Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway is advising state leaders that industrial hemp farming remains illegal in Kentucky. Conway issued an advisory letter yesterday to Gov. Steve Beshear, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and others to clarify current law related to hemp.
The letter deflates hopes of hemp farming proponents who have said they'd like to begin planting next year. U.S. Senator Rand Paul responded to the letter saying Kentucky law provides for the production of industrial hemp. He went on to say that the Obama Administration has weighed in on laws in other states and expects Kentucky to be treated equally in the process.
Kentucky lawmakers have passed legislation that would allow farmers to grow the crop if the federal government ever lifts a longstanding ban. Conway said that ban remains firmly in place.