Ernest served as an important bridge between the sitcoms lost in the network TV rural purge of the early 1970s ( Petticoat Junction , The Beverly Hillbillies , The Real McCoys ) and country-fried comedy favorites of the 90s and 2000s like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, helping to define what country looked like for a generation
Since then, local industry has thrived, contributing $140 million in retail sales while operating under state supervision
"We've been recycling easily recycled materials--like soft-drink cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and paper--ever since the plant opened in 1999," Morgan said
But while this might reduce cancer risk, the long-term effects of its other chemicals and flavorings are not fully understood
For one, while cannabis is legal for recreational and medical use in some states, it's still illegal in many parts of the country