Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Wants State To Capitalize On Hemp

"My goal is to make Kentucky an epicenter for hemp farmers and processors," Quarles wrote.

(Frankfort, Ky.) - Kentucky's top farmer says the state should have a leg up on hemp.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles wrote in a letter to the state's federal lawmakers this week that he wants to see Kentucky become the epicenter of industrial hemp.

Quarles last month bragged that Kentucky farmers already are making millions off the crop. Kentucky's hemp production last year was worth $7.5 million to farmers.

Quarles says Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell is also pushing hard to make sure Kentucky is leading the pack if or when hemp becomes legal for farmers across the country.