Kentucky Hemp Legislation Filed

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...U.S. Representative Ron Paul, R-Texas, has filed legislation to lift current federal restrictions that keep farmers from sowing seeds to grow hemp. With the support of Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Kentucky legislators filed a bill Thursday to put Comer at the head of the long-dormant Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission and renew a push to bring the crop back. Senator Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, who has long pushed for legalizing industrial hemp, joined Representatives Richard Henderson, D- Jeffersonville, Keith Hall, D-Phelps, and Ryan Quarles, R-Georgetown, in announcing the new legislation. Comer said that if House Bill 286 passes the General Assembly, he will petition federal authorities for a permit for Kentucky to grow hemp. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture would regulate state hemp permits, at least in the beginning.