 2050. Catherine joined EIHA’s advisory board in 2017 and was voted Vice President in 2019. She has a background in recycling and secondary raw material recovery and played an instrumental role in developing the operational framework of the WEEE (Waste Electrics and Electronics Equipment) Directive in the UK. In 2015 she founded CannaWell, one of the early hemp CBD oil companies in the UK. On behalf of EIHA, Catherine liaises with regulatory agencies in the UK since 2016 and is part of the novel food working group.

Speakers

Jamie Bartley

Jamie Bartley is the CEO of the Unyte Group and also Chairs the Cannabis Industry Councils Hemp subgroup, working closely with the UK Government via the APPG for Industrial Hemp and CBD products. Having launched the group in 2019, with a diverse set of business units covering Hemp, Energy, Waste and Medicinal, the focus has always been the improvement of human and planetary health. Jamie’s passion is about impact at scale, as this is the only way we will achieve the net zero targets, therefore focussing on the decarbonisation of construction products and bio char as scalable solutions that Hemp can provide.

Christophe Nourissier

Christophe Nourissier

Christophe Nourissier is a carbon credits project manager. He has been an observer and actor on carbon markets for the last 4 years, is Head of carbon mitigation projects for Augur Associates, a consultancy specialised in cannabis and hemp.

Together with Augue Associates they have issued and sold the first hempcrete-based carbon credits and are continuously working to expand the scope of carbon certification for the hemp sector.

A former green lobbyist and political advisor, Christophe shifted to ESG and sustainability consulting before joining Augur as an environmental expert and co-founding Augur ESG & Augur Hemp. He thrives in supporting innovative and green companies, creating sustainable business models and navigating the voluntary carbon market.

Grégoire Guirauden

Grégoire Guirauden is the co-founder and Head of Carbon Partnerships at Riverse, a leading carbon credit standard for European greentech companies. Riverse has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking methodologies to issue carbon credits. for biobased construction materials and biochar, offering tangible solutions to project developers and corporates which want to support industrial decarbonization.

Riverse works have been particularly impactful in the realm of hemp-based projects, where Riverse has worked closely with several initiatives across Europe. By leveraging the environmental benefits of hemp, such as its carbon sequestration capabilities and its role in creating sustainable building materials, Riverse is becoming as a key player in the carbon monetization for hemp projects.

10.30-11.00

Coffee Break

11.00-12.30

How will hemp building materials achieve wider acceptance

Moderator

Steve Allin

Working with hemp materials in construction projects since 1997, Steve Allin has gained invaluable knowledge about which materials to use, where, and how. He is always happy to answer questions and discuss projects.

Steve Allin has enthusiastically pioneered the use of hemp in building in Ireland and internationally since 1997 and is the author of the pre-eminent book “Building with Hemp” (2005) 2nd Edition (2012). His latest book is “Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies” (2021).

In his activities connected to actually using the materials, he has experimented with many different combinations of ingredients to create a binder for hempcrete and has consulted with different projects all over the world. As a hemp building consultant, he has advised on projects in Belgium, Canada, Haiti, Ireland, Nepal, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, and the United States. He has run many successful Hemp building courses in Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, and the United States. He continues to act as an advisor for projects wishing to establish hemp processing facilities for hemp construction products.

He is currently the director of the International Hemp Building Association IHBA which was formed in November 2009 after a successful 1st International Hemp Building Symposium organized earlier that year in Ireland. In his role as director of the IHBA, Steve has given presentations in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.

Speakers

Sergiy Kovalenkov

Sergiy has received his Civil Engineering degree in Carleton University, Canada. After university he went on to pursuit his engineering career in the field of construction project management before he came across a hempcrete technology in 2010. Sergiy has worked on numerous hemp insulation projects across the globe for the last eight years in countries like: Ukraine, Switzerland, France, Russia, Australia, USA and Poland.

In 2015, he founded “Hempire UA” in Ukraine, which has developed a 100% natural binder, that when mixed with hemp and water would create one of the lightest, carbon negative hempcrete insulation on the planet, called Hempire Mix.

In last few years Hempire has picked up high recognition and numerous awards for its’ technology and reative, challenging projects during international contests. Just to mention a few:
– Top 100 startups worldwide in Startup Energy Transition contest organized for G20 in Germany (2016)
– Top 100 Startups worldwide in New energy Contest in Kazakhstan event organized by EXPO 2017
(2016)
– Winner during Kyiv Green Building International Architectural Contest (2016)
– Ukrainian finalist of Singularity University tech contest (USA) (2017)
– Winner of Innovation green tech voucher program from EBRD (European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development). Recipient of grant for business development. (2017)
– Winner as “Sustainable Company” Nomination during International Cannabis Conference (2018)
– Top 100 start-ups worldwide in Energy sector that will allow Hempire to showcase its’ innovation at 24th World Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi (2019)

In 2018, Sergiy along with his partner Stuart McKenzie has founded Hempire USA in California and has started to take on hemp construction projects. The company will focus on bringing a new hemp process-ing technology and other natural innovative materials to US market and rest of the world.

The idea is to use 100% local hemp and other natural local materials to start building green sustainable future with carbon negative technology. Sergiy possesses vast experience and knowledge in the field of energy efficiency and green building and has been invited as a speaker to numerous hemp, green tech and climate change conferences in following countries: Ukraine, Japan, Belarus, United Arabic Emirates, England, Italy, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Austria, Lithuania, Poland and USA.

In 2019, Sergiy became one of the founding members of US Hemp Building Association.

Jan Besik

Jan has 16 years experience in hemp and cannabis. He is founder of Mabeko, a company that sells hemp building materials and hemp bedding, and provides consulting services. His company built or help to build several hempcrete houses in the Czech Republic. Jan lives in half wood and half hempcrete house in the mountains.

12.30-14.00

Networking lunch

14.00-15.30

Hemp straw processing: state of the art

Moderator

Francesco Mirizzi

Currently responsible for agriculture, bioeconomy and environmental policies at the European Industrial Hemp Association, Francesco has a 10 years long experience in working with agrofood policies in Brussels. After 2 years in the liaison office of Puglia region to the EU, he joined the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission for a bluebook traineeship. After two years working for Pernod Ricard SA on health, trade and agricultural policies affecting the spirits and wine sector, he gained a more horizontal and extensive experience within the European Federation of Farmers and Farming Cooperatives (Copa-Cogeca), where he was responsible for the olive & olive oil, flax, cotton, hemp, spirits, wine and hops sectors.

Speakers
Maciej Kowalski

Maciej Kowalski

Farmer, entrepreneur and activist – 15+ years experience with cannabis/hemp, pioneer of innovative cultivation and processing methods.

CEO and founder (2019) of Kombinat Konopny – vertically integrated hemp company in Poland, focused on hemp straw processing for textile-grade fibre and “seed to shelf” manufacturing of cannabinoid-rich oil infusions. Apart from commercial activity, the company is strongly involved in a down-to-earth R&D on growing, harvesting and processing technology for all parts of the cannabis plant. Pioneered the equity crowdfunding financing model, successfully running record-beating share offering (https://hemptoday.net/polish-hemp-company-raises-e1-million-in-38-minutes-via-crowdfunding/). On the legal/political front strongly advocating open cannabis market with some significant successes on the “novel food” front: https://kombinatkonopny.pl/court-judgment-hemp-is-not-a-novel-food-it-can-be-used-in-food/

Previously CEO and founder (2014) of the 1st private Polish hemp company, later on sold to the listed Canadian holding (2018), as well as marijuana policy activist (2003-2014), including running for the MP and MEP, promoting legalisation of marijuana and its economical and fiscal effects; editor in chief (2006-2014) of cannabis related newspaper Spliff.

Alexandru Teodorescu

Alex Teodorescu

With over 15 years of experience in machine construction, my journey has been defined by a commitment to sustainability and the relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technology.

Transitioning into the role of a sales representative at Cretes in 2022 marked a pivotal moment, propelling me into the fascinating world of natural fibers.

Each interaction with hemp fibers has revealed their extraordinary potential, igniting my passion for innovation and sustainability.

Embracing this newfound enthusiasm, I’ve taken on the responsibility of leading sales initiatives within the natural fiber processing markets, driven by a dedication to showcase the remarkable capabilities of our technology.

At Cretes, our approach is grounded in practicality, prioritizing client guidance with precision to meet their distinct needs.

It’s through collaboration and shared vision that we navigate towards a future marked by environmental stewardship and technological advancement—one hemp fiber at a time.

Michael Bieder

Michael boasts a diverse professional journey marked by successful transitions across industries. His career commenced with a five-year tenure as the head of the purchasing department for a tier 1 automotive supplier, where he honed his skills in supply chain management.

Driven by his passion for quality ingredients with both nutritional value and exceptional taste, Michael made a dynamic cross-career move into the food industry. Over the course of 15 years, he dedicated himself to this sector, showcasing his creativity in food development and fostering innovation.

In 2010, Michael embarked on a new venture in the United Kingdom, where he adeptly managed a franchise business for 12 years. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen propelled the success of this endeavor, demonstrating his adaptability and leadership capabilities.

Continuing his journey of exploration, Michael transitioned to the industrial hemp sector, driven by a commitment to sustainable solutions. Beginning with field trials in 2018, he quickly advanced to conceptualizing new processing methods and pioneering innovative technologies for the hemp industry.

In 2023, Michael played a pivotal role in establishing Fibamax, a joint venture dedicated to implementing cutting-edge technology in the form of phytofineries. These blueprint facilities revolutionize lignocellulosic material processing, including hemp, and represent a significant step forward in sustainable manufacturing practices.

Currently, Michael leads the technical development and blueprint design of Phytofineries as part of a grant-funded programme from the BMWK BioEconomy Scheme.

Dr. Vita Maria Cristiana Moliterni

Researcher at CREA – Research Center for Genomics and Bioinforatics (Fiorenzuola d’Arda -ITALY), biologist with specialization in Applied Genetics, she has been studying hemp since 1997 with interest in the genetics and physiology of sexual differentiation, and in the development and proteomics of seed. Since 2017 he has been dealing with innovation in the agro-industrial hemp supply chain and through the coordination of regional projects (EAFRD funds) he has contributed to the creation of a pilot supply chain for the production of textile fiber and seeds from hemp. He is the scientific director of an innovative bioreactor for the water retting of hemp fiber and its scale up to the pre-industrial level.

15.30-16.00

Coffee Break

16.00-17.30

Hemp fibre in the textile industry: what to expect

Moderator

Marie-Emmanuelle Belzung

A business graduate with 25 years’ experience in fashion and international marketing, Marie-Emmanuelle Belzung joined Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp (former CELC) in 2007 as General Delegate, with the initial mandate of defining a strategy to promote the European flax agro-industrial sector in a global market context.

Since 2019, she has steered the development strategy for the flax-linen and hemp industry on innovation & CSR, and driven the global promotion strategy towards the premium and luxury fashion, lifestyle and high-performance markets. A strategy and action plan supported by an economic observatory and by two certifications of origin and traceability, European Flax ™ and Masters of Linen ™, which are the cornerstones for environmental footprint assessments, and for proven functional properties. She also holds a seat on various European Commission bodies.

Speakers

Laurie Blanchecotte

For the past 4 years, I have been dedicated to promoting industrial hemp across markets where it can create value. Drawing from my experiences in the food, construction, and textile industries, always in sales and marketing roles, I am now leveraging my knowledge to drive hemp development.

Julie Pariset

Julie Pariset

Julie Pariset, is Head of & Innovation and CSR Department at Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp. She coordinates innovation at each stage of production and transformation, dedicated to a variety of industries, including agriculture, textiles and technical textiles within a sustainable approach. She also supports and facilitates an European approach to R&D initiatives.

19:00-21.00

Networking Dinner - All Attendees Welcome

Day 03 - 7 June 2024

08.30-09.00

Registration and welcome coffee

09.00-10.30

Hemp policies and value chains around the world

Moderator
cath

Lorenza Romanese

Lorenza is the Managing Director of EIHA. Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is an experienced policy advisor and communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s efforts in Brussels since February 2019, having worked with a number of MEPs to propose reforms affecting hemp in the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy. Lorenza previously advised interests in the oil and gas sector and led the European Association of independent Winegrowers.

Lorenza helped to put together in November 2019 a Consortium of companies in EIHA conducting CBD and THC toxicological studies in humans and animals. She is currently overseeing parts of the regulatory process and scientific approach.

Lorenza was appointed in March 2022 as co-chair of the policy and regulation committee of FIHO (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), a global association that identifies and creates opportunities to scale sustainable hemp production, marketing, and trade.

Speakers

Kenzi Riboulet Zemouli

Based in Barcelona, Kenzi is a French-Algerian interdisciplinary researcher and advocate for sustainable drug policy reforms. He co-founded the French NGO NORML France and the think-tank FAAAT. Focused on Action research (matching scholars and citizens) as a catalyser for legal and social changes, Kenzi has been particularly involved in studying alternative pathways for Cannabis policy reform, linking international law with local grassroots initiatives. His work articulates around ethics, human rights aspects, fair trade components, and criteria of sustainability of legally-regulated use, production, and markets of internationally controlled and/or psychoactive plants, fungi, products or substances.

Saddam-Hussain

Saddam Hussain

Dr. Saddam Hussain is working as an Assistant Professor of Agronomy at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). He also has the honorary positions of Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology at the Princess Nourah Bint e Abdul Rehman University, Riyadh, and an Honorary Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia.

He is leading the first pilot project of Industrial Hemp in Pakistan at UAF in collaboration with Yunnan University under CPEC-CRG program. He has already screened the non-toxic hemp genotypes, tested the adaptability of exotic Chinese material in various agroecological conditions, formulated the production agronomy, and successfully developed the complete value chain. He has developed prototypes (fabric, denim, knitwear) using hemp fibre in collaboration with industrial partners (US Apparel, Masood Textile Mills), and has optimized the indigenous fibre processing techniques. This work has been spotted in many national and international media channels and news. Currently, he is also working on the use of hemp for CBD oil, paper making, and silage production.

He published over 180 refereed journal papers (h-index: 68, citations: >17500; Feb 2024); the majority in the first quarter of his field. The impact of his publications is consistently on the increase, and he is now receiving over 2000 citations every single year. He has been awarded “Highly Cited Researcher” status by Clarivate/Web of Science in 2021, 2022, and 2023. After his appointment at the university, he is the regular recipient of the “Research Productivity Award” from the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology.

Along with the industry, he has established active collaboration with national and international researchers. To date, he has supervised >50 postgraduate students as a major supervisor and >150 students as a supervisory committee member. He is also on the editorial panel of various Q1 journals including the Journal of Advanced Research, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, BMC Plant Biology, Food and Energy Security, AoB Plants, and Crop Science-CSSA.

Maximiliano Baranoff

Maximiliano Baranoff

Maximiliano Baranoff has a degree in International Relations, has a Master’s degree in Innovation and Economic Development at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and is co-founder of Industrial Hemp Solutions (IHS). He has been working for 10 years within the ecosystem of sustainable production processes; he specializes in creating solutions that decarbonize production chains, developing new markets and circular products.

Since 2021, together with IHS, he has developed the industrial hemp value chain in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay due to its competitive advantages. In each country, strong public-private articulation work has been done in order to develop each link in the production chain, from the origination of raw materials from the field, through technical validations with industries that seek to decarbonize their value chains, to obtaining public funds and mobilization of private capital for the primary transformation infrastructure of the hemp crop.

Daniel Kruse

Daniel Kruse, a pioneer of the hemp industry for more than 26 years, is founder and managing director of Hempro International GmbH and HempConsult GmbH, two of Europe`s leading hemp players. Kruse has more than 16 years of experience in hemp food production.

Hempro Int. (founded in 2002), one of Europe’s first and largest hemp food companies, produces raw material (seeds, hulled nuts, oil, protein) and offers branded hemp foods under the HANF FARM label.

Based on a strong international network HempConsult (founded 2012) follows industry trends and developments on the global hemp markets, conducts market research and serves entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors and other stakeholders of the industry as a consultant for the development of strategic goals and their successful and sustainable implementation.

Since 2013, Kruse has served as a board member of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). In 2019, he was elected president of EIHA for the first time and re- elected for another term in 2021.

At the EIHA Kruse is particularly active in his field of knowledge of cannabinoids in foods. Already since 2002 he has been working on the topic of THC in food and on CBD since 2012. His cooperation with international experts and the advisory committee of EIHA combines the profound know-how from practice and science in the hemp and food industry. In course of this cooperation, various position papers and studies on THC and CBD in food have been drawn up and published.

Kruse represents industrial hemp stakeholders in front of the European Union and German governments, where his work has helped to advance the legal and regulatory framework for the hemp industry.

Trained as a banker, Kruse studied finance at Green Bay University in Wisconsin (USA) and Duesseldorf (Germany). He opened “HanfHaus,” a retail hemp retail shop in 1996, and in 1999 became Head of Sales as well as partner at HanfHaus GmbH in Berlin. Kruse founded Hempro International in 2002 to advance the development of hemp products, and to realise his vision: the successful combination of ecology and economy.

10.30-11.00

Coffee Break

11.00-12.30

Hemp farming: innovation and sustainability

Moderator

Hana Gabrielovà

CEO of Hempoint & President of Czechemp 

Hana Gabrielová is a 20-year veteran within the hemp industry. In 2010 she establish her company Hempoint s.r.o. which is heavily engaged in distribution of EU registered hemp seed varieties internationally, in North America represented by USA company konopiUS. Hempoint provides consulting on all steps of the hemp value chain from farming, processing till the end of different kinds of products. Hempoint help contracts farmers and also distributes organic hemp food and feed ingredients. Hana works also as president of the CzecHemp cluster since 2018, NGO involved in the strategy of hemp and cannabis policy development in the Czech Republic. In 2020 she co-founded Hemp the Climate, pioneering non-profit organization and think tank that provides strategic advice to businesses and collaborates with multilateral and non-governmental organizations to accelerate the use of hemp for climate resilience.

Speakers
May Kahoush

May Kahush

May Kahoush is a lecturer at The Swedish School of Textiles – University of Borås, Sweden.

She holds a PhD in textile material technology from University of Borås (Sweden), ENSAIT (France) and Soochow University (China) within a joint doctorate program (SMDtex).

Her research focuses on sustainability and ecotechnologies within textiles including natural fiber extraction and characterization, nonwovens for technical textiles, surface modification of textile structures and recycling.

Mark Reinders

Mark Reinders is CEO of the HempFlax group of companies. He is one of the most creative, practical and experienced professionals in the field of European hemp. Mark tirelessly researches, implements and promotes both environmentally responsible and sustainable manufacturing processes, and new uses for hemp.

Mark grew up on his family’s farm, one of the first to grow hemp for HempFlax. A six month internship at HempFlax in 2002 further encouraged his interest in the long-neglected traditional Dutch crop. Experience at agricultural and recycling companies convinced him that sustainable practices should be implemented right from the beginning of any supply chain. Returning to HempFlax as Vice President in 2008, he has implemented this vision with dedication and success. As CEO, he continues to strive for the highest possible standards. His dedication to innovation in every stage of the hemp process, from seed to finished product, has made HempFlax a world leader in the industry.

Mark is currently CEO of  HempFlax Group of companies and holding the position of  Treasurer of the European Industrial Hemp Association.

Miroslav Vosatka

Miroslav Vosátka

Prof. Miroslav Vosatka, PhD, is a leading scientist at the Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, and lecturer at the Masaryk University in Brno and Charles University of Prague. He has expertise in soil microbiology, production and applications of mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria, development of biofertilizers and biopesticides. He has collaborates on research and develpment projects of biofertiliozers and biofungicides for cannabis cultivation. He coordinates a project of National Centre of Competence BIOCIRKL focused on exploitation of agricultural waste for high value products.

12.30-14.00

Networking lunch

14.00-15.30

Hemp extracts: state of the sector and future perspectives

Moderator
cath

Lorenza Romanese

Lorenza is the Managing Director of EIHA. Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is an experienced policy advisor and communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s efforts in Brussels since February 2019, having worked with a number of MEPs to propose reforms affecting hemp in the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy. Lorenza previously advised interests in the oil and gas sector and led the European Association of independent Winegrowers.

Lorenza helped to put together in November 2019 a Consortium of companies in EIHA conducting CBD and THC toxicological studies in humans and animals. She is currently overseeing parts of the regulatory process and scientific approach.

Lorenza was appointed in March 2022 as co-chair of the policy and regulation committee of FIHO (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), a global association that identifies and creates opportunities to scale sustainable hemp production, marketing, and trade.

Speakers

Jacopo Paolini

Jacopo V. Paolini brings a strong background of strategy and project development to Enecta BV where he is responsible for the supply and distribution dealings with Cannabis businesses globally as well as supporting strategic products, marketing, sales, and operational initiatives.

Born and grown in Italy, He graduated, cum laude, at the University of Bologna – Economics and Finances. He worked like Tax Lawyer in Italy, working as a consultant for Italian companies, involved in the business of finance, food, fashion and construction.
In 2010 he decided to move in Leiden (NL) where he joined the Masters in International Tax Law

As an International Tax Lawyer, Jacopo travelled extensively all around the world working with businesses in MNE, the global food market, numerous automotive industries and markets as well as the finance market. In 2012, together with his business partner Marco C. he started one of the first Cannabis companies in Europe, ENECTA BV, that today is actively involved in the production of cannabis products – GMP grade and in the education and information models with regard to Cannabis. His main goal is to be a pioneer in this Cannabis market, to ensure a trusted and safe product for the generations that follow.

Jindrich Voboril

Mgr. JINDŘICH VOBOŘIL, Pg.Dip., is a leading Czech authority on drug use as reflected in his more than 20 years of experience leading and developing health programs and social services. He also held the post of Czech National Anti-Drug Coordinator and director of the anti-drug policy department and the secretariat of the Government Council for the Coordination of Anti-Drug Policy (RVKPP).

Paul Tossell

Paul has been head of what was at the time the Radiological, GM, Novel Foods and Feed Additives Branch, since January 2019. He has overseen policy development on CBD compliance with novel food regulations. Paul has been with the FSA since its formation in 2000, having previously worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).

15.30-16.00

Coffee Break

16.00-17.30

Hemp seeds: market and innovation

Moderator
cath

Lorenza Romanese

Lorenza is the Managing Director of EIHA. Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is an experienced policy advisor and communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s efforts in Brussels since February 2019, having worked with a number of MEPs to propose reforms affecting hemp in the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy. Lorenza previously advised interests in the oil and gas sector and led the European Association of independent Winegrowers.

Lorenza helped to put together in November 2019 a Consortium of companies in EIHA conducting CBD and THC toxicological studies in humans and animals. She is currently overseeing parts of the regulatory process and scientific approach.

Lorenza was appointed in March 2022 as co-chair of the policy and regulation committee of FIHO (Federation of International Hemp Organizations), a global association that identifies and creates opportunities to scale sustainable hemp production, marketing, and trade.

Speakers

Daniel Kruse

Daniel Kruse, a pioneer of the hemp industry for more than 26 years, is founder and managing director of Hempro International GmbH and HempConsult GmbH, two of Europe`s leading hemp players. Kruse has more than 16 years of experience in hemp food production.

Hempro Int. (founded in 2002), one of Europe’s first and largest hemp food companies, produces raw material (seeds, hulled nuts, oil, protein) and offers branded hemp foods under the HANF FARM label.

Based on a strong international network HempConsult (founded 2012) follows industry trends and developments on the global hemp markets, conducts market research and serves entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors and other stakeholders of the industry as a consultant for the development of strategic goals and their successful and sustainable implementation.

Since 2013, Kruse has served as a board member of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). In 2019, he was elected president of EIHA for the first time and re- elected for another term in 2021.

At the EIHA Kruse is particularly active in his field of knowledge of cannabinoids in foods. Already since 2002 he has been working on the topic of THC in food and on CBD since 2012. His cooperation with international experts and the advisory committee of EIHA combines the profound know-how from practice and science in the hemp and food industry. In course of this cooperation, various position papers and studies on THC and CBD in food have been drawn up and published.

Kruse represents industrial hemp stakeholders in front of the European Union and German governments, where his work has helped to advance the legal and regulatory framework for the hemp industry.

Trained as a banker, Kruse studied finance at Green Bay University in Wisconsin (USA) and Duesseldorf (Germany). He opened “HanfHaus,” a retail hemp retail shop in 1996, and in 1999 became Head of Sales as well as partner at HanfHaus GmbH in Berlin. Kruse founded Hempro International in 2002 to advance the development of hemp products, and to realise his vision: the successful combination of ecology and economy.

Florian Pichlmaier

After completing his Bachelor in Business Law (LL.B.) in Germany and Master of Law (LL.M.) in England, Florian was involved in auditing startups and venture capital firms at KPMG. During his studies, he founded numerous startups with the vision of making people’s lives easier and healthier by providing high-quality products or services.

During his studies, he also worked in Brussels at the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, where he gained his first experience of international politics, lobbying and legal development, which he has since been able to use for the hemp industry.

He also had the opportunity to work for an international investment law firm in Shanghai for a year and gain cultural and legal experience in a country that is considered as the largest industrial hemp cultivation area.

After Florian had convinced himself of the health effects of CBD in his university time, he also wanted to make hemp available to his friends, which earned him positive feedback. Together with his friend Tobias, this led him to the idea of offering everyone access to legal, high-quality industrial hemp at fair prices and transparent processes. This resulted in the founding of Signature Products. Today Florian leads the company as CEO mainly in the area of business development. In 2022, Florian was appointed to the management board of Europe’s largest hemp association EIHA and named by Forbes as one of the 30 most influential people under 30 who will have an impact on the future.

Florian has managed to build Signature Products into one of the leading industrial hemp companies in Europe, growing industrial hemp, processing and trading the hemp ingredients, but also conducting in-depth research with leading universities from sowing seed to finished product.

Pavel Kubu

Pavel Kubu

Dr. Kubů is an expert in medical informatics and addictology, specializing in digital healthcare. He has formerly held a position at the Intel Corporation and was the Founding CEO of the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI) in Prague. Dr. Kubů is a graduate of Charles University in Prague, earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in General Medicine with a focus on disease prevention. Since the beginning of the 2. millennium he is actively contributing to cannabis access education, lobby, research and development on national, EU and international level. Currently serves as Chief Medical Officer in P4P a.s. and Chief Information Officer in Healchain GmbH. Dr. Kubu has been elected as chairman of Patient association for cannabis treatment KOPAC and Czech national forum for eHealth.

After Conference Networking Activities