NOT A SMOKE SCREEN

Woody Harrelson's visit to the Louisville Forum last week started the
conversation about hemp anew. What a shame that it takes a comedic actor to
keep a serious topic on the public agenda. That's life in the star-studded
`90's.

Mr. Harrelson made his audience laugh, but he also scored a few important
points. One was, "It's silly to let farmers and the environment and the
economy lose out because of paranoia about drugs." In the case of hemp, the
fear does border on paranoia. Hemp and marijuana are cousins, but they
certainly aren't the same. It's possible to care deeply about the dangers
of drugs and still believe that hemp could be a valuable crop.

Hemp used to be important to Kentucky. The climate here -- and in Tennessee
and Missouri -- is just about perfect for it. Our rolling topography suits
it. Given all the uncertainties about tobacco, we need a serious look at
returning to hemp cultivation.

It may not be as lucrative as its most enthusiastic supporters hope. But it
takes years to develop new markets, and this is an industry that has been
dormant for about 70 years. A Canadian hemp farmer who also spoke at the
Louisville Forum said he found it "exciting that America wasn't into hemp
yet. It will give my country a strong start in the industry." Hemp now is
being used for paper, clothing, carpeting, as well as for food products.

What Kentucky needs isn't more celebrity gawking, but folks brave enough to
stand up and make the case for hemp. The question isn't "Should we legalize
marijuana?" It's "Should we legalize hemp?" As time passes, the evidence
continues to lead to the answer "Yes."

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski