Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Independent (Ashland, KY)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily Independent, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.dailyindependent.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1573
Author: Ronnie Ellis, CNHI News Service
Page: A1

LAW ENFORCEMENT OPPOSES INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Legalization Gains Momentum in State; Proponents Call It Cash Crop

FRANKFORT - Proponents of legalizing industrial hemp in Kentucky say 
momentum for their cause is growing. But, some key law enforcement 
agencies still aren't enamored of the idea.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer convened the 
resurrected Kentucky Hemp Commission for a meeting Monday by saying: 
"We are very aggressively seeking the input from law enforcement."

But just before the meeting began, a law enforcement official on the 
commission issued a press release opposing legalizing the plant, 
which is biologically similar to marijuana, although it contains only 
trace amounts of the chemical THC, which produces the marijuana high.

Dan Smoot, of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and 
president of Operation UNITE, a drug education, treatment and 
enforcement organization working in eastern Kentucky, said supporters 
are looking "through rose-colored glasses if they believe hemp 
production would be a good alternative crop or provide an economic boon."

He said there isn't a great demand for the crop and legalizing its 
production "would create more problems than benefits and is currently 
not permitted under federal law."

On top of that, Smoot and Kentucky State Police Maj. Anthony Terry, 
both members of the commission who were not at Monday's meeting, 
claimed they weren't notified of the session.

But Holly VonLuehrte, general counsel for the Agriculture Department, 
said both men "absolutely were informed of the meeting."

VonLuehrte provided a copy of a letter dated Jan. 22 and addressed to 
Smoot at his London address announcing the special meeting and notes 
from special assistant Mary Tinnon indicating she had called Smoot.

But Smoot and Terry both said they never received a letter, email or 
any other notification. Terry said he was out of the office last 
Friday but, as of 3 p.m. Monday, had not seen the letter.

Kentucky was once a national leader in hemp production and supporters 
say it could be a significant cash crop again for its farmers. 
However, it is presently against federal law to grow hemp because of 
the difficulty of distinguishing it from marijuana. (It is legal to 
import hemp products but not to grow the plant.)

Supporters say allowing production will create jobs in paper 
manufacturing, manufacture of interior materials for the auto 
industry, biofuels, clothing and other products, even plywood. Comer 
said it's a "sustainable, greener crop" as well.

Kentucky Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Democratic U.S. Rep. John 
Yarmuth support the idea and have said they'll lobby the Obama 
administration to offer Kentucky a waiver to grow the crop if the 
legislature passes a bill setting up regulations.

Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville, a member of the commission, has 
filed a bill which would authorize the Department of Agriculture to 
license and inspect production, including Global Positioning System 
mapping of licensed growing operations, notification of the state 
police of licensed growing areas and background checks for growers.

Hornback said Kentucky should have hemp regulations in place in case 
the federal government relaxes restrictions so it won't lose ground 
to other states interested in growing the crop.

"It's one of those things if you're not first, you'll be last," Hornback said.

But some law enforcement agencies are skeptical, notably the Kentucky 
State Police.

"It is impossible to distinguish between hemp and marijuana with the 
naked eye," KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer said.

He said he feared marijuana could be grown among hemp plants and law 
enforcement couldn't detect the illegal plants. He and Smoot are also 
concerned about costs.

Brewer said the only way to distinguish between the plants is 
expensive chemical testing in the lab. He and Smoot said those 
arrested for marijuana possession will maintain the substance is 
hemp, requiring time-consuming and expensive testing.

Jim Higdon, a member of the commission, said those are false 
concerns, that hemp will easily cross-pollinate with marijuana plants 
and ultimately eliminate marijuana. He said the KSP is more concerned 
with retaining federal grant money for the eradication of marijuana 
so it can continue to employ personnel.

Brewer said it's misleading to say hemp contains no THC and can't be 
used to achieve a high, although it requires more of the plant than 
marijuana. He said cross-pollination produces a milder form of 
marijuana but also a more potent form of hemp.

Smoot and Brewer both said they are also skeptical of supporters' 
claims the crop would be an economic boon for farmers.

Comer agreed that at least "in the beginning there's only going to be 
a limited demand for hemp" but says Kentucky can dominate that market 
if it gets production underway before other states. And he says there 
are companies ready to come to Kentucky if hemp production is legalized.

Gov. Steve Beshear has said he doesn't object to finding a new crop 
or market for Kentucky farmers but he wants first to be fully 
satisfied law enforcement has no problems.

Comer, a former state legislator, said there is "overwhelming public 
support," and he believes there are sufficient votes in the state 
House and Senate to approve Hornback's bill.

He said the legislation is supported by the Kentucky Chamber of 
Commerce and Kentucky Association of Counties.

However, Shellie Hampton, director of governmental relations for 
KACo, said that endorsement is qualified on the support of law enforcement.

The commission Monday discussed ways to promote the cause, including 
spending $2,000 for radio ads (the money comes from private 
donations) and a "hemp fashion show."

It is also planning a rally along with a hearing on Hornback's bill 
at a February meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which is 
chaired by Hornback. Comer said Monday he expects Paul and others to 
attend the meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom