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Hemp Prospects Dim in Kentucky House

A measure legalizing industrial hemp in Kentucky sailed through the state Senate last week, but a more skeptical audience awaits the bill in the House. 

Industrial hemp once thrived in Kentucky, but the crop has been banned for decades since the federal government classified it as a controlled substance related to marijuana.  Hemp supporters say it re-emergence can help farmers and create jobs turning its seeds and fibers into products. 

House Speaker Greg Stumbo, however, says supporters still have not made a convincing case.

"I can’t speak for all of them but this Eastern Kentucky caucus member will be against hemp unless there’s a viable market and unless we can insure our law enforcement community that it’s not going to impede their efforts on drug," emphasized Stumbo. 

The bill is expected to get a hearing next week in the House Agriculture Committee.  Its chairman, Representative Tom McKee, says he hasn't made up his mind about whether to get behind the hemp movement.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.