Kentucky’s governor has signed a bill legalizing marijuana. This makes Kentucky the 38th state in the U.S. that has enacted the reform.
The legislation of Sen. Stephen West (R- ) was approved by the House just one day before the governor. Andy Beshear, a Democratic senator, fulfilled his promise to sign the bill into law Friday. The governor had rallied citizens to press their state representatives into passing the bill.
Beshear stated that far too many Americans face the challenge of living with chronic or terminal illnesses like cancer or Kentuckians who have epilepsy, Parkinson’s, seizures or other neurological conditions. These people want and deserve safe, effective treatment.
Advocates are optimistic about the prospects for medical marijuana this year. Similar measures had been introduced by the House in previous sessions but were rejected by the Senate. However, this year, the other body took the initiative to advance the issue.
Addiction was one of the main reasons I sponsored this bill. This bill has been adopted by other states, which have seen a reduction of opioid use and a reduction in drug addiction in the state. West, who sponsored the bill, spoke at a press conference Friday with the governor. “If you haven’t noticed, Kentucky has a serious addiction problem. I believe Senate Bill 47, medical marijuana, can help.
Rep. Jason Nemes (R), who fought medical cannabis bills in the House during several sessions, stated that “there are thousands and even thousands of Kentuckians just wanting to be, and feel better–and these will help them.”
Here’s What SB47 Will Do:
Patients who have been referred by a doctor or advanced nurse practitioner can be allowed to use cannabis if they suffer from cancer, severe pain or epilepsy, multiples sclerosis, neuropathy, muscle spasms, spasticity, chronic nausea, cyclical vomiting, or any other condition or disease that the Kentucky Center for Cannabis considers appropriate.
Although smoking marijuana will be banned, patients can still obtain raw cannabis for vaporization.
It is not allowed to grow vegetables at home.
Patients can have a 30-day supply in their home and a 10-day supply on the patient’s person.
The registration process for patients will take up to 60 calendar days. Patients must visit the first appointment in person.
A 35 percent THC limit will apply to flower marijuana products, and a 70 percent THC limit for concentrates. The maximum amount of edibles is 10 mg per serving.
Excise and sales taxes will not apply to medical cannabis.
The program will be overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will also set regulations and issue business licenses.
There are three levels of license categories: producers, processors and dispensaries.
While local governments may opt not to allow cannabis businesses to operate in their communities, citizens have the right to petition for them to be allowed to do so.
A Board of Physicians and Advisors of nine members will be established, consisting of seven doctors and two advanced nurses practitioners.
By January 1, 2024, regulations must be in place.
State Board of Nursing and State Board of Physicians will be responsible for certifying cannabis-recommendation practitioners.
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Last year the House passed a legalization bill for medical cannabis. However, they were not adopted by the Senate in a previous session. Advocates began this session on the Senate’s side.
Damon Thayer, Senate Majority Floor Leader (R), has been a major obstacle to the reform. He’s opposed broad medical cannabis policy reform and argued that it’s a fast track to full adult-use legalization.
He said more recently that he wouldn’t stand in the way of the bill passing if it had enough support. He voted in favor of the bill in committee this month, claiming that his “narrowly focused approach to the issue” won him over. He also supported the Senate floor measure.
During his January State of the Commonwealth speech, the governor called upon the legislature to legalize medicinal cannabis “this session”. He stated that this is an important reform for the state in order to “treat people right.”
After Beshear had signed two executive orders in November that allowed patients to legally possess up to eight ounces medical cannabis from dispensaries across the country. They also regulate the sale and purchase of delta-8 THC products.
Ryan Quarles (Republican gubernatorial Candidat) recently stated that he would work with legislators to legalize medical cannabis in his first year of office.
Advocates have intensified their efforts to press lawmakers to enact change this session. Groups like Kentucky Moms for Medical Cannabis and Kentucky NORML made it clear that reform has stalled in the Bluegrass State for too long.
The governor published a report from the medical cannabis advisory committee he established last year. He stated in September that he would take their findings into consideration as he considers executive actions to reform.
The governor showed plans to advance the issue medical marijuana administratively last summer, and criticized the Senate for failing the voters’ will and refusing to give a hearing to any House-passed bill.
Beshear supported a wider marijuana legalization in 2020 and said that Kentucky farmers would be well-positioned to sell cannabis to other states.
The Kentucky legislature also sent a bill to Governor, which would regulate sales of delta-8 THC products. Beshear signed the bill into law.
A lawmaker had filed legislation in January for the session 2023 that would place a referendum on marijuana legalization on the ballot. However, it has not progressed.
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Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Kentucky Governor Signs a Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
