industrial hemp

Ag Commissioner James Comer Heading to Washington to Talk Hemp

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:18:57 +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 lawmakerspassed 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 Become Law

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:22:38 +0000

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

Beshear Still Considering What to Do on Hemp Bill

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:57:00 +0000

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.

Beshear Reacts to Hemp, Religion Bills

Lisa Autry (KPR) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:23:20 +0000

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says he still has concerns about the only bill to get a veto over-ride in this year's legislative session and doesn’t know if he’ll allow hemp legislation to become law.

The so-called religious freedom bill gives stronger legal standing to people in court who claim the government infringed on their religious beliefs. Opponents fear someone's claim of religious freedom could undermine civil rights protections for gays and lesbians.

Kentucky Hemp Supporters Blast Amendment Calling for Further Study

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:19:52 +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.

House Committee Passes Hemp Bill, but Floor Vote Uncertain

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:41:51 +0000

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.

Last week, an ag committee meeting abruptly ended after a tense exchange among lawmakers on the hemp issue.

Several House lawmakers said they voted for the bill to help support the Ag industry and to possibly create more jobs in Kentucky.

Industrial Hemp Supporters Ratchet Up Pressure

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:20:07 +0000

Industrial hemp supporters are ratcheting up the pressure to force a vote on a stalled bill that would allow farmers in Kentucky to grow the crop if federal ban is lifted. A group led by state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer urged House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McKee Thursday to allow a vote on the bill. The group included a prominent northern Kentucky tobacco farmer who lives in McKee's district.

Kentucky Committee Chairmen Seeks to Scale Back Hemp Bill

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:35 +0000

A Kentucky House committee chairman says he’ll scale back an industrial hemp bill to allow the University of Kentucky to seek permission to study the crop that is currently banned by the federal government. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom McKee says his amendment would have UK test hemp if it received a federal permit.

McKee said he plans to offer the amendment when the Agriculture Committee takes up the hemp bill today in Frankfort.

Beshear Sides with Law Enforcement Against Hemp

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear says he wants law enforcement's concerns about industrial hemp resolved before Kentucky moves ahead with a push to grow the plant.

State police oppose state Republican leaders’ effort to license and regulate hemp if the federal government ever lifts a ban on it. Beshear says the Legislature needs to weigh law enforcement's concerns carefully, given Kentucky’s horrible drug problem.

Hemp Bill Faces Challenges in Kentucky House

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:48:00 +0000

An industrial hemp bill that sailed through the Kentucky Senate is facing a more skeptical House. The top House leader has doubts about the crop and a committee chairman has lots of questions. The bill's next stop is expected in the House Agriculture Committee. Its chairman, Tom McKee, hasn't made up his mind about the bill, which would regulate the crop if the federal government lifts its ban on hemp.