EDITORIAL PAGE
LETTERS

Industrial hemp suffers because of misinformation

The fact that the Interim Joint Committee on Agricultural and Natural
Resources met on July 9 to consider industrial hemp was a major breakthrough
in the right direction for Kentucky agriculture.

When our legislators review the testimony from these hearings, they will
find that hemp could again be a major crop for Kentucky farmers. They will
find that hemp has the potential to create rural economic development through
agriculturally based industries, creating new jobs and establishing new
sources of revenue for city, county and state governments.

Once a person studies the history of hemp in Kentucky, it is much easier to
understand why we should grow this crop again. Our legislators cry out for
rural economic development, diversification for farmers, valueadded
processing and sustainable agriculture based on the development of our
cultural and historical resources. Then why not look at industrial hemp?

With research and development of the hemp plant, Kentucky farmers could be
seed producers for the world. We once were; we can be again. Factories could
be employing people making plastics, fuel, paper, shoes, cosmetics, etc. from
hemp grown by our Kentucky farmers.

We must not let naysayers judge this book by looking only at its cover, for
the history of hemp is deeply rotted in Kentucky history. We must take an
openminded and objective look at the real issues surrounding this crop to
understand its economic potential for Kentucky, its farmers and our nation.
Honest research is needed to dispel the misinformation that abounds
concerning industrial hemp.

Many of our forefathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and
Henry Clay, men who were presidents and leaders of state and nation, were
hemp farmers. I hope our legislators will have a similar vision for the
future.

Craig Lee
Lebanon, Kentucky