Winona LaDuke, a White Earth Nation member who runs Winona’s Hemp and Heritage Farm in Pine Point, blames the U.S. government for “regulatory jiu-jitsu” that threatens Minnesota’s hemp industry. She warns that the 2026 farm bill, enacted in November 2025, imposes federal controls that jeopardize both fiber and CBD producers.
LaDuke, who has held federal and state permits for a decade, claims she is Minnesota’s longest‑growing hemp farmer. She only cultivates fiber hemp, not cannabidiol, and stresses that her operation has no affiliation with CBD products.
A living use case for CBD hemp
While the new rules target CBD products, LaDuke calls the ban “just wrong.” She points to the health benefits of cannabigerol, a non‑psychoactive compound studied by the NIH for therapeutic effects.
Fiber hemp resembles bamboo, stays under 0.3% THC, and differs sharply from CBD plants that look like a Christmas tree and can reach 37% THC in marijuana.
Her farm belongs to a nationwide cooperative that includes Canadian members, most of whom grow fiber hemp. She notes that the lack of processing infrastructure and erratic regulations hinder small farmers.
LaDuke, a 67‑year‑old CBG user, says she takes the cannabinoid for pain relief and refuses to be penalized for it. She argues that restricting CBD harms patients with chronic aches who rely on hemp‑derived treatments.
Minnesota once hosted 11 hemp mills and a thriving hemp economy, but regulatory uncertainty has stalled growth. She urges lawmakers to protect fiber hemp growers while allowing legitimate CBD products.
Access to capital remains scarce, leaving many growers unable to expand or meet compliance costs. The chaotic regulatory environment makes it nearly impossible for new entrants.
Beyond crops, LaDuke highlights hempcrete’s fire‑resistant, mold‑proof qualities and its high R‑value, noting two reservation houses currently under construction. She envisions hemp textiles, bioplastics and rebar as future industry pillars.
