In Memoriam: Rus Willis (1953-2025)

• By: AHPA
• On: 09/30/2025 14:01:31
• In: AHPA News

September 30, 2025

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is saddened to share the passing of “Rus” Richard King Willis on September 19, 2025, at the age of 72.

Born July 5, 1953, in Washington, D.C., Rus led a life full of adventure, reinvention, and dedication to his passions. After beginning his career in sheet metal work, a serious injury set him on a new path. In 1978, he moved to Montana to pursue his dream of becoming an outfitter and guide, ultimately riding more than 20,000 miles by horse and mule and leading hundreds of big game hunts and countless fishing trips across the country.

In 1994, Rus turned his focus to herbal medicine and founded longtime AHPA member company Bighorn Botanicals, where he championed the benefits of Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia). He often expressed gratitude to AHPA for helping Bighorn Botanicals navigate the complex regulatory landscape for herbal supplements, crediting the association’s guidance as vital to the company’s survival.

His connection to AHPA was also deeply personal — Rus was a close friend of late, longtime AHPA President Michael McGuffin, with whom he shared not only a passion for herbs and botanicals but also a deep sense of purpose in serving the herbal community. Over nearly three decades, he grew Bighorn Botanicals into a respected business, later passing it to his youngest daughter upon his retirement. Through this work, Rus shared his belief in the healing power of plants and helped improve the lives of people and animals alike.

“Rus personified the community spirit of AHPA,” said Amber Bennett, AHPA Vice President of Marketing & Engagement. “His generosity, friendship, and dedication to the herbal community left a lasting mark. We look forward to carrying on his work with his daughter Chelsey and honoring his legacy for years to come.”

Rus was a devoted father, grandfather, husband, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Anne; his four children — Jesse, Katie, Chase, and Chelsey — and ten grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as “Boppa.” His family will announce final plans for a celebration of his life, to be held in July 2026.

AHPA extends heartfelt condolences to Rus’s family, friends, and colleagues. His adventurous spirit and contributions to the herbal products community will be long remembered.

AHPA honors Edward Fletcher with inaugural Michael McGuffin Extraordinary Service Award

• By: AHPA
• On: 09/23/2025 07:16:06
• In: AHPA News

September 23, 2025
 

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce Edward Fletcher of Native Botanicals, Inc., as the recipient of the inaugural Michael McGuffin Extraordinary Service Award. The special award was presented to Ed by AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby last week at the 2025 AHPA Botanical Congress in Cincinnati.
 
At the recommendation of AHPA’s Communications Committee, the AHPA Board of Trustees recently established this new award in honor of the late, longtime AHPA President Michael McGuffin. The award is intended to recognize individuals or organizations that embody Michael’s spirit of “extraordinary service” to the herbal products community.
 
While “extraordinary service” can be difficult to define — given Michael’s boundless dedication to future generations, to small businesses, and to the plants themselves — it is unmistakable when seen. Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene last year, the herbal community saw exactly that in Ed. From distributing supplies and aiding recovery efforts — chainsaw in hand — to having Native Botanicals donate all profits to disaster relief in the directly impacted Appalachian community, Ed’s generosity and tireless service provided essential support when it was needed most.
 
His efforts, combined with a lifetime of commitment to plants and the botanical industry, deeply moved the herbal community — and Michael himself. Before his passing, Michael was brought to tears recounting Ed’s contributions and expressed his hope for Ed to be recognized for his heroic actions.
 
“It’s been a long journey through many things with Michael and, now, without him,” Ed reminisced fondly as he accepted the award established as a tribute to his longtime friend and fellow herbal champion. “It’s an honor to receive this award.”

“At the AHPA Annual Member Meeting at Expo West, I once said, ‘It’s nice to look out and see you, friends and colleagues’ — and I put it in that order on purpose. To me, you are not only my colleagues but also my friends,” Ed continued. “That’s how I see this industry: the plants bring us together, but it’s the people that keep us together.”
 
With the unanimous support of AHPA’s Communications Committee and Board of Trustees — including Michael’s life partner, Staci Eisner — this award carries special meaning as a tribute to both Michael’s legacy and Ed’s example of service. AHPA is honored to recognize Edward Fletcher as the first recipient of the Michael McGuffin Extraordinary Service Award and to celebrate the spirit of generosity and community that will guide this honor for years to come.

AHPA launches new Technology & AI Innovation Committee

• By: AHPA
• On: 09/22/2025 07:38:16
• In: AHPA News

September 22, 2025

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has announced the formation of its new Technology & AI Innovation Committee to help members explore opportunities, navigate challenges, and apply best practices in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies.
 
The committee will be chaired by Asa Waldstein, Founder & Principal of Apex Compliance®, who brings decades of experience at the intersection of natural products, technology, and regulatory compliance.
 
“AI is an amazing technology and truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Waldstein. “But with such potential also comes risk. I’m excited to help provide guidance so companies can explore AI both safely and creatively.”
 
“There is no better person to chair this new committee than longtime AHPA member Asa Waldstein: a technologist who understands herbs and plants and is deeply knowledgeable about AI,” added AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby.
 
The committee will convene its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, October 29 at 11:00am PT during SupplySide Global, with the option to join virtually via Zoom.
 
All AHPA members and industry colleagues with an interest in AI, digital innovation, and the future of technology in the herbal and natural products industries are encouraged to attend.

New Annex III signals tariff relief for some herbs

• By: AHPA
• On: 09/07/2025 12:20:07
• In: Regulation / Legislation

Late Friday, the Trump administration published an executive order taking a range of actions in relation to its tariff policies. Among other changes, the order creates a new “Annex III”, which contains commodities for which the President may remove reciprocal tariffs in particular finalized trade agreements. Included in this annex are commodities “that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States or grown, mined, or naturally produced in sufficient quantities in the United States to satisfy domestic demand,” Including a number of herbs and substances used in the manufacture of dietary supplements. Included without further limitation are commodities such as:
 

• Cinnamon (0906.11.00, 0906.19.00, 0906.20.00)

• Ginger (0910.11.00, 0910.12.00)

• Green tea (0902.10.10, 0902.10.90, 0902.20.10, 0902.20.90)

• Gum Arabic (1301.20.00)

• Single-cell micro-organisms, dead, excluding yeasts [generally including red yeast rice] (2102.20.60)

• Turmeric (0910.30.00)

• Resinoids [including Boswellia] (3301.30.00)

However, three critical considerations are important when viewing this annex.

First, commodities listed in this annex are not now exempt from tariffs; this annex is solely a representation of commodities that may be subject to a zero percent reciprocal tariff rate under some circumstances and from some countries, dependent upon the final trade agreement language. Any preexisting tariff rates applicable to a given commodity would also still apply.

Second, many commodity codes included in Annex III are subject to scope restrictions. For example, subheading 2106.90.99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a large “catchall” category that includes “herbal teas and herbal infusions comprising mixed herbs”. Unfortunately, the entry under the same subheading in Annex III is limited to “Acai preparations for the manufacture of beverages”. Several major herbal commodities are included as part of commodity headings that are otherwise restricted, including Boswellia (1301.90.91) and psyllium seed husk (1301.90.91).

Third, Annex III also includes a number of vitamin and other commodities in Chapter 29 of the HTS which are currently exempt from reciprocal tariffs because they are also listed in “Annex II” and subject to ongoing investigations which may result in import controls under a separate authority. However, these overlapping Annex III entries are generally subject to a limitation and include “only non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications”.

AHPA is preparing a comparison document identifying herbal commodities included or not included in Annex III, and applicable limitations. This document will be added to the AHPA Tariff Toolkit.

“The inclusion of these commodities in Annex III is a promising acknowledgment from the administration,” said Robert Marriott, AHPA VP of Government & Regulatory Affairs. “We will redouble our efforts to ensure a greater range of unavailable natural resources are included in final trade agreements.”

The executive order also modifies Annex II to add some additional commodity codes not generally of interest to the dietary supplements trade. The updated Annex II will also be included in the AHPA Tariff Toolkit.

AHPA launches Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund

• By: AHPA
• On: 09/02/2025 12:13:14
• In: AHPA News

September 2, 2025
 

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, established in honor of late AHPA President Michael McGuffin, whose visionary leadership and dedication transformed the herbal products industry.

The fund builds on McGuffin’s legacy of generosity and mentorship, providing meaningful support to individuals, companies, and organizations across the herbal products community. Through financial awards and support, the endowment helps emerging leaders, innovators, and advocates grow, thrive, and make a lasting impact in the industry he devoted his life to.

The fund’s mission is to:

• Nurture new leaders in the botanical and herbal products industry

• Curate inspired industry vision to guide future innovation

• Increase herbal knowledge through education and research

• Support sustainability in the botanical supply chain and herbal products industry

• Sustain AHPA’s mission for generations to come
   

“Michael had a remarkable gift for fostering connections and welcoming people into this industry — so many colleagues share stories of how meeting Michael inspired them or opened doors for their careers,” said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. “With the creation of the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund through the AHPA ERB Foundation, AHPA aims to carry forward his unifying, bridge-building spirit by offering financial support to those who may not otherwise have the means to break into or engage with this community — just as Michael did for so many over the years.”

The Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund is operated and managed by the AHPA ERB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by McGuffin in 1997, during his 25-year tenure as AHPA President, and dedicated to advancing botanical education and research. Donations to the fund are tax-deductible and now being accepted.

By contributing, donors can play an active role in continuing McGuffin’s legacy — supporting the next generation of leaders, fostering innovation, and strengthening the herbal products community. Contributions of any size are welcome and can be made by check, credit card, wire transfer, or ACH.

Award criteria, eligibility requirements, and application details are currently being developed and will be announced when available. To learn more about the fund or for assistance with your donation, please contact endowment@ahpa.org.