Finally, someone pulled their head out of their ass and crafted one of the nation’s first laws re-legalizing industrial hemp farming.
Legislators reached a last-hour deal Tuesday to pass a bill to license Kentucky farmers to grow hemp.
The deal between House Democrats and Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville, will allow hemp licensing by the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission under the control of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Who would do the licensing had been a big snag for House Democrats, who apparently buckled under public pressure.
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said the bill will leave the hemp commission with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The research functions will be performed by the University of Kentucky.
The House voted 88-4 and sent the bill back to the Senate where it passed 35-1.
The last-minute deal came after a day of negotiations between Hornback and Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, as well as other House Democratic leaders.
Sadly, they’ll still need approval from the feds, which means the bill passing means squat. But maybe enough of the other states will get an idea and pass their own until the DEA recognizes how stupid their rule is.