From the Ohio County Monitor..
“When I became Commissioner of Agriculture, I wanted to make Kentucky a national leader in industrial hemp research,” Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “These numbers demonstrate the economic potential of this emerging industry right here in Kentucky. It is time to remove industrial hemp from the list of controlled substances for our farmers and processors, so we can remove uncertainty from this versatile crop.”
In 2017, 198 growers planted the highest number of acres on record at more than 3,271 acres. The 2017 planting acreage was up from 2,350 acres in 2016, 922 acres in 2015, and 33 acres in 2014.
The KDA works closely with state and local law enforcement officers and provides GPS coordinates of approved industrial hemp planting, processing, and storage sites to law enforcement before any hemp is planted. Participants also must pass background checks and consent to allow program staff and law enforcement officers to inspect any premises where hemp or hemp products are being grown, handled, stored, or processed.
Source: https://ocmonitor.com/2018/04/04/quarles-hails-industrial-hemp-pilot-programs-economic-impact/
