17
some farming operations in a couple of other
states which led to the need for financing. You
couldn’t go to the bank to get money for this
product. So we went to some capital partners
we worked with in the past, and they were very
interested in being involved in this industry as
well. After six months of discussions, we looked
at being vertically integrated,” said Miller.
Now, don’t be confused – this has nothing
to do with the production marijuana...
The North Carolina Farm Bill of 2019 officially
authorizes and regulates statewide hemp
farming. In 2018, the federal government
removed hemp from its Controlled Substances
Act, which in turn effectively legalized the
cannabis plant. And North Carolina is actively
pursuing the opportunity to help farmers and
make an agricultural impact. In fact, North
Carolina is listed in the “top 10” of the nations
hemp-growing states. Now, don’t be confused
– this has nothing to do with the production
marijuana, the psychoactive cannabis plant
with high THC levels, this is still illegal.
Hemp’s fibers and grains can be used for
a myriad of products, from rope to
sunflower seed oil to the highly beneficial,
industry buzz product of
the moment, CBD.
Abundant Labs has developed
The facility will process and manage
approximately 4,000 lbs of hemp a day.
a new technology for processing hemp
extracts. Their website states, “Our production
team consists of deeply experienced science
professionals with many years of experience
producing industrial hemp products and
in lab management. We use proprietary distillation
methods in production. These methods
allow us to create our products in a manner
that is more efficient than other producers
and also allow us to ensure quality production
throughout the process.” From a production
standpoint, Abundant Labs is excited about research
and development that will be housed at
the home base in Canton, but their main focus
is on the production of high-quality isolates,
specifically the most well known, CBD and also
full spectrum distillates. “When you hear CBD
(an isolate), that’s just one molecule of the
overall plant. We’ll also deliver full spectrum
distillates. As you move through the extraction
process and work the product
into something that people can
use, you narrow what you’re
actually delivering. What we’re
going to narrow down to, from the plant,
is a distillate that just has cannabinoids in it.
And then it might have some terpene, some
things that smell, that kind of stuff,” said Miller.
Research has shown that CBD helps with
inflammation among other ailments. But there
are many other parts of the plant in which the
benefits are still undetermined. “What we do
know from a lot of the studies is the biggest
impact that people see is in a full spectrum
oil that gives them the full impact of what the
plant has, not just one thing, one molecule,”
Miller said.
Abundant Labs’ impressive facility is suited to
produce in a big way. The plant will process and
manage approximately 4,000 pounds of hemp
a day. Miller explained in brewery layman’s
terms, “If you look at a microbrewery and you
compare one to another, our operation would
be like New Belgium and other folks would be
smaller, more like BearWaters in Canton. They
both have a place in the market. They both
have distribution channels. But for us, we’re
going to be processing a lot of material.”
Abundant Labs certainly has made a significant
PHOTO ON LEFT (Left to Right)
Davis Collins, Extraction Operator
Stephen Nerlick, Chief Science Officer
Gary Hughes, Operations Manager
Lori Farrell, Administrative Manager
Randy Pores, Sales Manager
Chip Miller, Co-Founder and Chief
Executive Officer (not shown)