Founded by two Kentucky-born cousins, Cornbread Hemp offers a totally new tourism experience right outside of downtown Louisville.

Just as Kentucky’s most famous distilleries are open for tours and tastings, Cornbread Hemp designed its Louisville headquarters with visitors in mind. The company, one of America’s largest hemp brands, invites guests to take a behind-the-scenes look at how they transform Kentucky-grown hemp into gummies, tinctures, topicals, and other THC and CBD products. For cannabis-friendly travelers, it’s a welcome alternative to the bourbon-beaten path.

A Brand With Deep Kentucky Roots

Neither of Cornbread’s owners comes from the hemp industry. The company gets its name from journalist and co-founder Jim Higdon’s The Cornbread Mafia, a bestselling book about Kentucky’s infamous cannabis-growing history. His cousin and Cornbread CEO Eric Zipperle worked for Mint Julep Experiences, a luxury bourbon tour company. When the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp cultivation, the pair saw an opportunity to build a meaningful brand that honored both the long tradition of Kentucky-produced hemp and their own family legacy.

“From the beginning, our vision has been to build the Maker’s Mark of hemp,” says Eric. In fact, the cousins’ roots are inexplicably linked with the iconic Kentucky bourbon brand. “Our grandmother was born in the building that’s now the Maker’s Mark Visitors Center,” Eric shares. “Her grandparents were taking care of the grounds while the owner was in jail for moonshining.”

The company grows its hemp in nearby Marion County, Kentucky, where much of the state’s historic cannabis lore originated. While guests don’t visit the farm itself, they learn about the plant and cultivation at the start of the tour.

The Cornbread Tour Experience

Cornbread Hemp offers two unique tour experiences, both of which give guests a “farm-to-label” understanding the science behind the plant and an appreciation of the high quality standards that Cornbread’s USDA-certified-organic, flower-only prodcuts adhere to. “We want people to immerse themselves in everything Cornbread and become experts on what we do,” Eric says.

The 60-minute Classic Tour & Tasting starts in the Welcome Center, where guests watch a short video about Kentucky’s long, hemp-filled heritage before heading into the production facility. There, they learn about each stage of the manufacturing process and meet the people responsible for actually making the products.

For an even deeper dive and a more intimate experience, the 90-minute VIP Behind-the-Scenes Tour & Tasting not only accommodates no more than six guests at a time, it offers a coveted opportunity to suit up in protective gear and actually see the process up close, from extraction to packaging.

And of course, as all good tours do, Cornbread’s experiences end in the gift shop, where customers can buy edibles, tinctures, balms, and merch.

Why Kentucky Grows Top-Quality Hemp

One of the most fascinating parts of the experience is learning why Kentucky has become such an important place for hemp cultivation. It’s a concept wine drinkers recognize immediately: terroir.

According to Cornbread, the state’s famous limestone-filtered water plays a major role. The same limestone-rich geology that helped make Kentucky bourbon world-famous also creates ideal agricultural conditions for hemp.

Kentucky’s growing conditions closely match those found in some of the plant’s historic native environments. Eric points to the state’s location along the 37th parallel, roughly the same latitude as the Hindu Kush mountain range, where cannabis is believed to have originated. “We don’t even need artificial lighting,” he explains. “We plant it in the ground and come back three months later to harvest.”

What are the cannabis laws in Kentucky?

While Kentucky administers a medical cannabis program, recreational cannabis use is still banned. However, hemp-derived THC and CBD products are legal with the proper permits, licenses, and certifications. You can find hemp-derived edibles, topicals, and more at stores throughout the state.

Plan Your Visit

Bourbon built Kentucky’s tourism reputation. Cornbread Hemp is betting hemp can add to that story, too. Here’s how you can be a part of it.

📍Location: 4612 Schuff Ave Louisville, KY 40213
☎️ Phone number: (502) 289-1552
🔗 Website: cornbreadhemp.com
🕙 Store Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday: 11 am to 5 pm
🎟️ Tour Times: Classic Tours start at 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm. VIP Tours start at 10 am and 3 pm. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.
💰 Cost: Classic Tour & Tasting: $19.99 person FREE WITH PROMO CODE HIGHWAYS!; VIP Tour & Tasting: $59.99 per person.
🛏️ Stay over: Find a nearby hotel in Louisville, KY.

Local Recommendations from Cornbread’s CEO

Cornbread Hemp is just one of many exciting places to visit in Louisville. Here are Eric’s top spots to visit when you’re in town.

🐎 Churchill Downs: Home of the Kentucky Derby and one of the most iconic horse-racing venues in the world.
⚾ Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: Watching the famous baseball bats being manufactured is “the coolest thing to do in Louisville,” says Eric.
🐝 Muhammad Ali Center: An interactive museum dedicated to Louisville’s most famous son.
🍽️ Jack Fry’s: A beloved steakhouse that has been serving customers since 1933.
🚐 Mint Julep Experiences: Luxury tours of the Bourbon Trail where Eric earned his tourism chops.
😱 Waverly Hills Sanatorium: One of America’s most famous haunted locations.
🛍️ NuLu: Short for “New Louisville,” this vibrant district is packed with restaurants, bars, galleries, boutiques, and bourbon experiences.

Try Cornbread Hemp for Yourself

If you can’t make the trip to Louisville, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get your hands on Cornbread products. The brand’s website makes it easy to order items to be delivered right to your door. You can also use the store locator to check out where to purchase in person near you.

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What are your favorite Kentucky tourist attractions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.