ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996               TAG: 9606190030
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 7    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: the people column

THE PEOPLE COLUMN

Woody Harrelson's quest to get convicted of a marijuana charge so he can challenge a Kentucky state law was made a little easier.

Harrelson was charged earlier this month with cultivation of marijuana after planting four industrial hemp seeds in a plot of land he bought for the purpose.

Beattyville, Ky., District Judge Ralph McClanahan II on Monday amended the charge to possession, an offense prosecutor Tom Jones said is easier to prosecute.

Harrelson wants to be convicted so he can challenge the law that makes no distinction between industrial hemp and the illegal drug.

Harrelson faces an Oct. 25 trial. His lawyer pleaded innocent on his behalf.

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