Resolution in Support of Industrial Hemp
Amending 7 U.S.C section 5940
Allowing 1% THC Content
Whereas, industrial hemp, a plant in the genus Cannabis sativa, played an important and significant role in the early history of Kentucky and the United States dating back to the 1600’s when colonists began cultivating hemp to meet high demand for fiber and other important production materials; and,
Whereas, Kentucky was a major industrial hemp producer in the United States until cultivation and possession of all varieties of Cannabis sativa, including industrial hemp, were outlawed in 1938 by enacting the federal Marijuana Tax Act; and,
Whereas, during World War II the United States Department of Agriculture distributed industrial hemp seed to Kentucky farmers who were called upon to assist with the war efforts by producing industrial hemp materials to make uniforms, rope and canvas as well as important lubricating oils and fuels; and,
Whereas, an extensive variety of products can be made from industrial hemp fiber, seed, seed oils, cellulose and/or floral extracts and found in products such as paper, fabrics, auto parts, animal bedding, body care products and essential oils to name only a few; and,
Whereas, cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa having no psychoactive effects, and is being evaluated for its role as a food additive or health supplement; and,
Whereas, increasingly credible scientific research indicates that nutraceuticals including cannabidiol extracts may have important medical uses and benefits with low to no risk of negative side effects for various ailments; and,
Whereas, cannabidiol has been known to assist patients in controlling epileptic seizures, reduce pain and inflammation and manage a variety of other ailments; and,
Whereas, the federal government defines industrial hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant whether growing or not with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis”; and,
Whereas, industrial hemp farmers and processors strongly encourage Congress to reassess the definition of industrial hemp as referenced in 7 U.S.C section 5940 and to increase the allowable farm production values to one percent (1%) tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in order to allow industrial hemp farmers to increase yield potential per acre and profitability for all industrial hemp grown in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and nationally; and,
Whereas, a change in the definition not only impacts the crop values for Kentucky farmers’ production of industrial hemp for nutraceutical extracts but also impacts all other aspects of industry development, banking, state and federal regulation investor and consumer awareness and,
Whereas, increasing yield potential per acre equates to increased profit potential for Kentucky’s farm families and industrial hemp processors;
Now, Therefore Be it Resolved *(County)* County Fiscal Court strongly urges our Kentucky Legislative delegation of *(Representative Name)* and *(Senator Name)*, the Legislative leadership and bodies of the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate, as well as the US Congressional delegation of Kentucky along with the leadership and bodies of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate to revise the current definition of industrial hemp found in 7 U.S.C. Section 5940, increasing the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threshold of dry weight flower concentration from three tenths of one percent (0.3%) to one percent (1%).
Be it further resolved *(County)* County Fiscal Court directs this resolution be delivered to our legislative delegation, leadership of both legislative bodies in the Kentucky General Assembly, to our US congressional delegation as well as the leadership of both bodies of the US House and US Senate.
This resolution approved by *(County)* County Fiscal Court on December ____, 2019 by a vote of ____yeas, ____nays and ___ abstentions.
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*(Judge Name), (County Name)* Judge Executive Date
Attested by:
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*(County Clerks Name)*, *(County Name)* County Clerk Date
