Hemp Traders – Making Innovative Waves For The Industrial Hemp Revolution

I remember the early 1990s as a pivotal moment for environmental awareness, I had barely graduated high school and the world felt it was on edge. Life felt odd, everyone was screaming about Global Warming and looking for a solution. I wanted to help but felt powerless.

At that same time in history, Lawrence Serbin had just graduated from college, he was armed with a degree and a fierce determination to start a business that could make a difference. The same kind of difference I wanted to make.

While I had envisions of being a great wave-maker and changing the future, I ended up like many in the rat race just trying to make ends meet and barely surviving on my meager wages.

Thank heavens this was not Lawrence’s fate as well, with a touch more ambition and a little start-up money Lawrence had a strong vision for the future.

Lawrence’s choice to focus on hemp was sparked by a book that would alter the course of his professional life, the book was; ‘The Emperor Wears No Clothes,‘ by Jack Herer. The potential of hemp as an eco-friendly resource captivated him, and he knew he had to be part of its revival.

Lawrence began his career immersed in advocacy, dedicating his time to the Business Alliance for Commerce in Hemp as a volunteer. This was not just a job; it was his mission to educate the populace on hemp’s industrial potential. Within a year, his role evolved into a national director, where he forged pivotal connections that would be the cornerstone of his future endeavors in the hemp industry.

With the backdrop of this experience, he founded Hemp Traders in 1994. Starting from a studio apartment with a modest sum from his grandfather, he secured his first order of hemp fabric from China. Back then, the textile market was challenging.

Poor-quality products and high costs, coupled with lingering suspicions due to anti-drug stigma, made progress difficult. But Lawrence remained steadfast in his efforts, selling imports and championing hemp’s benefits relentlessly.

This determination set the scene for Hemp Traders to combat initial market resistance and lay down the foundational pillars for the sustainable innovation driven today. It shaped the trajectory that Lawrence continues to sail, strengthening global connections and paving the way for manufacturing milestones.

Global Connections and Manufacturing Milestones

As Hemp Traders matured, the company looked beyond the domestic landscape and set its sights on the vast potential of the global hemp market. Lawrence Serbin’s first trip to China in 1999 wasn’t merely a visit; it was a strategic move to immerse himself in the heartland of hemp fiber and textile production.

By familiarizing himself with every step of the process, from cultivation to the final product, he was poised to forge valuable partnerships and learn cutting-edge techniques.

Over two decades, Hemp Traders expanded its product line to include a variety of textiles and innovative materials such as hemp rope, twine, yarn, bast fiber, and hurds. This growth was indicative of a company not content to rest on laurels but one eager to push the industry’s boundaries and explore the versatility of hemp.

One significant stride was the vision to create a sustainable alternative to lumber. Hemp Traders pioneered the manufacture of hemp particle board in China, a journey filled with triumphs as each produced batch quickly sold out.

However, it also faced challenges — production was disrupted as some of the contracted factories encountered business consolidation issues and closures, reflecting the volatility of pioneering in an emerging market.

Persistent in its mission, Hemp Traders responded to these obstacles by beginning the manufacture of hemp board back in the United States. This move not only aligned with an increasing market demand for domestic goods but also set a precedent.

The switch represented a significant pivot from relying on international production to strengthening manufacturing capabilities within the country. Despite the pandemic necessitating a halt in production, this endeavor marked a resolve to secure the future of hemp manufacturing on American soil.

Hemp Traders’ Role in Shaping Industrial Hemp Advocacy and Policy

Hemp Traders has always emphasized active involvement in the broader hemp community. My work here highlights just how collaboration and advocacy can drive an industry forward. Lawrence joined the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) in its foundational year, and what an experience he’s had to witness the organization grow and evolve alongside the industry itself.

His journey with HIA took a more prominent turn in 2011 when he joined the board. It was a pivotal period as the industry began to lean heavily into the potential of CBD. Lawrence focused on ensuring the HIA adapted to these industry shifts during his tenure. He aimed to modernize the association and restructure the finances, intent on solidifying its place in a fast-evolving market.

Leadership roles often demand more than presiding over meetings; they’re about impact. In 2016, when Lawrence took on the presidency of the HIA, he embraced the challenge head-on. His goal was to revitalize the organization, and by the end of his term, there was a rejuvenated association with a clear financial strategy and a contemporary approach to industrial hemp advocacy.

Recognizing the importance of regional support, Lawrence led the formation of the California chapter of the HIA in 2019. The goal was to create a platform that voiced the specific needs and potential of the hemp industry in California’s sun-soaked state.

Beyond trade organizations, his work extended to influencing policy. As chair of the California Industrial Hemp Advisory Board, Lawrence collaborated closely with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. His role was to guide industrial hemp policy – a commitment to ensuring hemp’s versatility and ecological benefits were understood at a policy level.

Lawrence’s efforts at Hemp Traders have always been about more than fabric and board; they’re about contributing to a sustainable future. As he continues to advocate and shape policy, he paves the way for a thriving industrial hemp sector in California and beyond.

Envisioning a Greener Future: Hemp Traders’ Efforts in American Hemp Production

I take pride in detailing the strides Hemp Traders has made towards securing a greener planet through revolutionary initiatives. The momentous leap into American manufacturing of hemp textiles in Los Angeles exemplifies the company’s dedication to innovation and quality.

By importing yarns and knitting high-caliber hemp fabrics right in the heart of the textile industry, Hemp Traders has accomplished a milestone: providing commercial access to domestically produced hemp materials, celebrated for superior quality enhanced by state-of-the-art machinery.

The vision doesn’t end here. Hemp Traders stays true to its roots in environmental stewardship by exploring the agricultural potential of hemp in California. Since the introduction of industrial hemp registrations in the state, founder Lawrence Serbin generously distributed hemp seeds to assess fiber variety growth, propelling industry knowledge and practice.

These efforts not only underscore the adaptability of hemp as a crop but also pave the way for more localized and sustainable production cycles in the years to come.

Beyond the fabrics and boards, Hemp Traders harbor a transformative vision: harnessing hemp to supplant petroleum as a primary fuel source.

Through grounded research and strategic partnerships, they are at the forefront of challenging the status quo and reshaping an industry. Their work not only foregrounds the environmental benefits of hemp but also its economic feasibility as a fuel alternative, offering a glimmer of optimism for energy sustainability.

Looking ahead, Hemp Traders continues to engage in a dynamic process of expanding America’s industrial hemp infrastructure. In a landscape ripe for change, their innovative outlook and entrepreneurial spirit must be matched by supportive policies and a societal shift toward sustainability.

The fabric of the future weaves together ecological balance with economic growth, and Hemp Traders is leading the charge toward an era where eco-friendly hemp plays a central role. It’s crucial that we all participate, as consumers, policymakers, and advocates, to bring this vision to life.

This is the story of one man’s determination to make a difference. Imagine if there are five more Lawrence Serbin’s that sprout out in the next few months, five more after that, and so on. Before we know it, our country would be relying on the power of the Industrial Hemp plant versus dirty oil.

Shop Hemp Traders today for a greener and more innovative tomorrow. Click here to shop and support Hemp Traders today!

Stacie Fortson, GGWHSF

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Wears_No_Clothes

https://www.hemptraders.com/About-Us-s/1670.htm?Click=11752