Published time: March 28, 2013 21:17
The Kentucky legislature has agreed to allow industrial hemp to be produced within the state’s limits, a minor victory for many that will require the governor’s signature before the next step can occur.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) now has until April 6 to either veto the legislation or sign it into law, but even then the state won’t be allowed to simply start growing the plant to be used for anything from food to fuel: federal legislation outlaws production from coast to coast.
Even with Uncle Sam standing in the way, the state lawmakers that approved the measure say they are optimistic about having Washington overturn the federal ban. The group Vote Hemp says that the states of Colorado, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia have all previously approved legislation that legalizes hemp production, but the federal mandate has made actually growing the crop impossible everywhere within the US since it is still considered a Schedule I drug. With Kentucky signing on to be the latest state looking to grow, though, things could soon change on a federal level.
“This historic legislation puts Kentucky in position to be first in line if and when the federal government legalizes production of industrial hemp,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said in a statement this week. “By passing this bill, the General Assembly has signaled that Kentucky is serious about restoring industrial hemp production to the Commonwealth and doing it in the right way. That will give Kentucky’s congressional delegation more leverage when they seek a federal waiver allowing Kentucky farmers to grow hemp.”
“As soon as the governor signs the bill, I’ll be on the plane to Washington” to seek a waiver, added Comer.
Read more: http://rt.com/
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