Holsclaw's claim that Moffett backs legalizing marijuana false

The statement: Phil Moffett "certainly is for legalizing marijuana."

— Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobbie Holsclaw in a March 16, 2011, interview on WHAS-AM's Mandy Connell show in Louisville.

The ruling: False

The facts: Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw is facing Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Senate President David Williams in this May's Republican primary election for governor.

On a Louisville radio show this week, Holsclaw was asked how she differs from Moffett. She said Moffett is for legalizing marijuana.

Moffett said that is not true. He appeared on the show the next day and said he has never supported the legalization of pot.

He noted that he is for "the re-legalization of industrial hemp" but not marijuana.

In an Associated Press article in September, Moffett said he's willing to "go to the carpet" to legalize the production of industrial hemp in Kentucky, but stressed that he does not favor legalization of marijuana.

Industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana, is used to make paper, lotion and other products. It is illegal because it contains trace amounts of the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol that makes marijuana intoxicating.

There is a difference between growing hemp for commercial products and for smoking.

"Phil Moffett supports ending the federal prohibition on growing industrial hemp, a very beneficial agricultural product with a great many practical applications, none of which has anything to do with illicit drugs," said Moffett campaign manager David Adams.

Sarah Reidy, campaign manager for Holsclaw, said that "discussion on cannabis products distracts from the major issues facing our commonwealth."

Sources: ■ Sept. 4, 2010, "Republican candidate Moffett supports industrial hemp; Louisville businessman opposes legalizing pot," Lexington Herald-Leader.■ Mandy Connell show on Louisville's WHAS-AM station, March 16 and 17, 2011.■ E-mails from David Adams and Sarah Reidy.

This story was originally published March 18, 2011 at 7:32 AM with the headline "Holsclaw's claim that Moffett backs legalizing marijuana false."