Hemp arises as issue in Ky. ag commissioner race

[MelissaB]

Hemp arises as issue in Ky. ag commissioner race

By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky.

Two Republican candidates for agriculture commissioner have come out in favor of allowing Kentucky farmers to grow industrial hemp as an alternative crop.

James Comer, a state lawmaker from Tompkinsville, and Rob Rothenburger, a judge-executive from Shelbyville, haven't shied away from the issue as they prepare for their first statewide televised debate on Monday.

Theirs is a stand that most Kentucky candidates consider politically radioactive because of fears that voters might somehow leap to the false conclusion that they're also pro-marijuana.

Industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana, is used to make textiles, paper, lotion, cosmetics and other products. Though it contains trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol that makes marijuana intoxicating, it remains illegal in the U.S.

"One of the things I want to do as agriculture commissioner is explore alternative crops," Comer said Monday. "I think that that's a viable option if the federal government would provide Kentucky with a waiver and let a few farmers do a trial run on it."

More here: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MQTVR80.htm

[PVnRT]

1. They used to grow a lot of it here

Unfortunately, the slugs in Washington are too stupid to realize that getting high off of hemp takes a joint the size of a telephone pole.

[justabob]

2. good news

That hemp is verboten is ridiculous. It can be used for so much good, and useful stuff, and is easily renewable. I am glad that it is being raised as an issue.

[TheKentuckian]

3. Sanity rears it's head.

[prairierose]

4. I do not think this will work....what would the DEA do with all of those...

agents? Several mid-western states have been trying to legalize hemp for years now. And the feds say no every time. In fact, near here,for several years a small farmer on the rez planted a crop of hemp and every year the FBI showed up to destroy the crop. ND has legalized it in their state legislature but I do not think there is anyone growing hemp because of the feds.

It would be a very good thing for farmers and small businesses that could process hemp. But the govt can not give up the big lie that hemp is MJ and vice-versa. DuPont corp and the other original conspirators would lose their minds and start foaming at the mouth if we allowed the competition of hemp back into the country.

Oh, and while we're at it...legalize MJ.

[Modern_Matthew]

5. Well...there goes my straight Democratic ticket this November. nt

[patrice]

6. Republicans are courting Libertarians. Stupid Democrats need to get some courage and get in support

of this issue.

[Angry Dragon]

7. The Founding Fathers used to grow hemp