Industrial Hemp

Comer Hopeful That Federal Farm Bill Will Include Hemp Provision

Kevin Willis | Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:49:59 +0000

Kentucky's agriculture commissioner says a recent legislative setback shouldn't cause hemp supporters to give up hopes of getting the crop legalized. James Comer says he's not surprised that language legalizing industrial hemp wasn’t added to the first drafts of farm bills in the U.S. House and Senate.

Last week, a group of Kentucky U.S. Senators and House members tried--and failed--to get the provision included in the legislation.

McConnell Looking at 'All the Options' to Legalize Hemp Production in Kentucky

Chuck Mraz | Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:05:17 +0000

Kentucky’s senior U.S. Senator says he plans to do his part to help the commonwealth’s farmers eventually grow industrial hemp.

Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says he and fellow Senator Rand Paul met with state Agriculture Commissioner Jamie Comer last week as Comer toured Washington to drum-up for support for legalizing the crop.

McConnell declined to gauge the possible success of comer’s lobbying efforts…

Ag Commissioner James Comer Says Hemp-Promoting Trip to Washington Was A Success

Kenny Colston — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:59:00 +0000

A trio of Kentuckians who favor the legalization of hemp says a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers and executive branch officials was beneficial.

Ag Commissioner James Comer Heading to Washington to Talk Hemp

Kenny Colston — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:17:46 +0000

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is finalizing details for an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., to try and get a federal waiver for industrial hemp.

Earlier this year, Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill setting up a regulatory framework for hemp growing in Kentucky. Comer promises to work at the federal level for legalization or a waiver.

Hemp, Medi-Share Bills to Become Kentucky Law

Kenny Colston — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:59:11 +0000

Governor Steve Beshear is allowing a bill regulating hemp in Kentucky to become law without his signature.

Supporters of Senate Bill 50 were concerned that the governor might veto the bill after continuing expressing concerns law enforcement had with the bill that it would allow increased marijuana growing.

But those concerns apparently weren't enough to veto the bill, as the governor says he will let it become law.

Amended Hemp Bill Passes Kentucky Legislature; Comer OK With Result

Kenny Colston and Rae Hodge — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:26:28 +0000

Kentucky lawmakers have achieved a compromise that would set up a regulatory framework should the federal government legalize industrial hemp.

The so-called hemp bill—Senate Bill 50—gives control of licensing of future hemp farmers to the Industrial Hemp Commission, but allow the Kentucky State Police to do background checks on the farmers.

The state Department of Agriculture would be given many administrative roles for licensing hemp farmers and the University of Kentucky would be charged with researching the issue.

Kentucky Hemp Supporters Blast Amendment Calling for Further Study

Kenny Colston — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:14:49 +0000

Kentucky's industrial hemp supporters lashed out Thursday against a last-minute amendment to the hemp bill that's been under consideration this year in the General Assembly.

State Rep. Rocky Adkins, a Sandy Hook Democrat and the majority floor leader, has proposed an amendment turning the Senate-approve hemp bill into a five year study. It also gives the licensing responsibilities to Kentucky State Police, which argues that legalized hemp would harm law enforcement efforts to target hemp's cousin, marijuana.

House Committee Passes Kentucky Hemp Bill, but Floor Vote Uncertain

Kenny Colston — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:44:58 +0000

Updated: FRANKFORT — In its second try, the Kentucky House agriculture committee approved a bill Wednesday creating a regulatory framework for growing hemp in Kentucky, if the federal government were to legalize it.

The hemp bill—championed by Agriculture Commissioner James Comer—got only one no vote in the House agriculture committee.

Comer Says Hemp Bill Will Get Vote Wednesday

Kentucky Public Radio's Kevin Willis — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:21:39 +0000

It looks like an industrial hemp bill will get a vote in the House Agriculture Committee after all.

Kentucky House Ag Committee Chair Blocks Vote on Hemp Bill

Kenny Colston — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:37:20 +0000

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky House Agriculture Committee chairman blocked a vote on the hemp bill on Wednesday morning after a tense exchange with a Republican supporter of the legislation.

The hemp bill would create a regulatory framework in Kentucky, should the federal government legalize it.