In the debut of Vice’s latest show, ‘Kings of Hemp’, viewers are introduced to David “Duke” Lawson, whose life took an unexpected turn following the birth of his daughter. During an emergency C-section, Duke sensed something was amiss. “She just seemed to be pleading for assistance right from the start,” he shared in an interview.
His daughter, Lily, spent her earliest days in the NICU surrounded by machines and lights, and soon enough, doctors confirmed Duke’s fears: Lily was born with a rare genetic disorder involving a complex duplication of chromosomes 1 and 13. The rarity of the condition left both Duke and his wife uncertain about Lily’s future, with doctors unable to predict if she would ever walk, talk, or form connections. They quickly realized they would have to navigate this journey without any available support groups.
Now ten years old, Lily is described by her dad as a vibrant and loving child whose purpose is to connect with others. She has undergone numerous medical procedures, including heart surgery at age four. While she faces challenges with feeding, sleeping, and social interactions, Duke consistently marvels at her strength and resilience. “She’s like this unstoppable force,” he said, noting her sense of humor that even earned her an award at school.
However, when Lily started experiencing seizures at seven, the family faced another hurdle. A neurologist prescribed medication that led to severe side effects, including a significant weight loss and, most distressingly, a drastic change in Lily’s personality. Duke felt as if he had lost his daughter.
It was Lily’s mother who suggested trying CBD. Initially hesitant, Duke’s understanding of hemp was limited to its recreational use. But faced with the alternative of losing his daughter, he and his wife decided to wean Lily off her medication and introduce her to CBD. The results were encouraging; Lily began to regain her personality, and the CBD seemed to stabilize her seizures, improve her sleep, and reduce her anxiety.
Duke’s journey took a pivotal turn during a visit to a hemp farm in Vermont, where he realized that this was the source of the medicine that was helping his daughter. At 49, this former OxiClean spokesperson made a bold career shift to become a hemp farmer, despite having no prior experience in agriculture. He was determined to create a product that met the highest standards for his daughter.
He named his farm “HEMPHAVEN,” symbolizing a joyful refuge. The name combines “hemp,” which is the plant that has been pivotal in Lily’s recovery, and “haven,” representing a safe place. Duke aims to demystify the hemp industry, highlighting its benefits while educating the public about the differences between healthy CBD and recreational cannabis.
Duke collaborated with a television producer to document his transformation from a TV personality to an organic farmer. This endeavor led to the creation of the series ‘Kings of Hemp,’ which premiered recently on Vice TV. Throughout this journey, Duke faced numerous challenges, including adverse weather conditions and the pandemic, yet he remained steadfast and earned organic certification for his farm.
In his first year, Duke’s farm produced 66,000 plants, which grew to 75,000 in year two. Feedback from customers reveals that their CBD products are alleviating various ailments, including anxiety and sleep disturbances. What began as a father’s quest to find healing for his daughter has evolved into a venture that supports many others.
Duke emphasizes the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone for personal growth and healing, stating, “No magic happens in the comfort zone.” For him and Lily, every step taken has been worthwhile.
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Summary
Duke Lawson’s journey from a TV spokesperson to a hemp farmer is documented in Vice’s ‘Kings of Hemp.’ Following the birth of his daughter, Lily, who has a rare genetic disorder, Duke navigated numerous challenges, including the devastating effects of medications on her health. Turning to CBD as a solution, he established HEMPHAVEN to provide quality hemp products while educating others about the benefits of CBD. His story highlights resilience, the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and the healing power of nature.