Colleen K. Lanier entered the industrial hemp scene in 2013 when she approached the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) to develop a state chapter program to bolster advocacy efforts in Tennessee. As a former legal assistant turned publishing and marketing coordinator for a water and wastewater trade association, Colleen dedicated her talent and executed a successful strategy to legalize hemp in Tennessee. The campaign included a widely shared educational component that reached 20 million people on social media. In 2014, Vote Hemp recruited as National Outreach Coordinator. She’s worked with activists, policy writers, regulators, legislators and industry stakeholders to identify pathways for the hemp industries.
In 2017, Colleen became Executive Director of the HIA. She works with the Board of Directors to lead the vision and execute strategies for the association in the interest of the hemp industries. Protecting opportunities for hemp in agriculture and commerce remain a critical focus. Colleen led the engagement with Hoban Law Group to facilitate swift board action resulting in HIA v. DEA III. Colleen is also working to establish a legal defense fund for the industries and envisions the normalization of hemp farming and the crop’s commodities in the marketplace and the home.