U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says provisions in the new Farm Bill to remove industrial hemp from the federal list of controlled substances is a victory for farmers in the Commonwealth and across the country.
Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, Senator McConnell says Kentucky can again become a leader in the hemp industry.
Kentucky legalized industrial hemp several years ago and McConnell says federally approved pilot projects have shown the crop’s potential.
He says more farmers will be able to grow more hemp with the complete federal legalization of industrial hemp.
Industrial hemp, which does not contain the THC levels of its cousin plant—marijuana—is used in CBD medical products and can be utilized by manufacturers in automotive parts, clothing and other products.
There is expected to be bipartisan support for the Farm Bill in the House and Senate in the next few days and President Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law before the end of the year.
Senator McConnell and Congressman James Comer served on the conference committee that ironed out a compromise on the Farm Bill.