PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Representative Massie Commends Passage of Kentucky Hemp Legislation
Washington, DC,
March 28, 2013
On Tuesday, March 26th, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Kentucky Senate Bill 50, which would allow Kentucky farmers to grow industrial hemp if federal restrictions were lifted.
U.S. Representative Massie Commends Passage of Kentucky Hemp Legislation “This legislation is the first step in empowering Kentucky to lead the nation in this industry” On Tuesday, March 26th, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Kentucky Senate Bill 50, which would allow Kentucky farmers to grow industrial hemp if federal restrictions were lifted. Nationally, Representative Massie took the lead in the House of Representatives by introducing legislation that would require the federal government to respect state laws allowing farmers to grow industrial hemp. “Industrial hemp would strengthen Kentucky’s economy by giving farmers and manufacturers another opportunity to succeed,” said Rep. Massie. “This legislation is the first step in empowering Kentucky to lead the nation in this industry." At the federal level, Representative Massie is working diligently on clearing the final legislative hurdle for industrial hemp production in Kentucky. Since introducing the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 on February 6, Massie has gained 8 more cosponsors, bringing the total number of cosponsors in the US House of Representatives to 36. Senator Paul and Senator McConnell have introduced companion legislation in the US Senate. “I congratulate Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Paul Hornback, and the members of the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission for leading the charge on this issue,” Rep. Massie concluded. |