J.D. McCormick is the Chairman of the American Healthy Alternatives Association (AHAA), an organization advocating for healthier alternatives to opioids, alcohol, and prescription drugs. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the AHAA has focused on protecting and supporting the burgeoning hemp market in a post-prohibition landscape.

McCormick’s involvement with the Missouri Hemp Trade Association (MHTA) began when an executive order by Governor Parson attempted to ban various hemp products. Responding to calls from allies in Missouri, McCormick and the AHAA board decided to actively support MHTA’s efforts. As a non-officer board member, McCormick plays a key role in consulting, fundraising, political strategy, and grassroots engagement to protect the hemp industry in Missouri.

In his career, McCormick has opened four retail stores, started a hemp brand, and now leads the AHAA.

He views the hemp industry as a reflection of the American spirit and believes it represents the best of small business in a post-criminalization world. According to McCormick, the primary threat to the hemp industry is politics, not consumer demand. His vision for the industry in Missouri is one that mirrors craft breweries or vitamin shops—offering healthier alternatives that benefit consumers without the dangers of alcohol, which he notes causes 100,000 American deaths each year.

Outside of his professional life, McCormick is a martial artist and weightlifter, crediting these disciplines with instilling the determination and persistence he applies in the political arena. He is deeply committed to protecting the industry through hard work, consistent engagement, and political vigilance.

McCormick encourages continued support from MHTA members and stakeholders and invites them to engage with the board to help shape the future of Missouri’s hemp industry.