Geoffrey W. Whaling

Presentation Title:

Where We Are, Challenges and Solutions and, Where We Are Going

Geoffrey W. Whaling, Chair, National Hemp Association

Abstract:

Mr. Whaling will reflect on the status of federal legislation and regulations, the reality of raising capital and, findings of the National Hemp Report. Finally, Mr. Whaling will discuss the pathway to advance the largest opportunities and segment of the hemp industry - fiber and grain.

Bio:

Mr. Whaling recently announced rePlant Hemp Advisors LLC, which has created a first-to-market ESG $500M fund focused on building the US hemp for food and fiber supply chain. He will serve as Co-founder, President and General Partner of the new entity. www.replanthemp.com He served as Co-founder and President of publicly traded Collective Growth Corporation which combined on April 5, 2021 with Innoviz Technologies in a $1.4 billion transaction. Collective Growth Corporation, Co-founded by Whaling raised $150 million before beginning public trading under the ticker symbol CGRO in April 2020.

Mr. Whaling has volunteered for seven years to advance the hemp crop in North America and has served for five years as Chair of the National Hemp Association, one of the world’s largest Hemp advocacy group.

He is considered as one of the leading voices and experts on hemp as a fiber and crop commodity.

Mr. Whaling has worked with The White House and Members of Congress to pass federal legislation and is now focused on developing an industry, with groups including USDA, State Regulators, the WTO, EU and the United Nations, addressing issues as this industry evolves. These efforts has resulted in the establishment of the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO), based in Brussels on which Whaling serves as a Founding Member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Whaling was Co-Founder and former President of Canopy Growth Corporation HIP and Strategic Advisor, CBD and Hemp to the world’s largest Hemp and Cannabis Company. In those roles, Geoff lead CGC’s expansion into the Hemp and CBD industry. CGC grew to a market value of $22B, before Geoff quit so to advance building the hemp supply chain in America.

No matter the detours, Whaling is committed to continue his efforts to build the global hemp supply chain.

Born in Canada, a duel citizen Geoff Whaling’s areas of expertise are wide ranging given the diversity of his government, business, entrepreneurial and philanthropic work. A profound sense of “wanting to serve” remains an integral part in his life.