Oregon seed breeder asks for federal help getting hemp money owed in Kentucky

An Oregon hemp seed breeder is asking a federal court in Kentucky to help it get almost $2 million it received in a dispute with AmHemp Kentucky LLC of Murray.

Ashland, Oregon-based Phytonyx said in a lawsuit filed Monday that AmHemp Kentucky paid $1.1 million for some $3 million worth of high-CBD hemp seeds in 2019.

When Phytonyx sought the rest of the money, it went to arbitration to try to get the balance, a process agreed to by both parties when they agreed to do business, according to Phytonyx’s filing.

 

The American Arbitration Association’s Commercial Arbitration Tribunal awarded Phytonyx nearly $2 million last May, the balance owed plus some administrative costs.

But AmHemp has yet to pay, according to Phytonyx. It is asking a federal court in Kentucky to intervene.

AmHemp has not yet replied to the complaint. Law 360 first reported the dispute.