KS lawmakers consider measure to conduct research into uses of industrial hemp

PLEVNA, Kan. State lawmakers in Kansas are considering measures to conduct research into the uses of industrial hemp.

The product comes from a sativa plant, like marijuana, but the hemp plant looks much different and is used to create thousands of products.

But as efforts to legalize research continue in Kansas, some farmers think these efforts aren't enough.

For farmers like Rock Gagnebin near Plevna, cattle is the main source of income, but he sees a golden opportunity with a different kind of crop.

"Hemp, you can eat it, or you can build a house with it," Gagnebin says.

Gagnebin has done a lot of research into industrialized hemp, a species of cannabis with less than 0.3-percent THC -- the chemical in marijuana that gets you high -- but is illegal to grow in Kansas.

"Farmers future is pretty grim at this point," Gagnebin says.

He says hemp could provide a much-needed boost to the farm economy. 

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Trevor Macy ~ KWCH12 ~