Pubdate: Mon, 29 Feb 2016
Source: Daily Local, The (PA)
Copyright: 2016 Daily Local News - a Journal Register Property
Contact:  http://www.dailylocal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4704
Author: BrianMcCullough

LOCAL STARTUP SEES GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES WITH HEMP PRODUCTS

Andrew Follett Introduces 'Cannagenix' Line of Hemp Foods With Plans 
to Grow His Own

Andrew Follett is like many entrepreneurs in the area: young, 
energetic, with a burning desire to talk about his newest venture.

But unlike those who have created the latest app or video game, 
Follett has a public relations hurdle to clear before his startup can 
become a success.

That's because Follett Health Solutions LLC sells the "highest 
quality hemp foods and ingredients, to retail, food service, bulk 
customer, as well as end consumer product manufactures."

But before readers get the idea that Follett is pushing to legalize 
the use of marijuana in food products, he hopes they take time to 
educate themselves on a product that is as old as the nation.

"It is part of the American dream," the 30-year-old Exton resident 
and father of one said last week during an interview at the Liberty 
Union Bar and Grill in Chester Springs, which uses one of Follett's 
products on one of its most popular pizzas. "We never would have 
gotten our independence without it. We never would have had our 
liberty and freedom."

According to supporters, GeorgeWashington grew hemp, as did Thomas 
Jefferson and John Adams on their lands.

While hemp and marijuana are two popular names for the cannabis 
plant, hemp contains very little of the THC compound that 
givesmarijuana its psychoactive qualities.

And its versatility makes it one of the most valued, underutilized 
plants available, said Follett, who is originally from Downingtown.

It can be used in flooring products, composite materials, plastics, 
paper, Hempcrete building materials, food products for human 
consumption, livestock and poultry feed, horse bedding, biofuels, 
land remediation, cover crops, and more.

Follett said there's a company in Florida that has built an entire 
car with hemp while Nissan and Mercedes use it in door panels, he said.

Others are using it instead of fish oil products, which many people 
ingest to lower bad cholesterol levels.

"We literally can save our oceans," Follett said. "There's not an 
industry right now that can't use hemp."

Follett has chosen food products as his initial entree into the business.

His "Cannagenix" brand hemp foods include Hemp Protein Powder, Hemp 
Hearts, Toasted Hemp Seed and Gluten Free Hemp Flour.

Current customers span the spectrum, from organic ranchers in the 
Midwest, to restaurateurs on the East Coast, he said.

Locally, in addition to the Liberty Union Bar and Grill, Follett's 
hemp-based products are found at the Nourish Juice Bar and Cafe in 
Kennett Square, the
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom