LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky's agriculture commissioner says a legal review reinforces the need for state legislation to regulate industrial hemp if the federal government legalizes the crop.

The review by Attorney General Jack Conway's office says hemp would essentially be unregulated in Kentucky if the federal government ends its ban of the crop but provides no regulatory oversight. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said Thursday the findings underscore the need for a Senate-passed bill to license hemp growers if the crop returns.

The review was requested by Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a skeptic of the hemp bill championed by Comer.

Hemp is banned as a controlled substance related to marijuana.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the opinion as the result of an open-records request.