Legislation that would set up regulations for growing industrial hemp in Kentucky if the federal government ever made it legal continues to await action in Frankfort and Christian Fiscal Court has thrown its support behind the bill.

Seven of the eight magistrates voted in favor of a resolution urging lawmakers to support the bill, with District 1 Squire Rudolph Pettus abstaining.

Squire Jim Flemming says he remembers a time when hemp was grown with success in Christian County.

District 6 Magistrate Jack Lackey is also a farmer in the Pembroke area and says he believes Hopkinsville could possibly benefit with new jobs if hemp ever became legal.

Squire Lackey pointed out that the THC level actually decreases in marijuana when cross-bred with hemp. THC is the chemical in marijuana that causes a person to become intoxicated.

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02/26/2013/am