Pubdate: Thu, 06 Feb 2014
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
Copyright: 2014 Lexington Herald-Leader
Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/369/
Website: http://www.kentucky.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240
Author: Rand Paul
Note: Rand Paul represents Kentucky in the U.S. Senate.

KY.'S PERSEVERANCE WON THE FIGHT TO REINTRODUCE USE OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Frustration with Washington is pervasive.

There is dissatisfaction because of revelations of what our 
government has been up to behind our backs. Just think of the 
Internal Revenue Service and the National Security Agency.

There is also dismay that the federal government is locked in to the 
same old way of doing things - that, even when confronted with a 
sensible and reasonable alternative, some things just can't be changed.

I've tried to challenge that idea and stand up when things aren't 
right, even if I knew the odds of success might be long.

That's why I joined in the fight to reintroduce industrial hemp in 
Kentucky. I believed Washington was standing in the way of Kentucky's 
ability to create jobs and opportunities in an industry that we had 
led before, and have great potential to lead in the future.

Well, as frustrating as other parts of the political debate can be, 
we have broken through on the issue of industrial hemp.

That's a thrill to me and many of the proponents of industrial hemp 
who have been involved for years in this fight. Their hard work and 
perseverance got the ball rolling.

Great leadership at the state level, from Kentucky Agriculture 
Commissioner James Comer and others, allowed Kentucky to pass 
legislation that set up a regulatory framework for growing hemp. 
Bipartisan support from our congressional delegation presented a united front.

And Sen. Mitch McConnell has helped to deliver the latest victory - a 
provision in the farm bill that allows for industrial hemp pilot 
programs. Because of the provision, Comer plans to license hemp 
farmers in a pilot program this year.

Prior to World War II, Kentucky provided 94 percent of the nation's 
industrial hemp. Unfortunately, after the war, the federal government 
decided to group industrial hemp as a controlled substance with 
marijuana - despite the fact that industrial hemp has virtually none 
of the toxicity found in marijuana.

Today, the United States is the only industrialized nation that 
restricts the production of industrial hemp. Despite the ban, 
millions of dollars in hemp products are sold in this country each 
year. One estimate says the national market for hemp products is more 
than $400 million. This means U.S. manufacturers must import millions 
of dollars in industrial hemp from foreign countries.

And it means that here in Kentucky - where we have an ideal climate 
for growing industrial hemp and a long history as a successful 
producer - our agricultural industry hasn't been able to take 
advantage of the jobs and opportunities that could be realized by the 
growth of hemp.

Industrial hemp is a versatile fiber and seed oil crop that can be 
used to manufacture automotive parts, textiles, cosmetics and 
countless other products.

With Kentucky's robust auto industry - we're home to Ford, Toyota and 
GM plants and more than 440 motor vehicle-related manufacturing and 
supplier facilities - think of the opportunity we have in this sector alone.

And I am particularly interested in industrial hemp's potential in 
Eastern Kentucky, where it could be grown on land reclaimed from mining.

In the process of debating this issue, we've cut through the clutter 
and dispelled a lot of myths about industrial hemp. Winning those 
arguments was worth the fight, even if it seemed pretty futile at the 
start. That's a good lesson to share and remember.

Together, we've challenged the status quo. I hope you will keep 
fighting with me and very soon we can realize the goal of producing 
industrial hemp, creating jobs and leading the nation in this industry again.

Rand Paul represents Kentucky in the U.S. Senate. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D