The Industrial Hemp Bill may have passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on a unanimous vote, but one local legislator says it may have a harder time getting through the house.

State Representative Brent Yonts says there may not be enough evidence to show hemp would produce jobs in Kentucky to get it through the House.

Representative Yonts says it will likely come down to whether hemp would be a viable crop in Kentucky that would actually make money and create jobs.

The measure is opposed by the Kentucky State Police Commissioner for what he sees as similarities to its “cousin plant” marijuana, though the THC value in hemp is extremely low.

Even if the bill is approved, federal regulations would currently prevent Kentucky farmers from growing hemp.

                                                **

02/12/2013/am