Senator Mitch McConnell is working to pass an amendment aimed at preventing another standoff over hemp seeds.
Legal wrangling over the delivery of hemp seeds to Kentucky threatened to derail the state’s first hemp pilot projects last month, but new language added to a Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill would further restrict the federal government’s ability to block the delivery of hemp seeds.
Legislation authored by McConnell and Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley would prohibit the funding of any action that violates the hemp provision in the 2014 Farm Bill – which allowed Kentucky to move forward with its pilot projects.
In a statement released Thursday, McConnell says the amendment has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. An identical amendment passed the House last week.
Six universities in the state are currently involved in hemp research projects.
