"This year, 4/20 isn't just a celebration, it's a call to action"

As 4/20 approaches, a day widely recognized for celebrating cannabis culture, Hometown Hero, a manufacturer of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, is using the moment to spotlight the broader challenges and opportunities facing the legal hemp industry

With federal uncertainty, inconsistent state laws and new legislation threatening to dismantle entire markets, including Texas's booming hemp sector, this 4/20 is about more than festivity. It's about protecting an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in revenue, and millions of adult consumers and veterans who continue to use hemp-derived products for wellness, relief and personal choice.

4/20 wish list for 2025:
Common-sense regulation, not prohibition. The future of hemp depends on smart rules that protect consumers while preserving access, jobs and innovation, not blanket bans.

Keep families working. The hemp-derived cannabinoid industry supports over 325,000 jobs and $13.2 billion in wages across the U.S., according to Whitney Economics.

More education, less stigma. Hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but conflation with marijuana, along with fearmongering and misinformation, continue to fuel misperceptions.

Protect consumer choice. Millions of adults and veterans continue to use hemp-derived cannabinoids to improve overall wellness. Responsible access must be preserved.

Federal stability. Preservation and codification of the 2018 Farm Bill would support and advance an already vibrant hemp industry.

Smarter tax policy. Excessive taxes on legal hemp products hurt businesses and restrict access, particularly for those who use hemp for daily wellness.

Encourage innovation. From farming to formulation, the hemp industry continues to drive product breakthroughs. Thoughtful policy should support, not stifle, innovation.

Better banking access. Despite being federally legal, hemp companies still face hurdles to securing banking, credit, and financial services, holding back growth.

An industry worth protecting
In Texas alone, hemp-derived cannabinoids generated $4.3 billion in sales, $268 million in tax revenue and supported 53,300 jobs with wages totaling over $2.1 billion. Nationally, the market is estimated to be worth $28–35 billion, with over $1.5 billion in tax revenues to states.

"This year, 4/20 isn't just a celebration, it's a call to action," said Lukas Gilkey, cofounder and CEO of Hometown Hero. "We're working at every level, from Congress to local statehouses, to ensure the hemp industry is preserved through fair, responsible legislation. Texans and Americans don't want prohibition. They want common-sense policies that protect public safety, create jobs and ensure adult access to hemp products they trust."