1997 | Court finds statute "overbroad" after Harrelson charges are dismissed
Updated: Jan 19, 2019
On January 23, 1997, Judge Ralph E. McClanahan handed down the following judgment in the case of Woody Harrelson:
After reviewing the statutes and memoranda of the parties this Court finds that the definition of marijuana contained in KRS 218A.010 (12) is constitutionally defective due to its overbroad application by including non-hallucinogenic plant parts. ... We believe the enactment of (this statute) is an arbitrary exercise of power by the General Assembly over the lives and property of free men.

"I applaud Judge McClanahan for his ruling. Hemp was once the number one cash crop in Kentucky and Kentucky was the number on hemp producer in the country. Thanks to Judge McClanahan's decision, I am confident that day will come again for Kentucky farmers. Not only is this a great day for the hemp industry and the farmers of Kentucky, but it ultimately will prove historic for the farmers, the economy and the environment of the rest of the country."
- Woody Harrelson
Click the links below to learn more about the Harrelson and Cockrel trials:
1996 | Woody Harrelson speaks at Simpsonville Elementary
1996 | Woody Harrelson arrested for planting hemp in Kentucky
1996 | Donna Cockrel investigated after Woody Harrelson hemp presentation
1996 | Kentucky Hemp Museum & Library launches mobile exhibit
1996 | Woody Harrelson launches hemp essay contest
1996 | School trys to revoke Donna Cockrel's teaching certificate
1996 | Woody Harrelson defends Donna Cockrel
1996 | Woody Harrelson announces hemp essay winners
1996 | Charges dismissed against Woody Harrelson for Kentucky hemp planting
1997 | Kentucky Hemp Museum takes Harrelson, Cockrel and essay winner to movie premiere
1997 | Parents protest against Woody Harrelson's scheduled second visit
1997 | Court finds statute "overbroad" after Harrelson charges are dismissed
1997 | Woody Harrelson makes second visit to Simpsonville Elementary
1997 | Parents want Donna Cockrel fired after second Woody Harrelson hemp presentation
1997 | School Evaluation Claims Donna Cockrel Fails to Meet Performance Requirements
1997 | Kentucky General Assembly Hears Testimony On Hemp
1997 | Donna Cockrel is fired from Simpsonville Elementary
1997 | Woody Harrelson issues statement regarding Donna Cockrel's termination
1998 | Cockrel files suit against Shelby County schools
1998 | Farmers sue to overturn ban on hemp
2000 |Â Kentucky Supreme Court rules no distinction between hemp and marijuana
2000 | Woody Harrelson acquitted of hemp charges
2001 | Court reverses decision in Donna Cockrel vs. Shelby County schools
2003 | Donna Cockrel receives $70,000 settlement
---
Sources
http://www.hempworld.com/hemp-cyberfarm_com/htms/countries/usa/kentucky.html