By Rose Krzton-Presson
Murray, KY – Senator Joey Pendleton of Hopkinsville is again sponsoring a bill to promote industrial hemp in the Commonwealth. Pendleton says bringing industrial hemp to Kentucky will add between 400 and 500 million dollars to the state budget. In addition to providing another crop to the agricultural industry, industrial hemp will provide a number of manufacturing opportunities.
"Right now they're making car parts in Ohio for Mercedes door panels. With KY being the #1 state in automobiles, there's a great opportunity there. There's a great opportunity in the clothing business and cosmetics and suntan lotions and stuff. The best you'll see is always said to be made from hemp products."
Pendleton filed an act for industrial hemp last year, but was rejected. He says this year may be different because he expects the federal government to give Kentucky the required approval to grow hemp and Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture will speak in favor of the act to the General Assembly in January.