We Are Upstate NY With Hemp & Humanity Owner Melissa Gibson

We ARE Upstate New York with 50+ USA Snowboarding Champion Melissa Gibson of Hemp & Humanity.  After battling multiple autoimmune conditions and the onset of menopause, Melissa discovered the healing potential of CBD in 2014. Her personal experience with hemp not only improved her health but also ignited a passion to help others navigate the often-confusing world of hemp and CBD products.

In response to the lack of reliable information and a dearth of quality products, Melissa founded Hemp & Humanity in 2016 to educate people about the benefits of hemp and how it works to support optimal health. Her consciously curated collection of hemp products can be found at her retail shop in the heart of Woodstock, NY, which she opened in 2020. A nationally recognized expert in the space, and a NY cannabis industry community organizer, Melissa is a champion of all things hemp and cannabis and is dedicated to connecting humans to a plant she says can “feed us, clothe us, shelter us, fuel us and heal us.”

Her efforts to destigmatize cannabis and promote wellness (along with an extreme amount of patience) were leveled up this past June when New York State awarded her Woodstock’s first Adult Use Retail Dispensary license. This achievement marks a significant milestone in her mission to make high-quality, beneficial hemp products more accessible and to continue advocating for the positive impact of cannabis on health and well-being.

Let’s learn more about Melissa Gibson, her passion for cannabis, her role as the founder of Hemp & Humanity and her efforts as co-founder of Hudson Valley Cannabis RollCall.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Melissa Gibson: I was born and raised in South Huntington on Long Island, and after college at Cornell in Ithaca, graduate school in Georgia, and a number of years working in Dallas, I returned to NY and founded a direct marketing company that I ran for 20 years before moving to the Hudson Valley in 2010 to be somewhere more aligned with my values and lifestyle.  In truth, at the top of my list of reasons to move here was access to the mountains and snowboarding trails. Although the move represented challenges and quite a bit of sacrifice to make happen, I feel so lucky to have found my forever home here in the Catskill Mountains.

When did you open your retail store in Woodstock?

I founded Hemp & Humanity in 2016, which was two years prior to the passing of the US Farm Bill that effectively made CBD federally legal. So, while my original vision could not include a retail brick-and-mortar, I was able to open the doors to my Woodstock shop in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, I focused on providing education, personal consultations, and a slate of CBD products for sale everywhere, from farmers’ markets to gyms and yoga centers, national fitness conferences, senior centers, and community events. In fact, we were the first to sell CBD at farmers’ markets on Long Island. We set up right in front of City Hall in Long Beach, and for most folks, visiting our booth was their very first exposure to CBD.  At first, we addressed “What is CBD?” then it became “Which CBD?” and now it’s “Which cannabinoid, dosing, brand, delivery method, and protocol?”.

Is Hemp & Humanity a dispensary?

Hemp & Humanity is a licensed NY State Hemp Cannabinoid Retailer. That is not the same as a licensed NY Adult-Use Retail Dispensary. We carry all kinds of hemp products, but we are limited to those that don’t contain any significant amount of THC (that’s the cannabinoid molecule in the plant that gets you high). What we do carry are formulas that have concentrations of other cannabinoids found in the plant  – those that can address and support wellness, such as CBD, CBG, and CBN.  Only Licensed Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries are authorized to sell cannabis products with high levels of THC, and the rollout of the program that awards those licenses has been a complete rollercoaster ride. Legislation referred to as the MRTA legalized adult-use cannabis in our state back in March of 2021. Plagued by lawsuits, illegal operators, and growing pains associated with standing up an entirely new state agency to regulate cannabis in NY, the effort to jump-start the Adult Use market has been anything but smooth. It wasn’t until early 2024 that the Mid-Hudson Valley opened its first dispensary, and Ulster County didn’t get its first one until April. Here’s the big news, though – in June, I was awarded the license to open and operate the first Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Dispensary in Woodstock! We are in the process of building that enterprise now, so stay tuned!

Why did you decide to create a business around hemp and CBD?

It was my own personal journey to find relief from several auto-immune conditions that led me to CBD and hemp in 2014. I was struggling to balance my health issues with a desire to remain active and productive as a business owner, athlete, and mother of two when I first began taking CBD therapeutically and consistently.  The results were astonishing — my thyroid condition, symptoms from Lyme Disease, complications from Celiac Disease, and all that goes along with menopause were greatly improved and, in some cases, put into complete remission.

I knew I had to share what I learned, so, at age 52, I pivoted professionally, leveraging my background in business, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and localism to create a company that would focus on hemp, with an emphasis on education and conscious curation. Since then, I’ve worked with thousands of people to help them establish their own relationship with the plant and match them up with the best products and protocols to optimize health and wellbeing.

You are very active in the local cannabis community. Tell us about that.

Fostering and creating a place-based community has always been important to me.  I’m a devout localist and have always looked for opportunities to bring people together for the common good. In a nascent and burgeoning industry such as legal cannabis, it’s critical that we support one another. Pioneering can be a lonely endeavor. After several years at the helm of my hemp business, and with the passage of the MRTA in 2021, which legalized “Adult Use” cannabis, I saw there was a need to identify and gather the cannabis industry players in the Hudson Valley.  Along with my co-founder, Tamika Dunkley, we launched the Hudson Valley Cannabis RollCall in 2022. With four seasonal mixers throughout the year, the RollCall brings together the entire supply chain as well as industry organizations and ancillary businesses so we can foster relationships, collaborate, and co-create a vibrant, productive, and inclusive home for cannabis in the Hudson Valley. The next RollCall will take place on October 24th, 2024, and folks can go HERE for more information.

What is the difference between Hemp, CBD, and THC for those who don’t know?

CBD and THC are cannabinoid molecules found in the cannabis plant. “Cannabis Sativa L” is the name of the plant species that includes both hemp and marijuana varieties.  Whether a plant is categorized as one or the other of those two is determined by the percentage of THC – hemp has less than or equal to 0.3% Delta 9 THC, and marijuana has more than 0.3%. This is not a scientific or botanical definition, but rather, it’s a 2018 Farm Bill definition that distinguishes them for legal and regulatory purposes. CBD (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating molecule and the most prominent cannabinoid found in hemp works with your body’s Endocannabinoid System to maintain balanced health. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid responsible for that intoxicating “high” you experience when consuming cannabis. And just to make things interesting — CBD and THC can be found in either hemp or marijuana.

When it comes to your interest and the products you sell, what came first, a focus on CBD or Hemp?

I’ll answer by first qualifying that CBD and the other cannabinoids found in the flowering parts of the hemp plant represent a fraction of hemp’s potential. The other parts of the plant — the seeds, fibrous stalks, and biomass – have industrial applications to feed us, shelter us, fuel us, and offer an alternative to materials and practices that harm the environment. And just by growing, hemp can draw down Co2 and improve the soil. CBD brought me to the plant for health benefits, but the more I learn about hemp, the more I am in awe of its potential, and the more I strive to connect humans with it. Educating the public is a big part of what I do, and my weekly radio segment on Radio Woodstock, 100.1FM, called “Homegrown Hemp,” has been exploring all aspects of hemp for over two years.  This is why Hemp & Humanity is positioned as a “whole plant” enterprise. Our expertise and interest in the industrial aspects of hemp is what differentiates us from a typical CBD retailer. Hashtag hemp instead!

There is a lot of “stuff” on the market.  How does one know if they are buying a quality product?

Here’s where it pays to have a trusted resource that vets and curates products for you. There are thousands of CBD and hemp products in the marketplace, and regulations have not kept up with the astronomical growth of the industry.  CBD products vary greatly in terms of effectiveness, safety, quality, and ingredients. And since hemp is such a good remediator of soil, it really does matter where and how the hemp is grown. One rule of thumb I created is: “If your CBD was dirt cheap, it likely came from cheap dirt.” It matters how cannabinoids are extracted from the plant and what carriers are used in the formulation of the product.  While it is not a legal requirement, quality CBD products make public something called a COA, which is an analysis done by an independent lab that confirms chemical composition and reports harmful levels of metals and toxins. So check out the COA of a product before you buy it, or get your products from a source that does that for you, like we do.

What types of CBD and Hemp products do you carry in-store, and from where do you source them?

Every item in the store is consciously curated, vetted, and tested for quality and consistency.  In addition to the hemp products I mentioned before, we carry every possible consumption method of CBD (and other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, CBGa, CBC, and THCv), including tinctures, sublingual, teas, topicals, edibles, beverages, and flowers. These products are formulated to address everything from sleep to anxiety to pain relief to skin health.  But perhaps what sets us apart is our focus on the whole plant. We carry delicious products with hemp seeds,  jewelry, sunglasses made from hemp plastic, cannabis lifestyle accessories for the discerning enthusiast, and even hemp wood! We are especially proud of our unique collection of sustainable, handmade bags, backpacks, and guitar cases made from 100% hemp fiber crafted by our B-Corp partners in Nepal, SHIVcraft.

We support over 40 Women-Owned and BIPOC brands in our shop and have a direct relationship with every one of our vendors. After almost eight years of doing business in this space, we have the experience and credentials to stand behind our offerings. Our priority is to work with brands that align with our values of sustainability, equity, and the quadruple bottom line: People, Plant, Purpose, and Performance.

What can someone expect from a consultation?

Central to our value proposition is the personal matching of customers to products and protocols. This involves a consultation where we listen to your interest in using cannabinoids, assess your needs, set expectations, and match you up with the best product, formula, consumption method, serving size, and protocol to give you your best chance for success. Ultimately, it’s about giving you enough information to help you establish your own relationship with the plant. We can keep it simple (just give me a gummy to help me sleep) or go deep into the science (tell me how CBD works);  however, you’d like us to help you. Consultations happen organically in the shop; however, we also offer phone and virtual consultations with a direct message to schedule via Instagram @hempandhumanity or an email to [email protected].

Do you sell online as well as in your store?

While we do have a basic informative website, we don’t currently sell online, and that is a very long and complicated story that involves our early entry into the CBD retail space, complexities around banking and credit card processing, and ultimately, our decision to focus on in-person sales in our shop, where we can take the time to personalize our service to meet the individual needs of our customers. However, we are able to accept orders, take payment, and ship if you order via email, IG message, text, or phone call. Anyone can initiate that purchase by emailing me at [email protected].

What is the one question you’re constantly asked or the biggest misconception about your work?

It’s an interesting question because there are so many misconceptions in general about cannabis. Generations have been raised with false or misleading information about the plant, so I understand why some folks are skeptical or still see it as a “bad drug.”  I’m not put off by the negative stigma when answering questions about hemp and cannabis because I view it as an opportunity to educate, destigmatize, and replace the negative narratives surrounding this plant.

Do you have plans to expand beyond Woodstock?

Let’s just say that I’m actually doubling down on expanding within Woodstock, and I couldn’t be more excited! For the past several years, I have been working toward obtaining a NY Adult Use Dispensary Retail License so I can expand my capacity to serve the public, provide access to all parts of the plant, support NY farmers, enhance the local economy and generate tax dollars for community programs and initiatives that would benefit Woodstock and the surrounding region.

I am beyond thrilled that on June 11th, 2024, I was awarded an Adult Use Retail Dispensary License! Along with my partner, Courtney Beaupre, who previously owned and operated Honey’s Cannabis in Gardiner, I will be opening up the very first legal cannabis dispensary in Woodstock. We look forward to contributing to the community in a way that will honor the spirit of our town and lift up local businesses and artists. Having met the cannabinoid needs of locals and tourists for four years right here in the heart of Woodstock, I am uniquely positioned to take our town into the Adult-Use market. I started my business eight years ago to share knowledge, promote wellness, destigmatize the plant, and empower others to build their own relationship with cannabis. After years of hard work and dedication connecting my community to this plant, I am eager to deepen my service and create something really special. If any of your readers would like to be among the first to know more about our Woodstock dispensary, they can sign up to be on our Insiders List. We will be revealing the name and hosting informational events leading up to the opening.

What about the Hudson Valley makes it unique to live + work here?

Well, for one thing, you get to wear comfortable shoes. (The extent to which that matters to you is proportionate to your appreciation of the active lifestyle that is valued so highly here). Seriously though, this speaks to the abundance of natural resources that make the Hudson Valley unique.  My home and shop are within minutes of scenic trails, bubbling streams, stunning views, gorgeous slopes, and protected forests. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream to live in a place that provides so many opportunities to connect with nature. The fact that you can easily access the HV from the city for an afternoon, a day, or a weekend also makes it an ideal destination for visitors. Woodstock, in particular, draws so many who are looking for an upstate getaway. Serving tourists can be very rewarding and enjoyable – they tend to be in a good mood and have more time to shop and learn about the plant. I love it when they make a point to come back and visit year after year.

Which places in Upstate NY do you most frequent?

My localist heart brings me to smaller towns upstate that have their own unique characteristics. Of course, I frequent all the businesses, music + art venues, and natural playgrounds in and around Woodstock. In the winters, you’ll find me snowboarding at Belleayre, Plattekill, Hunter, Gore, and Whiteface mountains. It’s always fun to explore New Paltz, and Phoenicia is a favorite place to spend time. When you operate a retail business like mine, you don’t have much time to get away, so if I keep my travel footprint small, I can fit more in. That’s why I feel so lucky that there is so much to experience and discover close by.

What impact does your business have on your community?

I think the biggest impact that Hemp & Humanity has revolves around the education that I bring to the community. Whether on my weekly hemp program on Radio Woodstock, participating in and hosting local events, or even talking one-on-one with customers in the shop, we provide information that helps individuals establish their relationship with the plant.  You might come in to see me with questions about how hemp can help you sleep better or ease your anxiety, but you’re likely to leave having learned about hemp fiber, hemp plastic, and hemp insulation (you can touch it!).

It’s important to know the science behind how cannabis engages with our body, to understand the disproportionate harm that misinformation, propaganda, and unjust laws, policies, and actions have had on communities of color and those economically disadvantaged, to recognize the power and the potential of hemp to heal and offer sustainable, beneficial and effective solutions to so many of the challenges that humans face now and in the future. We are here to have meaningful discussions about all of those topics. Hemp is a (s)hero, and we are proud to share what we know with others.

Tell us something about yourself people would be surprised to learn.

I’m a 55+ New York Senior Empire Games high jumping champion. The Fosbury Flop is not a skill most people know how to do (or desire to do), so it’s a fun fact to throw out in a game of Two Truths and a Lie. I also won a gold medal in Boardercross and two silver medals in Slalom at the USA Snowboarding Association Championships in the 50+ age category.  What’s interesting is that I didn’t step on a snowboard until the age of 40. Learning something new keeps you young. Shifting my entire professional life to dedicate myself to hemp happened in my 50s — the plant has been the secret weapon in my pro-aging campaign!

What is your current state of mind?

These days, I’d characterize my state of mind as cautiously hopeful. Having applied my passion for connecting humans and hemp to both my personal and professional life for the past eight years, I have become intimately familiar with the challenges and rewards that come from changing hearts and minds through education and enlightenment. Cannabis is not a neutral topic. It’s not as if it was recently “discovered,” and we get to shape the narrative from scratch. People have opinions about it, even if they don’t always have the facts. There’s work to be done to make up for an 80+ year campaign of misinformation, disinformation, and unjust harm that surrounds this plant. But it’s worth it because sharing knowledge about this plant is a hopeful endeavor. How can you not be moved or intrigued by a plant that can reduce suffering, diminish environmental harm, offer inspiration, promote healing, encourage recovery, and address social injustice? The cautious part about embracing that hope has to do with the political nature of access to this plant. Significant legislative and regulatory roadblocks exist that are preventing us from fully realizing the plant’s potential. So, I’m hopeful, but I’m cautious.

Photos Courtesy of Hemp & Humanity @hempandhumanity + @david_mcintyre

Follow/Connect with Melissa Gibson at Hemp & Humanity via  Instagram | Inside+Out Spotlight

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