When you walk into one of Dee Dee Taylor’s hemp stores — 502 Hemp in Middletown, 812 Hemp in Clarksville, or her newest shop inside Logan Street Market — you’ll notice something right away. The vibe is less about sales and more about education. Taylor, a longtime advocate for safe and responsible cannabis use, has built her business around one simple idea: these products can change lives if people understand how to use them correctly.
Listen to the full Audience502 Interview below:
“Education is just important,” Taylor says. “If you’re going to use these products, you need to know how to use them correctly, and they need to be safe products, too.”
It’s a philosophy rooted not in business ambition, but in family necessity.
502Hemp is located Moser Road near Middletown.
A Personal Beginning
Taylor’s journey into hemp started in 2009 when her husband, a veteran, began experiencing severe seizures. After trying traditional medications with little success, the couple discovered that cannabis oil helped control his condition. In 2014, he became one of Kentucky’s first licensed hemp processors, and Taylor soon followed.
“I really didn’t get into it myself until 2016, once I started using his CBD oil for my own anxiety and depression,” she recalls. “It just made such a big difference for me. I had to learn why it was helping my husband with seizures and also helping me.”
That curiosity turned into a mission. By 2016, Taylor was setting up at fairs and festivals around Louisville, educating anyone who would listen about CBD. In 2018 — just before the landmark Farm Bill legalized hemp nationwide — she opened her first brick-and-mortar store on Moser Road.
“I’ve been at it a lot longer than most out there,” she says with a smile. “Everything I’ve done has been based on education and quality products.”
812Hemp is located in Clarksville, Indiana.
Breaking Down Hemp Basics
For many people, the world of hemp and CBD can feel confusing, with terms like cannabinoids, Delta-9, and THC often used interchangeably. Taylor simplifies it with the patience of a teacher.
“Hemp is part of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s the exact same plant as marijuana,” she explains. “The government basically split the plant in half. Anything below 0.3% Delta-9 THC is considered hemp. Anything above that is considered marijuana.”
Both plants contain cannabinoids — chemical compounds like CBD and THC that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
“CBD is an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid,” Taylor says. “It helps with anxiety, it helps regulate your body, and it doesn’t produce the psychoactive effects that THC does.”
Her stores carry a wide range of products — oils, gummies, tinctures, vapes — each designed with specific goals in mind. Some are formulated to help with sleep, others for pain relief, anxiety, or conditions like Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, or autism.
“We all have an endocannabinoid system, and our bodies were actually built to receive these cannabinoids,” she says. “It should have never been taken out of our diet or made into a Schedule 1 narcotic. No one has ever died from using cannabis.”
The newest location is in the Logan Street Market.
Who’s Buying?
Walk into one of Taylor’s shops and you’ll see a diverse mix of customers: longtime users who know exactly what they want, newcomers curious about alternatives to pharmaceuticals, and even people seeking substitutes for alcohol.
“A lot of people are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Taylor says. “They’re looking for safe, natural alternatives, and cannabis truly gives that.”
The stories she hears are powerful.
“One veteran used to take up to 11 prescription medications,” she says. “He doesn’t take them at all anymore. He strictly uses our products to maintain his pain and PTSD. He’s just flourished.”
Others battling cancer have reported that CBD made chemotherapy more bearable. Parkinson’s patients tell her their tremors have eased. For Taylor, each testimonial reinforces her mission.
“Those stories always move me,” she says. “It’s amazing how these products work for everyone individually.”
Clearing Up Misconceptions
Even with hemp now firmly part of Kentucky’s economy, misconceptions remain.
“The biggest one I hear is: Is it legal?” Taylor says, laughing. “Yes, of course it is.”
Still, marijuana itself remains illegal in Kentucky — at least until the state’s new medical cannabis program rolls out later this year. And while hemp products like oils, gummies, and vapes are permitted, certain items, such as raw flower, are not.
“Technically, selling flower is illegal in Kentucky unless you’re a licensed farmer or processor,” Taylor explains. “I didn’t get in this business to become a criminal. I follow the law to the T.”
That commitment to compliance is why Taylor has also stepped into advocacy. As president of the Kentucky Hemp Association, she lobbies for smart regulation and works to eliminate bad actors who sell unsafe or untested products.
“I believe in these products being 21 and up, behind the counter, tested, and responsibly used,” she says. “Transparency is everything.”
Staying Informed
With hemp laws constantly evolving, Taylor spends much of her time keeping up with policy. She encourages her customers to do the same — whether by signing up for newsletters at 502hemp.com and 812hemp.com, listening to her podcast, “Hempin Happiness,” or following the Kentucky Hemp Association.
“People need to help educate their legislators,” she says. “Many of them are not truly aware of how beneficial these products are. The more our customers know, the more they can spread that knowledge to others that write laws they may be uneducated on. Unfortunately, it happened this last session with the hemp beverages, and now I cannot sell them without obtaining a liquor license.”
For First-Time Users
So, what happens when someone walks into 502 Hemp for the first time, unsure of what to buy or how to use it?
“Our first question is, why do you want to use these products? Are you in pain? Anxiety? Sleep issues? We learn what the customer is looking for, and we offer a few products to choose from. The main thing we tell our customers is to go slow,” Taylor says. “No matter what product you choose, start with a small amount and see how your body reacts.”
She stresses one important caveat: always check with a doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking prescription medications, since some may interact with cannabinoids.
“I’m not a doctor or a nurse,” she says. “We can guide you, but medical professionals are key.”
Looking Ahead
As Kentucky prepares to launch its medical cannabis program, Taylor sees both challenges and opportunities. The restrictions may limit access, but she believes hemp will remain a vital option — especially for people who want alternatives without the legal or lifestyle hurdles marijuana can bring.
“I always tell people, be open-minded,” she says. “If you’re curious about how these products can help you, come in, get educated, and see what works for you.”
With three stores, a loyal customer base, and a growing role in Kentucky’s hemp community, Taylor’s mission has already reached far beyond her husband’s seizures or her own struggles with anxiety.
“Everything I’ve done was started out of necessity,” she says. “But the more I researched, the more I realized these products should be offered to everyone. And they should be good quality, safe, and accessible. That’s what I’m here for.”
Store Locations:
- 502 Hemp – 201 Moser Road, Louisville
- 812 Hemp – 702 E. Lewis & Clark Parkway, Clarksville, Ind.
- Logan Street Market – 1001 Logan St., Louisville
Learn more at 502hemp.com or 812hemp.com
By G. Douglas Dreisbach
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