Expanding Access, Utilizing Vacant Farms + Helping Patients
John Ford
Ford is a hemp farmer in Louisiana and an MMJ farmer in Mississppi. He has expert-level agricultural knowledge of the plant and first-hand knowledge about the industry in both Louisiana and Mississippi.
Agricultural Advocacy + Minority and Black-owned Farms
Black Farmers Hemp
Ford has been vocal about how Louisiana is not seizing this golden opportunity to use the many vacant acres of farmland owned by Black and minority farmers across the state.With the Black Farmers Hemp Flagship location in Lafayette, Louisiana, Black Farmers Hemp are "Modern Reparation Farmers.”
John Ford Speaker Topics + Topics
We Have To Do Better
John Ford reminds us that we cannot abandon our community servants in their time of need. The State of Louisiana can do better in expanding access to Black farmers and other minority entrepreneurs.
More than Medicine
Hemp and Medical Cannabis Farmer John Ford describes how the state could pull together to better serve patients, many of whom are veterans and community leaders such as firefighters and first responders.
We Can Make It Happen
Legislative Sessions should not be barriers. When things are bad, Louisiana leadership need to make it right. Ignored mistakes become intentional problems. We have the solution: HOMEGROW and allowing Hemp Farmers to come to patients’ rescue.
Make Louisiana’s MMJ Program More Inclusive to Minorities
Louisiana’s current medical marijuana program is not inclusive. Lack of diversity in the program is showing. Ford also cites problems with how the program was set-up from the beginning.
Be an Advocate
Even though he is a cultivator in Missisippi, Ford advocates for HOMEGROW, because the people that need this medicine, need this medicine. HOMEGROW ensures they have access to it.
Challenges Can Be Opportunities
Ford views the challenges of the medical marijuana market as opportunities t work together to make it happen not just for patients but for the thousands of Black Farmers in the state.
Monopolies Help Only the Owners
Ford reminds leadership that problems can be fixed. Mistakes are human but allowing mistakes to continue is not right. The monopoly system prevents progress for the entire state.
Farmers Never Put All Their Eggs in One Basket
Ford describes how one company controlling 95% of the flower for the entire state does not make any sense from an agricultural perspective—or patients’ best interests.
John Ford Session
