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"The DEA and Kentucky Department of Agriculture agreed Friday to move forward with a permitting process so the state can obtain a shipment of hemp seeds for research projects this year, with an official at the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office saying the seeds could be released by Wednesday or Thursday.But the state still does not have clarification on whether the DEA will allow private farmers to participate in those research projects.Mobile users: Tap here for videoThe DEA seized a shipment of hemp seeds in Louisville earlier this month that were bound for pilot programs throughout Kentucky.The Kentucky Department of Agriculture filed an emergency motion Wednesday after the two sides couldn\u2019t agree on the terms of their release.U.S. District Court Judge John Heyburn heard from both sides, but will hold off ruling on the emergency motion.\u201CThe important thing at this point is to be able to move forward with pilot programs,\u201D said Holly Harris VonLuehtre, chief of staff for Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer. \u201CThe interest has always been to Commissioner Comer to jump start an industry here that could create jobs and opportunities for farmers.\u201DThe hemp seeds need to be planted by the end of the month in order to take advantage of the growing season, she said.The state has agreements with six universities and four private farmers for research projects, although not all of them will be planted this year.Kentucky approved the hemp pilot projects in 2013 and the federal government approved hemp research in February when it passed the Farm Bill.Interpretation of the Farm Bill language that authorized the hemp projects was the focus of the hearing.Read a copy of the federal law.Luke Morgan, a private attorney representing the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, said the department doesn\u2019t have any land on which to conduct experiments, so it has to use private farms.He said the bill gives the state the authority to certify sites and regulate the pilot programs.Heyburn said it appeared the private farms were \u201Cagents\u201D of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, but stopped short of issuing a ruling on the distinction.He asked the department to send the DEA and U.S.\u00A0 Attorney\u2019s Office copies of the memorandums of understanding between private farmers and the department.Ben Schecter, an assistant U.S. attorney in Louisville, said he believes the law only authorizes universities and state departments of agriculture to participate in the projects.He agreed to share the memorandums of understanding with officials from the DEA and U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office, but remained non-committal.\u201CUntil we see them, until we see the dynamics, I can\u2019t promise anything,\u201D he said."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wlky.com/article/judge-hears-arguments-over-hemp-seeds/3749914>