Joe Hickey Sr. Takes Time 4 Hemp
A Hemp Hero Who Helped Revive an American Legacy
Written by Casper Leitch
When it comes to the modern movement to end hemp prohibition and legalize cannabis in the United States, few names carry as much weight and respect as Joe Hickey Sr. A trailblazer rooted in the heart of Kentucky, Hickey has spent over three decades reshaping public policy, pushing legal boundaries, and building an economic future around industrial hemp. His journey is more than just activism, it’s a legacy of transformation that’s helped reinvigorate an entire industry once lost to outdated laws and stigma.
Hickey’s story began in 1992, when he unearthed the forgotten Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association, an organization originally established in 1942. Seeing hemp's potential to boost local economies, support sustainable agriculture, and provide a wide range of hemp products, he reincorporated the association and rallied a coalition of forward-thinking farmers, lawmakers, and environmentalists. His passion and persistence led to the formation of the Kentucky Hemp Task Force with the support of Governor Brereton Jones and brought the first International Hemp Conference to the state, both pivotal steps toward hemp legalization in America.
Perhaps one of the most iconic moments in Hickey’s fight for hemp came in 1996, when he joined forces with actor and environmental activist Woody Harrelson. Together, they tested the law by planting four hemp seeds in Kentucky soil, daring authorities to challenge the act in court. This bold protest didn’t just grab headlines, it forced policymakers and the public to question the logic of banning industrial hemp. Hickey helped secure support from influential bodies like the Kentucky Farm Bureau and even played a role in drafting the legislation that eventually allowed Kentucky farmers to legally grow hemp once again.
Joe Hickey's impact didn't stop at the farm gate. As Co-Founder and Chairman of Halcyon Holdings and a founding member of LipidBond’s pioneering botanical infusion technology, he’s brought cutting-edge innovation to the hemp industry. These efforts have further clarified the distinction between industrial hemp and high-THC cannabis, helping educate regulators and support the expansion of both the hemp and medical cannabis markets. Hickey’s strategic leadership continues through roles on boards like the National Hemp Growers Association, Global Hemp Association, and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America.
Now chronicling his decades-long journey in an upcoming book, Joe Hickey Sr. remains a powerful voice in the fight to end global hemp prohibition. His work has laid the groundwork for a thriving hemp economy and continues to inspire cannabis and hemp advocates around the world. For those who dream of a future where medical marijuana is legal, hemp is fully embraced as a sustainable resource, and prohibition is a relic of the past, Joe Hickey Sr. is living proof that dedicated activism can make that future real.
