FRANKFORT | Now awaiting the next move, approval from Gov. Steve Beshear, the much debated Kentucky industrial hemp bill, was passed late Tuesday night in the House of Representatives, officials said.
Senate Bill 50 had a rough ride to a vote by the house, passing the Senate quickly but rolling around in the House Agriculture and Small Business committee a few days before being sent on to the House. There it stalled when House Speaker Greg Stumbo declared it should have originated in the House and he wouldn’t move it to a vote.
Following the recent break in the General Assembly session, the bill was finally presented to the House, which passed it 88-4.
“The House sent it back for a vote about 11:30 p.m., or so. It was at the last minute,” said State Sen. Robin Webb. “It has been quite a drama.”
As supporters thundered their approval, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed SB 50.
State Sen. Paul Hornback’s legislation creates administrative framework for industrial hemp production in Kentucky, should the federal government lift its ban on growing hemp.
Webb, Hornback and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer looked on as the House passed the bill. The Senate concurred in a House floor amendment, by a vote of 35-1, sending the bill to the governor’s desk for final approval.
“The next step, after the governor hopefully signs it, is to regroup and go to Washington (D.C.),” Webb said. “We need to make a formal request for waivers.”
Kentucky joins several other states poised to allow industrial hemp production.
“This historic legislation puts Kentucky in position to be first in line if and when the federal government legalizes production of industrial hemp,” Comer said. “By passing this bill, the General Assembly has signaled that Kentucky is serious about restoring industrial hemp production to the Commonwealth and doing it in the right way. That will give Kentucky’s congressional delegation more leverage when they seek a federal waiver allowing Kentucky farmers to grow hemp.”
The House floor amendment, ironed out by Hornback and House Democratic leadership on Tuesday, keeps the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission administratively attached to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and calls for hemp demonstration projects by the University of Kentucky and other public universities that choose to participate. The legislation limits involvement of the Kentucky State Police to conducting background checks on applicants for licenses to grow industrial hemp.
Comer, the hemp commission’s current chairman, will step down to vice chair, and the commission will elect a new chairman.
“Sometimes, the legislative process isn’t pretty, but we got it done,” Hornback said. “I’m glad I could play a role in getting legislation passed that has the potential to help Kentucky’s farmers and bring thousands of jobs to the state.”
In 2001 Kentucky General Assembly approved House Bill 100 which opened the door for industrial hemp production in Kentucky.
The passage of SB50 is the next step in the future of Kentucky industrial hemp farming and production, officials said.
“I’m confident Washington will loosen restrictions on hemp production sooner rather than later, and when it does, Kentucky will be ready,” said Jonathan Miller, a Democrat, a former state treasurer, and a member of the hemp commission.
Industrial hemp was once grown in Kentucky, but a federal ban after World War II stopped producers and other industries related to use of hemp, which were competing with timber and synthetic materials producers.
“I applaud Commissioner James Comer for his leadership on the issue and the Kentucky General Assembly for passing the legislation which has the potential to provide an economic boost to Kentucky, create jobs and allow Kentucky farmers to harness the economic potential that industrial hemp can provide. “ said U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
Nationally, hemp production fell until the 1930’s when cultivation of hemp began to increase, but with very low volume compared with other types of fibers.
According to historical references, there was, and continues to be, a misconception about the intoxicating effects of hemp due to its relationship to marijuana. Hemp normally has a minimal amount of THC when compared to recreational cannabis strains but, in the 1930s, THC was not yet fully identified and was used to help get hemp listed with controlled substances and ultimately banned, officials said.
Today industrial hemp is grown as close as Canada, and products from car parts to clothing and lotions are made from everything from the fiber to oils and sterile seeds, and imported to the U.S.
