cannabisnews.com: Hemp Research in Ky. Draws Near Hemp Research in Ky. Draws Near Posted by FoM on March 08, 2001 at 10:43:19 PT By Mark R. Chellgren, The Associated Press Source: Cincinnati Enquirer Kentucky will try to undertake research into the agricultural and economic viability of industrial hemp, despite another round of legislative warnings that it will lead to legalized marijuana. The Senate on Wednesday voted, 26-11, to approve the research, which is not a foregone conclusion in any event. No research would begin until a university is selected, which then must obtain required permits from federal drug-enforcement authorities. Only Hawaii has obtained such federal permission. The House must still approve minor changes in the bill made by the Senate, but that is expected to be a formality. The House earlier voted, 66-32, to pass the bill. Sen. Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, said a study could eliminate the questions and dire warnings about what might happen if industrial-hemp research is undertaken. “This is only a study,” Mr. Pendleton said. “It doesn't say anything about legalizing growing hemp.” Hemp is not new to Kentucky. As recently as the World War II years, hemp was grown widely as fiber to make rope. Wild hemp plants can still be found along fence rows in some western parts of the state. But marijuana, which is the narcotic cousin of hemp, is also common in the state. Some estimates make it the most profitable crop in Kentucky, illegal though it may be. “Legalizing hemp is legalizing marijuana, it's a stepping stone to that,” said Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs. Democratic Gov. Paul Patton has dropped his reservations and is expected to sign the bill. There is no state funding for research, which prompted Mr. McGaha to wonder how it will be financed. State funding was one of the reasons cited by Illinois Gov. George Ryan, who vetoed a similar state initiative for industrial hemp last month. Mr. Ryan said there was not enough of a market for hemp products to justify a $1 million state appropriation. Further, Mr. Ryan said the Illinois study did not require research into a plant that produces none of the drug that gives marijuana its narcotic effect.Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) Author: Mark R. Chellgren, The Associated PressPublished: March 8, 2001Address: 2055 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45202 Copyright: 2001 The Cincinnati Enquirer Contact: letters enquirer.com Website: http://enquirer.com/today/ Feedback http://enquirer.com/editor/letters.html Related Article:Get The Facts Straight About Hemp http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8930.shtmlCannabisNews Hemp Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/hemp.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 08, 2001 at 19:07:21 PT Pictures of old medicinal bottles etc. Thought you all might want to see some of these.Andy Garrett's Cannabis Museum Pictures http://www.conquestdesign.com/uncler/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by SuperStoner on March 08, 2001 at 18:28:33 PT: Hold up here... Ok beer is legal but it has no medical values and has high potenital for addiction .. hell they even named a diease after it (which would be a negative medical value) ... and yet its legal to adult who useally endup drinking and drivein or domestic violence ... and its yet its legal ..my question is ... if ... big if here (blahahah) if marijuana has any potenital and positive medical effects (IMO it does for tons of things we just dont know excatly all of them) then how come its so damn wrong to do it that they lock you up and take all your shit.... i mean its a natural plant .. beer is man made .. and might i add beer is not the only example others include but not limited to asprin, cough med's, coffee, and yes i think even cigaretts should be illegal and insted people can smoke far less harmful marijuana and live in peace and happiness ever ... the end. Peace out yall speak the truth and free enslaved mindsSuperBeast [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by zenarch on March 08, 2001 at 13:13:56 PT This rhetoric serves the cause of reform. “Legalizing hemp is legalizing marijuana, it's a stepping stone to that,” said Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs. IMO it's something akin to other prohibition lies and how they play in peoples minds.e.g. marijuana is as dangerous as heroin ergo heroin is as safe as marijuana.Richard Cowan pointed this out on the 4:20 Marijuana News the other day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Kevin Hebert on March 08, 2001 at 12:24:46 PT: Marijuana is not a narcotic "But marijuana, which is the narcotic cousin of hemp, is also common in the state. Some estimates make it the most profitable crop in Kentucky, illegal though it may be. "Yeah. But marijuana is not a narcotic. Nytol is more of a narcotic than marijuana is. And it's perfectly legal. Why do people insist on using the term "narcotic" to describe marijuana? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on March 08, 2001 at 11:03:02 PT: We Need to Buy Better Legislators “Legalizing hemp is legalizing marijuana, it's a stepping stone to that,” said Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs. Vernie should have learned in childhood not to speak from ignorance. A statement this false, and uttered without any attempt at education on the subject, should render this person inelegible for governance. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: