FRANKFORT—The Kentucky House voted yesterday to ask Congress to remove hemp from the
definition of marijuana in the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The request would be made under House Concurrent Resolution 35, sponsored by Rep. DJ
Johnson, R-Owensboro, who told the House that hemp, like marijuana, is a variety of
the cannabis plant but is non-narcotic and legally produced on many Kentucky farms
for industrial use.
Kentucky removed many hemp products from its definition of illegal substances in
2017, Johnson said. Removing hemp from the federal Controlled Substance Act “will
allow Kentucky farmers and processors to take full advantage of this promising
agricultural crop,” he added.
“Safe, non-narcotic hemp is an economically viable agricultural commodity,” said
Johnson. “The benefits of a successful hemp program will touch literally every part
of the economy in Kentucky.”
Kentucky hemp production increased from 33 acres in 2014 to 3,200 acres in 2017,
according to HCR 35, with nearly 50 hemp processors now operating in the state.
Johnson said production is expected to reach 4,000 to 6,000 acres with 56 processors
this year.
As a concurrent resolution, HCR 35 would not become state law if passed by both the
House and Senate. It would instead be forwarded to both Congress and the White
House.
HCR 35 passed the House by a vote of 93-2 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.