Kentucky is not getting Medical Marijuana, that is a misunderstanding.

Kentucky is not getting Medical Marijuana, that is a misunderstanding. Our senate passed SB124, a nearly useless bill that modifies the definition of KRS 218A.010 to say:

(21) "Marijuana" means all parts of the plant Cannabis...The term "marijuana" does not include:
(a) Industrial hemp as defined in KRS 260.850
(b) The substance cannabidiol, when transferred, dispensed, or administered pursuant to the written order of a physician practicing at a hospital or associated clinic affiliated with a Kentucky public university having a college or school of medicine; or
(c) For persons participating in a clinical trial or in an expanded access program, a drug or substance approved for the use of those participants by the United States Food and Drug Administration;

So UK and U of L's research hospitals can prescribe it, but where is it coming from? The bill to allow us to grow our own medicine and use it for more than just oil was called HB350/SB43. HB350 passed 2 committees before the Judiciary committee sat on it and squelched it. They don't want you to heal yourself. They want to make more money for Hospitals and Drug companies. They also want to make money with ATM Placement for 420 Weed Dispensaries, Credit Card Processing for Smoke Shops, and Business Funding Companies.

I also want to note that part of the reason that our legislator is willing to pass this, but not even read HB350, is that this bill only modifies two sentences in an existing law. HB350 is all "New Language", as an unnamed representative whined to me in a private meeting.

They don't have the time to read the bill, but I can read it twice? They only work about 60 days a year, and get paid $50K+

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Ky. Senate gives unanimous approval to bill allowing oil derived from hemp and marijuana

By Jack Brammer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

March 12, 2014

FRANKFORT — In a vote that state Sen. Julie Denton said was unimaginable a decade ago, the Kentucky Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to let certain pediatric seizure patients use an oil derived from hemp and marijuana.

"This was one of those tingly moments you get when you pass a bill that you really know is good for the commonwealth. It is really going to help people's lives," said Denton, R-Louisville.

The 38-0 vote on Denton's Senate Bill 124 is believed to be the first time a Kentucky legislative chamber approved a measure allowing the use of any derivative of hemp and marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The Senate vote occurred as Laureen Vassil of Lexington anxiously looked on in the gallery. Her 15-year-old daughter, Allison, has seizures that are not controlled by medication. She is only able to do first grade work in school.

"I think this bill will help," Vassil said, adding that her family has considered taking Allison to Colorado, where marijuana usage is legal. "But we don't have the means to do that."

The bill would allow the use of cannabidiol, a derivative of hemp, when recommended by a physician practicing at the University of Louisville or University of Kentucky state research hospital.

It also would exempt the oil from the legal definition of marijuana when used in studies approved by the Federal Drug Administration and compassionate-use programs. Such programs use new, unapproved drugs when no other treatments are available.

Debbie McGrath, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana, said she was "thrilled" by the Senate vote.

McGrath said thousands of Kentucky families could benefit from the legislation, which now goes to the House.

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said the bill does not open the door to unlimited use of marijuana plants for medical purposes, as some lawmakers advocate.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, said he cannot stand "the scourge" of illegal drugs in the state and stressed that SB 124 does not legalize illegal drugs.

He called it a "careful, measured approach" to using hemp and marijuana plants. The Kentucky State Police also supports the bill.

Westerfield said his vote was motivated by a young girl in his district named Clara.

"If I don't take this opportunity to help her, she won't grow up," he said in casting his "yes" vote.

Denton said she thinks the bill has a good chance of winning approval in the House.

"This was drafted with House members as well," she said. "Depending on the committee that it goes to, I think it will have unanimous support or very close to that."

Arthur VanWinkle explains the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Bills in Senate

High everyone (pun intended)!!!

I have received several requests to explain where the Medical Marijuana effort is for Kentucky.

KENTUCKY has THREE Medical Marijuana Bills in this years Legislative Session.

The first bill I will discuss is Senate Bill 124.

It was introduced into the Senate by Julie Denton, on Wednesday, February 05, 2014, with the following Senators co sponsoring the bill:

Westerfield , Whitney
Blevins Jr. , Walter
Carroll , Julian M.
Clark , Perry B.
Harper Angel , Denise
Higdon , Jimmy
McGarvey , Morgan
Webb , Robin L.

The summary for SB 124 is as follows:

Amend KRS 218A.010 to exempt from the definition of "marijuana" drugs used in FDA-approved studies or compassionate use programs and the substance cannabidiol when recommended by a physician practicing at a state research hospital.

SB 124 was assigned Friday, February 07, 2014 - to Health & Welfare Senate Committee.

There has been no amendments to this bill.

The bill removes restriction, to allow University Doctors to prescribe Oil for epileptic seizures. This bill will allow cannabidiol Medicine, that falls within the definition of the Kentucky hemp law.

Under the Kentucky definition of Hemp, Industrial Hemp has less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), better known as THC and the active ingredient in marijuana (Marijuana has 3% or more). The oil most commonly used by epileptic children has around .3% THC. The oil does not have the high of Marijuana. Just the seizure relief for the children who suffer from them.

This bill has some favor, where the broader Medical Marijuana bill is opposed as Senator Whitney Westerfield has been clearly, and publicly against Medical Marijuana prior to this bill.

Last year the Medical Marijuana bill was assigned to the Senate judiciary-committee. Senator Whitney Westerfield is the chair of the Senate judiciary-committee. At which time he refused to bring the bill up for discussion, or a vote. The 2013 Medical Marijuana bill died, by stalling out in committee.

There is some opposition to this bill, coming from a source, many would not expect. The unexpected source would be from Cannabis advocates. The reasons vary, but the major ones that I have seen will be as follows:

There is a need by some epileptic children to have more than the allowed THC. Some children have a need to raise the THC levels of their oil. This is rare, but for those that do require the increase. Usually is after some extended time of use.

Another main objective reason that opposition has, is that the bill only allows for the low THC oil and that many people need THC Medical Marijuana. Therefore the bill is a way of picking-n-choosing who should see Cannabis relief.

The last major reason to discuss would be, a fear of setting precedence. There is fear that this bill could set a precedence. A precedence that may hinder future Kentucky Cannabis reform.

I will explain my views, after researching this opposition's concerns.

The first concern of some is needing to increase the amount of THC.

Yes this is fact. If the bill passes, it would be something to address the very next session. With University Doctors seeing this medicine work first hand and the need to increase the THC levels was an issue for these Doctors just think of the power that would add to future efforts to expand on that law exemption. Maybe include the exemption of both more THC, and allowing family Doctors to prescribe the epileptic oil. I think it would not be a very difficult task to have this expanded, in future sessions.

The second concern. Yes it would only allow Cannabis relief for a very few. But this very few is children!!! Children with serious health issues. Issues with every seizure causing permanent damage for the child. I think that alone is enough to support this bill totally.

The way I feel about it, let us adults continue this fight. Let the Kids who need this have some Cannabis relief. Yes there is a continuing fight here, no matter the out come of this bill. Yes, there are children with cancer that need the more broader form of Medical Marijuana. Yes, there is way more to fight for. But let's not turn our noses up to any Cannabis relief, that does not bring harm to future Cannabis reform efforts. (next concern to discuss)

The Concern of this bill setting a precedence. This bill only removes restriction from the current laws. No added future restrictions in this bill, at all. Therefore no precedence would be set by the passage from this bill.

A similar bill in other states could set precedence for them but Kentucky is a little different in their law passage structure.

Yes, the passage of this bill, would take away some of the pressure the broader Medical Marijuana bill has with the need for relief for those children associated with the broader bill. I personally think much of the opposition with Kentucky Cannabis advocates lies with this the most, but have good reason to be too ashamed to let it be known publicly. While many more are either not fully informed, or have been misinformed.

I don't think we should pass this up, to add weight to other Kentucky Cannabis efforts. I think that would be very selfish, and shines a bad public light on the Kentucky Cannabis community. Just my opinion.

The next Bill I will discuss, is Senate bill 43.

On Tuesday, January 07, 2014 - the bill was introduced in Senate by Senator Perry B. Clark, with the following co sponsors.
Blevins Jr. , Walter
Harper Angel , Denise
Thomas , Reginald

The summary for Senate bill 43 is as follows:

Create various new sections of KRS Chapter 218A to establish a comprehensive system for medical cannabis in Kentucky, including provisions for medical verification of need, persons allowed to cultivate, use, and possess the drug, organizations allowed to assist in providing the drug, regulation by the state Department for Public Health, interaction with state and local governments, including law enforcement, with persons and entities coming within the purview of the Act, and the establishment of required reporting and review procedures; amend KRS 218A.040 to conform; name the Act the Cannabis Compassion Act.

Senate Bill was assigned Monday, January 13, 2014 - to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Senate Committee.

There are No Amendments for this Bill.

This bill has opposition mostly within our Legislators. There claims of concerns, are of the Gateway drug, addiction, and message it would send to the children.

But I believe there are also some public concerns, such as the fear to associate their platform with Marijuana. I believe there is also a fear of lost federal drug fighting dollars coming to Kentucky with the passage of this bill.

To overcome this, there will be the need of mass support which is still a work in process in obtaining.

One of the main reasons I think there is not the out pouring of support for the Medical Marijuana bill is that Marijuana is still a criminal offense and people are afraid. While some are not afraid but are not motivated to give this 100% even though they support Medical Marijuana. The reason I believe the lack of motivation is because of the risk they feel is present and the lack of benefit to them personally. Also, the feeling that Kentucky Medical Marijuana will be very tightly controlled with many not being able to gain safe access.

I do realize anything short of recreational marijuana use legalization in Kentucky would not provide safe access for all those in need. With that said, I return to the fact that with the passage or the fail of this bill the fight for Cannabis reform will continue. So I will encourage support of this bill.

The last Marijuana bill to discuss would be House bill 350.

It was introduced into the House by Rep.Marzian , Mary Lou Thursday, February 06, 2014, with being co sponsored by Rep. Burch , Tom

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - the bill was assigned to the Health & Welfare House Committee.

Friday, February 14, 2014 - posted in committee.

This is the first Medical Marijuana Bill to be carried into the Kentucky house. There has been two previous Medical Marijuana informational hearings in the Kentucky Health & Welfare House Committee. There is another one this coming Thursday.
It is possible that the committee will call a meeting for more discussions and possibly call it up for a committee vote after a informational hearing but it is not a requirement.

For more views concerning this bill, see discussion for SB 43 above. As this is a companion House bill to the SB 43 in the Senate.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is not a voter initiative state.

A voter initiative state can collect enough signatures on a petition to have a law change placed on the ballot. Kentucky cannot, and the state legislators solely decide on law changes for Kentucky. They do have a strong influence from the Governor, in the form of a veto which a veto can be over came by the Legislators.

An amendment to the Kentucky Constitution has to go to the ballot after it gets passed through the state.(none of the bills above are state amendments, therefore this does not apply).

The steps these bills have to take are as follows:

They have to pass a simple majority vote in the committee they are assigned to.

Then they will have to pass the floor vote in the house they was introduced with a simple majority vote.

Then they will go to the other house, and again to pass a simple majority vote.

Then on to the Governor which has three options which are:

First, he could sign it into law.

Second, He could just not sign it, and it would go into law after the grace period.

Third, He could also veto it back to the state congress to be reviewed, and possibly voted on and passed through state congress.

It seems like we have a long way to go, and we do. But we have also came a long way.

Where we need the most support in my opinion, is building the masses to support the various Cannabis reform efforts. Getting friends, family, and the general public to support Cannabis reform.

With that support, there needs to be phone calls to Legislators being made. There needs to be meetings being made with the individual Legislators being arranged. There needs to have those who support Cannabis reform, to be open, and get the conversation started whenever it may seem appropriate. There is a need to call out to all who run for public office, to share their views on the various Cannabis reform options. There is a need for people stop trying to overlook this elephant in the room.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

Yes, and no.

Yes United, for everyone supporting any positive Cannabis relief measure.

No, you don't have to associate with someone because they are pro Cannabis reform. No you don't have to support all groups, or organizations to fully support Cannabis reform. Yes, there are many fronts that a fight can be fought. There can be a divided approach, yet still be united in the end goal. There are various ways, groups, and organizations to support Cannabis reform. You may not click with some people, or organizations and/or groups. So it is OK to find where you feel the most comfortable, as it will breed more personal support being given by the individual. Because the more comfort, the more productivity. You do not have to be friends with anyone to support Cannabis reform. Yet we need to try to always put our best forward so as to over come the stereotype we all share.

I hope this helps everyone to understand where we are, and where we all can discuss, where we can direct our personal efforts. As they will not be all be the same.

Thank you all for reading this long post, and the continued Cannabis support!

KLRC LINKS on Medical Marijuana: insert search term "medical marijuana" and it will pull up all kinds of information on these Bills.

Also search under the Bill Number tab and enter specific Bill Numbers there to search:

SB124

SB43

HB350

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Ky. Senate panel OKs trial use of cannabis oil

by ASSOCIATED PRESS

WHAS11.com

Posted on February 26, 2014 at 2:53 PM

   FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- A Kentucky Senate committee has advanced a bill to allow trial use of cannabis oil to treat children suffering from severe seizures.

   Republican Sen. Julie Denton predicted Wednesday that her bill has enough support to pass the Senate and House. The measure now goes to the full Senate.

   The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard emotional testimony from parents who pleaded with lawmakers to legalize cannabis oil for their ailing children.

   Rita Wooton of Hyden says her young son has been plagued by severe seizures since birth. She says they've tried more than a dozen drugs but nothing has worked.

   The bill would allow use of the non-intoxicating medical marijuana oil when it's recommended by doctors practicing at a state university research hospital.

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Kentucky Medical Marijuana Bill to Be Considered by House Committee

The Kentucky House Health and Welfare Committee has postponed a public hearing on a bill that would allow patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS top use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

The hearing on HB 350, the Cannabis Compassion Act, originally scheduled for Thursday, is now rescheduled for February 27.

HB 350, known as the Cannabis Compassion Act, introduced on February 10 by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville), a registered nurse, was the first effective medical marijuana bill ever introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives. It would allow licensed patients and caregivers to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana.

It would also establish safety compliance facilities and permit one medical marijuana compassion center for every 100,000 state residents. Sen. Perry Clark (D-Louisville) introduced a similar measure, SB 43, earlier this year.

“The science is clear that medical marijuana can provide significant benefits to people suffering from a variety of debilitating conditions,” said Matt Simon, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). “If physicians think their patients would benefit from medical marijuana, politicians should not interfere. Kentuckians do not want seriously ill people to be treated like criminals for trying to improve the quality of their lives.”

Nearly 80 percent of Kentucky adults think people with serious illnesses should be allowed to access and use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctors recommend it, according to a Kentucky Health Issues Poll released in May 2013.

- See more at: http://hemp.org/news/content/kentucky-medical-marijuana-hearing-postponed-rescheduled-february-27#sthash.0B3wDpjn.asjmlNOq.dpuf

The hearing on HB 350, the Cannabis Compassion Act, originally scheduled for Thursday, is now rescheduled for February 27.

It would also establish safety compliance facilities and permit one medical marijuana compassion center for every 100,000 state residents. Sen. Perry Clark (D-Louisville) introduced a similar measure, SB 43, earlier this year.

“The science is clear that medical marijuana can provide significant benefits to people suffering from a variety of debilitating conditions,” said Matt Simon, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). “If physicians think their patients would benefit from medical marijuana, politicians should not interfere. Kentuckians do not want seriously ill people to be treated like criminals for trying to improve the quality of their lives.”

Nearly 80 percent of Kentucky adults think people with serious illnesses should be allowed to access and use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctors recommend it, according to a Kentucky Health Issues Poll released in May 2013.

- See more at: http://hemp.org/news/content/kentucky-medical-marijuana-hearing-postponed-rescheduled-february-27#sthash.0B3wDpjn.asjmlNOq.dpuf

The Kentucky House Health and Welfare Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing Thursday at 12:00 p.m. ET on a bill that would allow people suffering from conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and HIV/AIDS to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. - See more at: http://www.erattorney.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-bill-to-be-considered-by-house-committee/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-medical-marijuana-bill-to-be-considered-by-house-committee#sthash.bspObY0n.dpuf

Rep. Mary Lou Marzian

HB 350, known as the Cannabis Compassion Act, introduced on February 10 by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville), a registered nurse, was the first effective medical marijuana bill ever introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives. It would allow licensed patients and caregivers to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana. It would also establish safety compliance facilities and permit one medical marijuana compassion center for every 100,000 state residents. Sen. Perry Clark (D-Louisville) introduced a similar measure, SB 43, earlier this year.

Nearly 80% of Kentucky adults think people with serious illnesses should be allowed to access and use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctors recommend it, according to a Kentucky Health Issues Poll released in May 2013.

- See more at: http://www.erattorney.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-bill-to-be-considered-by-house-committee/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-medical-marijuana-bill-to-be-considered-by-house-committee#sthash.bspObY0n.dpuf

Rep. Mary Lou Marzian

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Tears flow before historic committee approval of cannabis oil bill

By Theo Keith - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rita Wooten

FRANKFORT, KY (WAVE) - A southeastern Kentucky mother's tearful testimony brought sympathy from a Kentucky Senate committee, which, for the first time in memory, approved a bill allowing cannabis oil for medical uses.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, would allow University of Louisville and University of Kentucky hospitals to treat epilepsy patients with the oil. Denton has said cannabis oil has very low levels of THC, the chemical in marijuana.

Only one senator voted against the bill as it passed out of committee Wednesday.

The mother who testified, Rita Wooten, of Hyden, told lawmakers she needs cannabis oil to treat her young son, who has severe epilepsy.

"We're not looking for sympathy or even empathy," she said. "We're looking for help, and that's where we come to you all. It's your decision as far as what my son gets for treatment."

Wooten said she and her husband were considering moving to Colorado, where the treatment is legal.

In response, Denton suggested that Wooten ignore Kentucky law and obtain cannabis oil.

"I don't know that I've ever suggested anything that isn't legal, but I know as a parent, I'd be doing whatever it took," said Denton, whose own daughter once suffered from seizures.

Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, went further, telling Wooten that he would represent her if she were charged with a crime.

"Get your airplane tickets bought so you can go wherever you can get this cannabis oil," he said. "By the time you get back it will probably will be (legal.) If it isn't and you get in trouble, please call me."

"My name is Julian Carroll, I'm an attorney. I'll represent you, or I'll get someone to represent you so you'll won't get in trouble."

Kentucky State Police have endorsed the bill because it would limit cannabis oil use to research hospitals.

Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, who combined have decades of experience in state politics, couldn't remember a time when a legislative committee had approved a marijuana-related bill for medical purposes.

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Thanks To Mitch McConnell, Hemp Production Might Be Coming To Kentucky

Yeah, you read that right...

By James Higdon on February 13, 2014

LOUSIVILLE, KY. -- When President Obama signed the Farm Bill in Michigan on Friday afternoon, the "McConnell Hemp Provision" became the first Congressional action to roll back the prohibition on marijuana since World War II. That's right. Mitch McConnell might have accidentally taken the first step toward ending the Drug War.

"By exploring innovative ways to use hemp to benefit a variety of Kentucky industries, while avoiding negative impact to Kentucky law enforcement's efforts at marijuana interdiction, the pilot programs authorized by this legislation could help boost our state's economy."

Mitch McConnell said that? Yes he did.

How did Sen. McConnell become eponymous with language that permits pilot plots of the plant that until 2:45 eastern time on Friday were considered by the federal government to be indistinguishable from marijuana, a drug that remains classified by the Obama administration as Schedule I? It has left more than a few people scratching their heads.

The short answer is that hemp is popular in Kentucky: 65 percent of Kentuckians support industrial hemp, including 53 percent of self-described conservatives, according to a Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll released February 6, the day before the president signed the Farm Bill into law.

This comes on the heels of other polls showing McConnell's job approval rating is lower than President Obama's in Kentucky and with McConnell trailing his presumptive democratic challenger, Alison Lundergan Grimes, by four points. So, McConnell could use all the popular issues he can get.

Grimes and her campaign read the same polls. Though she has not been leading on this issue, Grimes recognizes that she cannot simply gainsay the hemp provision simply because McConnell claims authorship of it, as some in her party have.

"I support any legal opportunity to create jobs," Grimes says. "The measure allows pilot hemp programs, and I hope it does benefit our Kentucky farmers."

With that tepid statement, Ms. Grimes becomes only the second Kentucky democrat to support industrial hemp, after Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville testified with his republican colleagues at a state senate committee hearing on the economic benefits of industrial hemp last year.

"I was proud to stand up for industrial hemp in Kentucky from the beginning, to testify to its economic benefits last year with Sen. Paul, Congressman Massie, and Commissioner Comer, and to work with my colleagues to advance this Kentucky priority in Washington," Yarmuth says.

The vacuum of democratic leadership on this issue (with the exception of Yarmuth) is what led to the opening that allowed McConnell to seize upon a popular issue that democrats had not claimed as their own. But the question remains for a national audience trying to make sense of Kentucky politics from the outside: If hemp is so popular, why are Kentucky democrats so afraid of it?

Hemp's original sin was to be born to a parent of the wrong party because James Comer, Kentucky's agricultural commissioner, is a republican. Last year, Comer shepherded a hemp bill through the Kentucky legislature by overcoming every obstacle thrown at him by the speaker of the general assembly, the governor, and the attorney general -- all democrats.

Once the hemp bill became law in Kentucky last year, Yarmuth's republican colleagues in DC introduced hemp bills in both chambers. When Sen. Paul refiled his hemp bill at the beginning of this 113th Congress, Sen. McConnell came aboard as a cosponsor.

On July 11, 2013, the Farm Bill passed the House with language attached that would allow hemp for university studies, authored by two Kentucky republicans, Thomas Massie and Andy Barr. What McConnell takes credit for as "the McConnell Hemp Provision," is an expansion of this language in the final Farm Bill to include not just universities, but also state agricultural departments, like the one run by James Comer in Kentucky.

McConnell's maneuver to seize the mantle of libertarian pragmatist is a gambit that anyone could easily call out as craven, but democrats in Kentucky have done everything they could to derail the hemp train, so they can hardly criticize McConnell now for claiming credit for getting the train to station.

But with Grimes's lukewarm support, perhaps the democrats are slowly coming around to the idea that they can challenge the Drug War status quo now without hardline republicans labeling them as "soft on crime" when it's the republicans legalizing hemp.

Or maybe not. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway's office is not commenting on whether the McConnell Hemp Provision satisfies its concerns. Conway, a Democrat best known to a national audience as the U.S. Senate candidate who lost to Rand Paul, is the last legal obstacle to hemp farming in Kentucky. Before the Farm Bill was signed last week, the attorney general's position was that before hemp can be grown, Kentucky must obtain a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Administration -- even as other states move forward with recreational marijuana legalization.

So now, Conway's office is waiting for the DEA's interpretation of the McConnell Hemp Provision before commenting. Will this last obstacle fall, or will the DEA find a narrow interpretation of the hemp provision that would discourage farmers from participating in pilot projects?

But it's not just Kentucky democrats that have gone soft on reforming our drug laws, it's the Obama administration, too.

On Thursday, a DEA spokesman said that the DEA "does not comment on pending legislation," and on Friday afternoon after President Obama had signed the Farm Bill into law, the spokesman did not return repeated phone calls from Esquire.com seeking comment. On Monday, the DEA responded with this statement:

"Under the newly enacted "hemp" provision of the FARRM Bill [sic], certain producers of 'industrial hemp' (as defined in the bill) will be permitted to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes. Specifically, institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), along with state departments of agriculture, will be permitted to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes, provided such production is authorized by State law, and the research is done as part of an agricultural pilot program, or other agricultural academic research. The provision defines "industrial hemp" as cannabis containing 0.3 percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinols [sic] (THC)."

This statement says nothing that wasn't already known, other than it confirms that the DEA understands that federal law has changed.

When asked directly whether the DEA interprets the Farm Bill as to permitting farmers to engage in commerce with the hemp they produce in these pilot projects -- whether farmers will be allowed to sell their hemp -- the DEA will not comment.

The DEA spokesman referred Esquire.com up the chain to the Department of Justice, and we've asked them the same question: Will hemp farmers be allowed to sell their hemp? As of the end of day Wednesday, the DOJ has yet to respond.