VENTURA SIGNS BILL SEEKING OK ON HEMP PROJECT

ST. PAUL, Minn.--Gov. Jesse Ventura signed an omnibus spending bill
Thursday that includes a mandate seeking federal permission to cultivate
hemp, the industrial and non-narcotic version of the illegal marijuana plant.

The mandate, included as an amendment to the House Omnibus State Government
Finance Bill, requires state officials to submit an application by Sept. 30
for federal permits to begin research on growing industrial hemp and
establishes a state registry for farmers seeking to grow the crop.

"Our farmers need to be able to diversify, and adding hemp into their crop
rotation is just one option," state Rep. Phyllis Kahn said in a statement.

Ventura, a member of the Reform Party and former professional wrestler, has
previously expressed his support for industrial hemp, which can be used in
construction, cosmetics, paper and pulp and other industries.