President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law that removes industrial hemp from the federal list of controlled substances Thursday and Kentucky Ag. Commissioner Ryan Quarles has already submitted the Commonwealth’s regulatory framework for hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval as required by the legislation.
Kentucky was the first state to submit its hemp plan and Quarles says, “Kentucky has led the charge on industrial hemp with bipartisan support for the past five years. Now we are eager to take the next step toward solidifying Kentucky’s position as the epicenter of industrial hemp production and processing in the United States.”
Hemp growers in Kentucky will now have access to USDA programs such as crop insurance.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky led the way to get the language to legalize hemp in the Farm Bill and says, “I am confident the ingenuity of Kentucky’s farmers and producers will find new and creative uses for this exciting crop. We are at the beginning of a new era, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.”
The Farm Bill also includes important language to maintain crop insurance programs that producers across Kentucky depend on.
It is good to be with my fellow Kentuckians as we get ready for #FarmBill18 to be signed in to law. The farm bill is vital to Kentucky farm families and is the most important piece of legislation for the ag industry and rural communities. pic.twitter.com/hX5Uam6HFP
— Mark Haney (@mhaneyky) December 20, 2018