Pubdate: Tue, 02 Apr 2013
Source: Richmond Register (KY)
Copyright: 2013 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmondregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4305
Note: from the Associated Press

GOVERNOR STILL CONSIDERING INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL

FRANKFORT( AP) - Gov. Steve Beshear has until Saturday to sign or veto
a bill that would open the door to industrial hemp farming in
Kentucky. So far, he hasn't said what he'll do.

The General Assembly passed the bill last Tuesday in the final minutes
of this year's legislative session, giving the governor 10 days
excluding Sundays to veto it, according to the Legislative Research
Commission.

The bill would allow Kentucky farmers to grow hemp if the federal
government lifts its decades long ban on the plant. Hemp can be used
to make products ranging from paper to cosmetics.

It thrived as a crop in Kentucky for generations before it was
classified as a controlled substance related to marijuana. Although
hemp is similar to marijuana, it has a negligible amount of THC, the
psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high.

Some law enforcement officials have expressed concerns about the bill,
saying marijuana growers could use hemp to camouflage the illegal
drug. But proponents say marijuana growers would avoid planting it
near hemp because the drug could lose its potency.

"The Governor has not given any indication about his decision,"
spokeswoman Kerri Richardson told The Associated Press in an email
Monday. "He has said he'll consult with law enforcement before taking
any action."

Meanwhile, Kentucky's U. S. senators, Republicans Mitch McConnell and
Rand Paul, have said the General Assembly' passage of the bill will
help them pressure the federal government to relax hemp restrictions.
A bill to legalize industrial hemp is pending in Congress. Paul told
reporters last week that he will ask the federal Drug Enforcement
Agency to give Kentucky and other states a waiver to cultivate hemp.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer called Beshear last week
to urge the governor to sign the bill, according to Holly VonLuehrte,
Comer's chief of staff. VonLuehrte said Comer talked to Beshear about
the potential economic growth hemp farming could bring to Kentucky.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D