Industrial Hemp Bill Passes Kentucky Legislature
From the archive: published Mar 28, 2013, 13 years ago. Details may have changed since.
An industrial hemp bill has passed the Kentucky legislature in a move that may return the crop to the state. The legislation, Senate Bill 50, previously passed the state’s Senate.
If the bill is signed by Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Steve Beshear, it would allow the state to license hemp growers should the federal government ever lift its ban on the crop.
House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins (D-Cattlesburg) stated of the hemp bill:
“We have, in my opinion, put together a strong bill. We will be on the cutting edge and be ready to hit the ground running.”
The measure passed the House by a vote of 88-4 on Tuesday night. Minutes later, the Senate passed the bill 35-1. Beshear has not said whether or not he will sign the bill.
Hemp was once an integral part of Kentucky’s agriculture generations ago. However, farmers were forced out of hemp production when the federal government classified it as a controlled substance related to marijuana. Since then, it has been banned.
The idea of industrial hemp growing was taboo after the ban. However, it has become increasingly popular among Kentucky’s elected leaders in the past few years.
The legislation was initially pushed by Senate Republicans, who were joined by members of the US Congress from the state. However, House Democrats initially frowned on the idea.
But the industrial hemp bill was championed by Senate Republican Rand Paul along with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. The pair spoke in front of the Kentucky Senate on the benefit of the bill for the state. They also released statements about the bill’s passage, praising the legislature’s decision.
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer praised the legislature’s decision to pass the industrial hemp bill. Comer added that the crop could become an economic boon for Kentucky. He believes that hemp production could lead to more manufacturing jobs that produce products.
Industrial hemp can be used for a variety of things from paper to cosmetics. It can also be used as an alternative fuel source. But despite the potential economic success, the bill was not popular with law enforcement officials. They argued that hemp could be used to camouflage marijuana. The two plants have identical leaves, but hemp has an almost nonexistent level of THC.
To combat the possibility of drug growers taking advantage of the new law, the state would require GPS coordinates for all licensed hemp fields. Hemp growers would have to complete a criminal background check and they would be limited to 10 acres per license.
The industrial hemp bill in Kentucky would allow the state to grow the plant should the federal government ever reverse the ban.
Image via Jungbim ]
