Showing posts with label Katie Moyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katie Moyer. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
Friday, February 01, 2013
Most powerful senator in the US, Mitch McConnell, backs hemp
Yesterday I posted the speculation about Senator Mitch McConnell, the most powerful senator in the United States, throwing his hat in the ring for hemp. Today it is in. That means Kentucky has both of its senators supporting the movement, that is one big milestone, just after Mina and her pals got that petition up at www.minawear.com/about-us/ - we need to lobby from all sides and get this done!
This latest came about by the hard work of Kaite Moyer and the Kentucky Hemp Coalition - see their blog at:
www.kentuckyhempcoalition.blogspot.com
The article below is by Elahe Izadi of the National Journal:
This latest came about by the hard work of Kaite Moyer and the Kentucky Hemp Coalition - see their blog at:
www.kentuckyhempcoalition.blogspot.com
The article below is by Elahe Izadi of the National Journal:
Mitch McConnell Wants to See the Hemp Ban Go Up in Smoke
Senate Republican leader says hemp production would create jobs, not encourage illegal drug use.
A hemp harvest in Switzerland. (AP Photo/fls/Keystone).
The titans of the budding hemp industry just got another supporter, and a powerful one at that: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
It turns out some long talks with his libertarian-minded colleague Rand Paul have led to McConnell’s coming out in favor of industrialized hemp.
In a statement issued Friday, McConnell said, “I am convinced that allowing [hemp] production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy.” He also said he’s been assured by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer that legalizing hemp production wouldn't promote illegal drug use.
“The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times, that sounds like a good thing to me,” McConnell said.
If industrial hemp were to be legalized in Kentucky, it could be a cash crop. Kentucky's Legislature is preparing to tackle the issue (law enforcement isn't a fan of legalizing industrial hemp production). Paul has also sponsored a bill that would lift the federal ban on growing hemp.
It turns out some long talks with his libertarian-minded colleague Rand Paul have led to McConnell’s coming out in favor of industrialized hemp.
In a statement issued Friday, McConnell said, “I am convinced that allowing [hemp] production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy.” He also said he’s been assured by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer that legalizing hemp production wouldn't promote illegal drug use.
“The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times, that sounds like a good thing to me,” McConnell said.
If industrial hemp were to be legalized in Kentucky, it could be a cash crop. Kentucky's Legislature is preparing to tackle the issue (law enforcement isn't a fan of legalizing industrial hemp production). Paul has also sponsored a bill that would lift the federal ban on growing hemp.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Latest on Kentucky from Katie Moyer
Katie Moyer, who runs the www.kentuckyhempcoalition.blogspot.com site, just sent out this release:
Katie Moyer with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.
This is it folks! The KY industrial hemp bill, sponsored by Sen Paul Hornback, is all set for February 11th in the Agriculture Committee in Frankfort! The hearing is set for 11AM Eastern Time.
It's now been confirmed that Congressman John Yarmuth (D) and Senator Rand Paul (R) will be testifying on behalf of the crop. They will be there to support Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.
Why is this such big news?
So far industrial hemp farming in KY has been endorsed by the KY Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Association of Counties, the KY Judge Executives Association, and individual Sheriffs across the state.
The issue has gotten incredibly positive media coverage around the Bluegrass, and several major industries are now looking carefully into hemp research and production. Patriot Bioenergy is currently doing research into blending hemp cellulose with coal for cleaner burning fuel. Caudill Seed Company, the largest producer of certified seed in the state of Kentucky, has expressed great interest in hemp seed being the newest addition to their company. And there are even talks of Toyota replacing the jute used to make car parts with KY grown hemp fibers!
And now, add to that these two heavyweights of the political world who are coming together to testify on behalf of a crop that could be the desperately-needed replacement for tobacco. They are putting political pressure aside to prove that hemp is not only a non-partisan issue, it's a job creating issue! In addition to these two testimonies, we should also hear from newly elected Congressman Thomas Massie, a vocal supporter of hemp, and Mike Lewis, a disabled veteran who founded the group Homegrown by Heroes, which helps military veterans get back to the land and back to work.
This is an incredible lineup of speakers, all coming together to testify on behalf of a crop which has massive grassroots support across the state. I would recommend that any hemp supporters who are in the area that Monday, to come and show their support for the bill, as well as staying afterwards for a possible political rally on the steps of the Capitol!
If you have any questions, please give me a call, text, or email. Hope to see you there!
Katie Moyer
Commission Member and Chair of the KY Hemp Coalition
Commission Member and Chair of the KY Hemp Coalition
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