From: [c--o--n] at [dsmnet.com] (Carl E. Olsen)
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 1995 08:04:12 -0500
Subject: KY hemp survey

NEWS RELEASE                                                   
                   CONTACT: JOE HICKEY, Ex. Director 606.252.8954
Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association
P. O. Box 8395, Lexington, Kentucky 40533

KENTUCKIANS FAVOR INDUSTRIAL HEMP PRODUCTION

76.8% of Kentuckians support the legalization of industrial hemp production
in Kentucky according to a report from the University of Kentucky, Survey
Research Center on results of its Spring 1995 public opinion poll.  The
questions about industrial production were commissioned by the Kentucky Hemp
Growers Cooperative Association (KHGCA).  

The poll asked 675 people about the production of industrial hemp, which was
once a major Kentucky cash crop but is now illegal because marijuana is a
variety of hemp.  Of those polled, 78.8% said they strongly or somewhat
supported legalization of industrial hemp; 23.2% somewhat or strongly opposed
it.

KHGCA Executive Director Joe Hickey said, "These numbers show remarkable
public support for changes in the laws which prevent Kentucky farmers from
raising hemp for industrial uses.  Current state and federal laws make no
distinction between marijuana and industrial varieties of hemp even though
they are different.  Marijuana is a drug, industrial hemp is not; these
survey results show that Kentuckians understand this difference."

KHGCA Board Member Michael Greene, an advocate for agricultural
diversification and a former candidate for State Agricultural Commissioner,
said, "The U. S. market for textiles, paper, plastics, cosmetics, and food
made from hemp grown in Canada, England, Spain, France and other countries is
growing every day. Kentucky is known to be one of the best places on earth to
raise hemp and hemp seed.  Hemp for industrial uses was the biggest cash crop
for Kentucky farmers for as long or longer than tobacco has been.  Hemp fiber
production can earn net returns to farmers above corn and hay; hemp seed as
much as or more than tobacco. These survey results clearly show that Kentucky
public opinion supports industrial hemp production and I hope the law makers
and economic developers in Frankfort pay attention to this."

The polls margin of error was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

  ********************************************************************
  *  Carl Olsen                   *  [c--o--n] at [dsmnet.com]            *
  *  Post Office Box 4091         *  http://www.calyx.com/~olsen/    *
  *  Des Moines, Iowa 50333       *  [Carl E  Olsen] at [commonlink.com]    *
  *  (515) 262-6957 voice & fax   *  [73043 414] at [compuserve.com]        *
  ********************************************************************