The DEA Seized 250 Pounds of Hemp Seed, Now Holding it Hostage

Italy sent Kentucky 250 pounds of hemp seeds to help the Bluegrass state–once America’s largest hemp producer–launch its government approved hemp pilot programs. But federal customs agents (aka the DEA) at the Louisville International Airport clearly didn’t get this memo–nor the one stating that when President Obama signed the Farm Bill in February, Industrial Hemp Production for research purposes once again became legal.While unclear whether or not Louisville Airport and its custom officials knew about incoming shipment, they seized all 250 pounds of the seeds last Friday without any inquiry, apparently unaware that federal law makes them legal for production. Or that their own state’s Agriculture Commissioner James Comer created a pilot program that will see hemp produced and researched by six state-owned universities–including the University of Louisville.

Sure, it’s conceivable that a 250 pound shipment of seeds might raise some highbrows for any customs agent, but a quick Google search of “is Hemp legal” or a call to the White House could have quickly cleared the air. Instead, hemp is literally being held hostage by United States custom agents.

The seeds were seized last Friday and currently sit in limbo–and not a single Kentucky legislator has commented or taken control of the situation. If nothing changes by Wednesday, Agriculture Commissioner Comer will figuratively take the seeds to Washington D.C. and federal court–which would make for one trip of a trial.

Nonetheless, with or without these hemp seeds, Kentucky’s program will launch next week when the “Homegrown Heroes,” a group of war veterans, sow Kentucky’s first (legal) hemp seeds in over 50 years.

As noted earlier, Kentucky has an extremely rich hemp heritage, growing its first crop in 1775 and producing more hemp than any other state. And if you’re wondering what exactly industrial hemp production could mean to Kentucky, America, and the entire world, just read this plaque: