U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota Officials, and Business Leaders to Hold Emergency Press Conference on Federal Hemp Ban
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Minnesota Hemp Industry Emergency Response Press Conference will bring together U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota State Senator Lindsey Port, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota business leaders, and hemp industry stakeholders, in response to the recently passed federal hemp ban.
The new federal language is destined to wipe out a massive, responsible, well-regulated industry overnight, with catastrophic losses in jobs, revenue, and tax base across the full supply chain in Minnesota and beyond, from farmers and processors to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers.
WHO:
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota
State Senator Lindsey Port, Minnesota
Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis
Bob Galligan, Director of Government & Industry Relations, MN Craft Brewers Guild
Jon Halper, CEO & Owner, Top Ten Liquors
Omar Ansari, President, Surly Brewing Company
Jim Diley, COO & Co-Founder, Fulton Brewing
Daniel Justesen, President, Utepils Brewing
Kevin Hilliard, Co-Founder, Insight Brewing
Ryan Kopperud, VP of Growth, Birdie & Wild State Cider
WHEN: Friday, November 21, 2025 — 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM central time
WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Press Conference Area — Minnesota State Capitol
WHY: Minnesota built one of the most thoughtful and well-regulated hemp markets in the country, only to see it effectively shut down by a last-minute federal language change. Speakers will outline the immediate economic and community impact on Minnesota and the nation, and call for urgent federal clarification and legislative relief to protect the hemp industry and the jobs, businesses, revenue, and tax base it supports locally and nationally.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Remarks will be followed by time for questions and one-on-one interviews with speakers as schedules allow.
RSVP TO CONFIRM ATTENDANCE: ryan@wildstatecider.com
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