Monday, April 25, 2011

Kentucky Ag Commissioner Candidates to Debate Industrial Hemp


From Roger Alford, April 25, 2011 - 4:56 PM
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Kentucky agriculture commissioner candidates to debate, industrial hemp expected to be discussed

By Roger Alford
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Two Republican candidates for agriculture commissioner have come out in favor of allowing Kentucky farmers to grow industrial hemp as an alternative crop.

James Comer, a state lawmaker from Tompkinsville, and Rob Rothenburger, a judge-executive from Shelbyville, haven't shied away from the issue as they prepare for their first statewide televised debate on Monday. Theirs is a stand that most Kentucky candidates consider politically radioactive because of fears that voters might somehow leap to the false conclusion that they're also pro-marijuana.

Industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana, is used to make textiles, paper, lotion, cosmetics and other products. Though it contains trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol that makes marijuana intoxicating, it remains illegal in the U.S. "One of the things I want to do as agriculture commissioner is explore alternative crops," Comer said Monday. "I think that that's a viable option if the federal government would provide Kentucky with a waiver and let a few farmers do a trial run on it."

Rothenburger said he is aware of the concerns of law enforcement that wayward hemp producers could try to mingle illegal marijuana among legal hemp crops. "It may make their jobs a little tougher, should industrial hemp be allowed again," Rothenburger said.

Kentucky has an ideal climate for hemp production and, during World War II, was a leading grower of the plant that produces strong fibers that was using in fabrics, ropes and other materials for the military. Besides the Republicans, a crowded field of Democratic agriculture commissioner candidates also will debate on Kentucky Education Television at 8 p.m. EDT. They include Louisville real estate and marketing agent Bob Farmer, Lawrenceburg farmer Stewart Gritton, Richmond lawyer and former state Sen. John Farris Lackey, retired Glasgow businessman David Williams and Frankfort farmer and businessman B.D. Wilson.

Bill Goodman, moderator of Kentucky's public television debates, said he also intends to ask the Democratic candidates their positions on industrial hemp.

The eventual Democratic and Republican nominees will square off in the fall general election to replace current Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, who had served the maximum two terms in the office.
Farmer has signed on as running mate to Republican gubernatorial candidate David Williams.

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