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Every aspect of the hemp business presents challenges that no other type of business faces, said Brian Bullman, the owner of Carolina Hemp Company — Asheville's longest serving hemp and CBD retailer/distributor.
“Socially, logistically, etcetera,” Bullman continued, “But we overcome these obstacles through sheer determination."
Because of that determination, Carolina Hemp Company is now open for business in a beautiful new storefront at 290 Haywood Road, Suite 002.
But the most important challenge his business has had to overcome? Educating the public about hemp.
Up until recently, hemp was federally classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic. But with the recent passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has since been removed from the list of federally controlled substances.
CBD derived from industrial hemp contains no more than 0.3% of THC, meaning you don't get "high" from it. Most commonly people use CBD for medical reasons, including pain, anxiety and insomnia relief.
To help educate the public and bring hemp products into the mainstream market, Carolina Hemp Company has positioned itself as a reputable and reliable distribution company in the hemp market. They have assembled a team of qualified and passionate people that deliver a consultative experience to each and every client.
“We decided early that there was ‘plan A’ and ‘plan A’ only,” Bullman said.
What began as a full-service distributer of hemp beverages — specifically Canna Energy — quickly became so much more. From July 2014 to December 2015, the business opened over 350 accounts and sold 6 truckloads of Canna Energy into the WNC market.
“That was a total of nearly half a million drinks,” Bullman added, “making Carolina Hemp Company the top distributor of that product in the country."
But given the hyper competitiveness of the beverage industry — think Red Bull, Monster and the like — Carolina Hemp Company began focusing on a more diverse range of hemp goods, including edibles, smokeables, oils and more.
What Bullman calls the “hemp general store” now offers the largest and highest quality assortment of hemp goods in the region.
“The metamorphosis from being a start-up in an incredibly questionable market to being an established, expanding force in the regional market 5 years later has been exhilarating,” Bullman said. “Being a 100% bootstrap operation, the growth has been enormous and steady.”
Bullman’s aim with Carolina Hemp Company was to set a benchmark for the industry in terms of production, product and service to the community.
“I grew up here and I have raised my family here,” Bullman said. ”I experienced Asheville in its state of disrepair in the 80s and watched as it has flourished into the beautifully diverse, dynamic and culturally rich place that it has become.”
He chooses to work with local and regional farmers, local educators, industry leaders, manufacturers and retailers to rebuild a market chain that will provide quality jobs for the state of North Carolina and the wider region.
A peek inside Carolina Hemp Company's new storefront on Haywood Road.
And Carolina Hemp Company continues to grow — they are now open in a beautiful new storefront at 290 Haywood Road, Suite 002. Don’t miss their Grand Opening on January 26 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. where everything in-store will be 10% off until 4 p.m.
Plus, you won't want to miss out on their hourly discounts, like from 1 - 2 p.m., all Carolina Hemp Company branded apparel will be 40% off; from 3 - 4 p.m., you can grab a free pint of The Hemperor HPA from New Belgium Brewing; and from 4 - 5 p.m., 42% of retail sales will be donated to a local charity.
Stay up-to-date with their Dig Local profile for information about community programs and other educational events that Carolina Hemp Company will be rolling out throughout 2019.
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