Southworth files bill to ease limits on cannabis growers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Kentucky state Sen. Adrienne Southworth (R-District 7) has filed legislation that will ease the limits on the levels of THC in hemp grown for CBD purposes.

According to Southworth, Senate Bill 113 (SB 113) proposes an increase in the allowable amount of THC in hemp – from .3% to 1%.

Kentucky Cannabis Company, the original CBD company of Kentucky founded in 2014 and the parent company of Bluegrass Hemp Oil, worked with Southworth on the bill.

The bill follows U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s proposed HEMP ACT, filed in December 2020, that aims to relieve unnecessary constraints on the hemp industry.

The rise in popularity of CBD products has provided an opportunity for Kentucky farmers and the state’s economy. U.S. consumer sales of CBD are projected to surpass $20 billion by 2024 according to BDS Analytics and Arcview Market Research. Currently Kentucky farmers risk having their crops destroyed by authorities if the traceable CBD levels exceeds .3%.

“This bill will give Kentucky hemp farmers the confidence and security they need to expand operations and make big investment, and it’s just as much about economic development as it is agriculture.  It’s an opportunity for Kentucky to lead, protect our farmers, and invest in their future,” said Sam Cox, government affairs representative for KCC.

“Increasing the THC not only protects Kentucky farmers but also allows for the cultivation of better varieties; thus improving the research and science and allowing us to provide an even more therapeutic product than we already offer today,” added Adriane Polyniak, executive director and owner of KCC.

CBD is used in a variety of ways to treat chronic pain, migraines, stress, sleep issues and anxiety as well as more serious health issues like seizures and epilepsy. In addition, it’s use in the veterinary market continues to grow.