Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2014
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Page: A7

STATE SUES FEDS FOR RELEASE OF HEMP SEEDS

LOUISVILLE - Kentucky's Agriculture Department sued the federal
government Wednesday, seeking the release of imported hemp seeds that
have been held up by customs officials.

The 250-pound shipment from Italy has been held for more than a week
by customs officials in Louisville.

"No state should have to endure what Kentucky has gone through in this
process. We must take a stand against federal government overreach,"
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said.

Defendants in the lawsuit include the Justice Department, the Drug
Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and
Attorney General Eric Holder.

Hemp is the same species as the marijuana plant but has a negligible
amount of THC, the chemical that gets users high. The new federal farm
bill lets state agriculture departments designate hemp projects for
research.
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MAP posted-by: Matt