Kentucky Hemp Bill Comes Back to Life
Just yesterday we reported on the fact that Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo had effectively killed Kentucky’s hemp legalization bill by refusing to put it to a House vote, despite the Senate votin
g the measure through with a strong majority, 31-6. Stumbo attempted to hide behind the excuse that there’s “not enough time”, something that Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who pushed the bill, called “hypocritical” in an interview with Kentucky.com, noting that, essentially, he was wrong. Apparently, he was.
According to the Associated Press, House Floor Leader Rocky Adkins has proposed amendments to the measure, that Stumbo now says he sees as a “path forward”. Though the measure’s fate is still uncertain, this is certainly promising, and a quick reversal from a day full of national news regarding the bill’s death.
Adkins’ amendments would involve the University of Kentucky in hemp research, and would also add the Kentucky State Police commissioner and the University of Kentucky agriculture dean as co-chairs along with the state agriculture commissioner, to the Kentucky Hemp Commission.
It’s absolutely vital for residents of Kentucky to contact Stumbo, letting him know that he should respect the will of the voters and allow the measure to have a floor vote. Constituents should hurry in contacting him, as the final day of the session is March 27th, which is the last chance for this bill to pass through the House this year.
Greg Stumbo’s contact information:
Frankfort Office: Room 303 Capitol Annex, Kentucky 40601
Phone: (502) 564-2363
Prestonsburg Office: 108 Kassidy Drive Prestonsburg, Kentucky 41653
Phone: (606) 886-9953
Recent polling shows that 65% in the state support legalizing hemp. The measure has the support of both of the state’s U.S. Senators, Rand Paul, and Mitch McConnel.
– TheJointBlog