Just checked my calendar and it's not April 1, so this might actually be true:
McConnell supports bill to legalize hemp production
The federal government currently puts hemp in the same category of illegal drug as heroin, LSD and ecstasy -- but the Senate's top Republican wants to change that.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R - Ky., joined forces Thursday with a pair of West Coast Democrats -- Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley -- to cosponsor a bill that would allow American farmers to grow hemp without fear of punishment. Also on board is libertarian Rand Paul, McConnell's fellow Republican Bluegrass State senator.
“I am proud to introduce legislation with my friend Rand Paul that will allow Kentucky farmers to harness the economic potential that industrial hemp can provide,” McConnell said in a statement Thursday. "During these tough economic times, this legislation has the potential to create jobs and provide a boost to Kentucky’s economy and to our farmers and their families."
See how easy that was? All "we" had to do in order to legalize growing a plant that could reduce the number of trees we cut down to make paper and also reduce the amount of
water and pesticides involved in growing cotton was:
- survive the Great Recession, making the economic impact of growing hemp more attractive to farmers, and
- endure some of the worst droughts in recorded history (but there's no global warming, right?)
So, now that farmers in the Midwest want to farm a more sustainable crop, McConnell's all for it!
11:46 AM PT: Someone just reminded me of the link between cotton and dangerous levels of arsenic in rice - another reason why this is such welcome news!