COMMITTEE CONSIDERS COMPROMISE ON HEMP LEGALIZATION

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A proposal before a conference committee would allow the
governor to apply for federal permits to authorize the growing of
experimental and demonstration plots of industrial hemp.

A proposal to legalize hemp as a crop passed the Senate earlier this session
but was stopped in a House committee. The amendment, part of a House
governmental finance bill, would also allow individuals to apply to grow the
hemp in demonstration plots.

Gov. Jesse Ventura has supported the legalization of industrial hemp, a
cousin of marijuana with a low amount of the psychoactive ingredient THC.

Hemp has become a trendy product of choice used in items ranging from
designer clothing to expensive German automobiles. Hemp was legalized in
Canada last year and was once used in the United States to make rope and
other products.

Opponents of legalizing hemp say it is indistinguishable from marijuana and
could lead to law enforcement problems.