US Hemp Roundtable Announces 2025 Officers and Focus on Protecting Direct-to-Consumer Online Sales

This story was updated to include a quote from US Hemp Roundtable President Jena Murray.

The US Hemp Roundtable, a coalition of companies and organizations advocating for safe hemp and CBD products through sound regulations, recently made announcements on updates in the organization. First, on February 7, the new officers for 2025 were announced. The new leadership will help to continue the organization’s mission of advocating for the interests of farmers, businesses, and other stakeholders in the hemp industry, and to develop a dependable supply chain of commerce.

The 10 new officers are:

• President: Jena Murray, Director of Quality and Regulatory, Medterra CBD
• Executive Vice President: Art Massolo, VP Business Development, Cycling Frog
• Chair: Clifford Starke, Chief Executive Officer, Just Brands
• Senior Vice President: Fred Cawthon, Chief Executive Officer, Verge Agritech
• Vice President for Membership: Inga Selders, Policy Director, American Shaman
• Vice President for Marketing and Outreach: Jim Higdon, CEO, Cornbread Hemp
• Vice President for Direct to Consumer: Aaron Nosbisch, BREZ
• Vice President for Audit: Jeromy Sherman, Bayou City Hemp
• Secretary: Cameron Ruffin Frost Brown Todd
• Treasurer: John Copeland, Blue and Co. Accounting

Newly appointed President of the US Hemp Roundtable Jena Murray shared a statement on her appointment: "I am honored to serve as the President of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. I look forward to working alongside my fellow officers and members to advance and strengthen the hemp industry. This year holds immense potential, and together, we will continue advocating for unified, responsible, and reasonable federal regulations that support the industry’s growth and integrity."

The announcement also included a message of gratitude to outgoing President of the Hemp Roundtable, Pete Meachum, who was president for the past three years.

Additionally, a February 5, 2025, industry update explained that the Board of Directors had recently voted unanimously that it would be prioritizing the protection of direct-to-consumer (DTC) online sales as an essential component of the success of the hemp industry.

Jonathan Miller, US Hemp Roundtable’s General Counsel, explained in a video statement: “We will continue working diligently with our friends in the alcohol and cannabis industries to develop strong regulatory frameworks for retail, but it is equally important to preserve online DTC for all hemp product lines. A significant majority of hemp revenue comes from online sales—removing this option would devastate farmers, small businesses, and consumers.”

He also added comments on consumer health and public safety. “We strongly support the requirement of robust, third-party age-verification technology to keep adult products out of the hands of minors while meeting modern consumer demand. The alternative to thoughtful regulation online and at retail is an expanded illicit market, which threatens public health and safety. Let’s protect free enterprise, foster innovation, and work together to build a thriving, sustainable marketplace for everyone. We value your thoughts on this critical issue—please join us in shaping a fair, innovative future for hemp.”

References

1. US Hemp Roundtable. 2025 U.S. Hemp Roundtable Officers https://hempsupporter.com/news/2025-u-s-hemp-roundtable-officers/ (accessed Feb 10, 2025).
2. US Hemp Roundtable. U.S. Hemp Roundtable Board of Directors Unanimously Votes to Prioritize the Protection of Direct to Consumer Online Sales. https://hempsupporter.com/news/u-s-hemp-roundtable-board-of-directors-unanimously-votes-to-prioritize-the-protection-of-direct-to-consumer-online-sales/ (accessed Feb 10, 2025).