Long before its prohibition, growing hemp was an American tradition. American Original Hemp honors that tradition, and the liberation of growing and using hemp.

​Nathen and Shelby Maxwell founded AO Hemp to affirm their shared passion for cannabis. Throughout his storied career as an internationally recognized musician with the RIAA certified Gold and Platinum-selling band Flogging Molly, Nathen has been a dedicated advocate for cannabis. Shelby discovered the benefits of CBD after studying the phytocannabinoid, and became committed to spreading the word about its impact on her health and wellbeing.

Together, Nathen and Shelby knew they wanted to bring hemp and its benefits to the public with AO Hemp—a CBD brand dedicated to the heart-centered values of tradition, liberty, and compassion. 
 
AO Hemp is sun-grown, hand-harvested and carefully cured. Young plants are tended to in greenhouses before being transplanted to mature under the Colorado sun for optimal CBD production. Once harvested, the hemp is extracted and refined before undergoing rigorous testing for cannabinoid potency, contaminants, and shelf stability. 
 
AO Hemp products include CBD-rich oral tinctures, capsules, and a pain relief lotion. The line will soon expand to include lozenges, gummies, tattoo balms and CBD for pets—with one offering specially made for large-breed dogs (in honor of their great dane, Chief.) 
 
Valuing the DIY philosophy of their punk rock community, Nathen and Shelby aim to inspire, educate, and provide quality, affordable CBD to those who cannot produce it themselves. AO Hemp puts people first, honoring hemp heroes like Jack Herer, Willie Nelson, and the late, great Bob Marley—advocates for the truth, liberation, and education of the many benefits of cannabis. “To us, hemp is the healing of the nation,” the couple says. 

NATHEN MAXWELL:
​OWNER/FOUNDER

Nathen Maxwell, the founder of AO Hemp, is a father, professional musician, and a proprietor. He has played bass guitar in the RIAA Certified Gold and Platinum selling band Flogging Molly for around 23 years, touring the world extensively during that time. Ever since reading Jack Herer’s ‘The Emperor Wears No Clothes’ in his early twenties, he has been a dedicated advocate for cannabis, spending time working in the medical marijuana industry in Northern California. Through that work he affirmed a life long passion for all things cannabis.

SHELBY MAXWELL:
​OWNER/FOUNDER

Shelby Maxwell, a mother and musician, is the co-founder of AO Hemp and the wife of Nathen Maxwell. Her background in sales, marketing, branding, and social media is extensive, spanning well over 10 years. This experience helped greatly when she began designing the look of the brand. Her passion for CBD comes from a personal use and a studying of the phytocannabinoid for different conditions and ailments, especially mental health. CBD has so positively impacted her health and well-being, that it has inspired her to become a committed advocate for cannabis.

​Jennifer Kelley:
​Owner/Sales Manager

Jennifer Kelley is the Sales Manager for AO Hemp. Her passion surrounding hemp stems from when she was a teenager. Her father worked diligently with the Rocky Mtn Hemp group back in the 90’s to educate the public surrounding the benefits of hemp, and to push for legalization. 17 years later, she has worked in the cannabis industry for 5 years, educating patients on the benefits of cannabinoids, including CBD. She has written an educational manual for the Colorado police task force that has been distributed all across North America; as well as working with the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division to help set the foundation of Cannabis and Hemp regulations. Jennifer is extremely passionate about the benefits of hemp, and her desire to educate those around her is unwavering.