Courier Journal – by Gregory A. Hall
FRANKFORT, KY. — An amended bill to regulate industrial hemp production by Kentucky farmers — if the federal government allows it — was passed by the Kentuckly legislature in the final minutes of the regular session.
In the compromise, the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission remains in the state Department of Agriculture with only research functions of the bill assigned to the University of Kentucky. The last sticking point had been an effort by House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, to put the commission under UK.
That had been a dealbreaker for the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville, and its chief advocate, state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.
Comer had already left the Capitol believing the bill was dead, but returned late Tuesday when Adkins wanted to continue talks.
“We’re very satisfied with the bill,” Comer said, adding that the next step would be working with Kentucky’s federal legislators to get a waiver for a pilot project to grow industrial hemp in Kentucky. He said public pressure to pass the bill helped achieve the last-minute deal.
The bill passed the House as amended 88-4, with Comer, a former House member, watching on the chamber floor. The Senate approved the compromise 35-1.
The bill now goes to Gov. Steve Beshear, who has said he shares the concerns of the Kentucky State Police who opposed the bill. Beshear hasn’t said whether he would veto a hemp bill if it got to him.
Hornback and Comer, who made the bill his department’s top legislative priority, say hemp can be a boost for farmers and bring processing jobs if Kentucky is among the first states to grow hemp. The federal government would have to legalize the crop or grant Kentucky a waiver.
But the state police and some House Democratic leaders, including Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, questioned whether hemp would be economically viable and whether it would hurt marijuana enforcement since the plants look the same.
Comer said he agreed in the compromise to be removed as chairman of the hemp commission. He will now be vice chairman and the chairman will be selected by members.
Good old American made hemp rope!
Now, you guys know that when ever you guys mention good old “American Made Hemp Rope”, That I get a tingle that runs down my leg! haha
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Looks like our rope problem may be solved.
There are over 29,000 known industrial products that can be made from Hemp. Just a few are motor oil, fuel for our cars, plastic, textiles, paper, and Hemp Protein Powder of which I take everyday. Screw the Elite, let’s save our economy and quit fighting wars for oil. Just about everything is made from oil, and everything that is made from oil, can be made from Hemp. This ain’t rocket science here, folks. This is pure propaganda that our grandparent and parents fell for back in the 30’s