Actor and hemp activist Woody Harrelson will face marijuana charges in Kentucky after failing to get the state supreme court to distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana.
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that there was no difference between hemp and marijuana and reinstated misdemeanor charges against Harrelson.
In a highly publicized event in June of 1996., Harrelson planted four industrial hemp seeds in a Lee County field and was cited by state officials for marijuana possession.
Harrelson argued that the statute outlawing marijuana possession was unconstitutional because it does not differentiate between marijuana and industrial hemp. The Lee County Court dismissed the charge, finding the state law criminalizing marijuana was overly broad by including industrial hemp. The dismissal was appealed by the government and the state court of appeals, in a purely procedural ruling, said the prosecutor could not appeal the dismissal. The government then appealed to the state supreme court.
“I’m sure Mr. Harrelson welcomes this opportunity to bring public awareness to the industrial hemp movement,” said Tom Dean, Esq., NORML Foundation Litigation Director. “Woody Harrelson’s civil disobedience in the face of government oppression demonstrates his selfless commitment to liberty and justice. He should be applauded by all Americans who still believe in personal freedom.”
For more information, please contact Tom Dean, Esq., NORML Foundation Litigation Director at (202) 483-8751 or Burl McCoy, Esq., attorney for Woody Harrelson at (606) 254-6363.
