Advocacy
Apothio is an active member of the California and national hemp communities. It advocates for practical and reasonable hemp regulations at all levels of government. For example, it recently participated with Arvin, California officials regarding its recent hemp cultivation ordinance [link to news article]. And it continues to monitor developments with California’s Industrial Hemp Plan.
In addition, on April 10, 2020, Apothio sued Kern County, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and others in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California following their destruction of Apothio’s hemp crops in October 2019. The case number is 1:20-cv-00522. Apothio’s complaint [link to complaint] brings a number of claims under federal and state civil rights laws seeking approximately $1 billion in damages. Apothio has always cultivated hemp lawfully and hopes that its case can be a model for hemp growers nationwide.