Efforts to allow hemp production appear to be growing in Kentucky despite the defeat of another legalization effort this year in the General Assembly. State senator Joey Pendleton has repeatedly introduced hemp legalization bills in an effort to restore a crop that decades ago was a major industry in Kentucky.
The tall, leafy plant was outlawed because of its similarity to marijuana but supporters say it's nearly impossible to get high by smoking hemp.
It can be used in the production of paper, biofuels, clothing, lotions and other products. Pendleton has gained more supporters for legalizing hemp including farmers, some legislators and state agriculture commissioner James Comer. They promise to seek legalization again next year.