The Governor of Kentucky has urged lawmakers to expand the medical marijuana law of the state by adding new conditions. This comes as the Administration proposes a set of initial regulations for the implementation of the program.
In a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear, (D), announced that two independent advisory committees he appointed unanimously recommended that the legislature add over a dozen additional conditions to that would qualify patients for medical marijuana under a law that he signed last.
This is an important step. He said that while the legislation mentioned several qualifying conditions it left out others. The expanded list included “very serious medical conditions which we believe – but more importantly, that all these medical groups, and advisory groups, unanimously agree – should become a part the program.”
Patients with any of the seven conditions listed below are eligible: cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), post-traumatic disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, epilepsy and chronic nausea.
The Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Workgroup and Board of Physicians and Advisors suggested adding: ALS and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as Crohn’s, wasting syndromes, severe arthritis and fibromyalgia. They also recommended HIV/AIDS and glaucoma. One group also recommended that hepatitis C be added.
Beshear stated that according to his office, 437,000 additional Kentuckians will be eligible for the expanded list. Later in the briefing, he added that the administration had been speaking with legislators and the sponsor of a bill that he had signed last year creating the medical cannabis program to move forward with reforms.
The governor also unveiled regulations that will be used to establish rules and guidelines for medical cannabis programs that are being proposed by his administration. These include rules for growers, processors, producers as well as dispensaries, transportation, advertising, testing, etc.
He said: “These regulations ensure that Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program is safe and accessible to all patients, as well as ensuring that our communities are secure.”
Beshear stated that additional regulations regarding the application for medical cannabis business licences would be “issued” in the “coming weeks and months”. He also noted he expected lawmakers to “tweak” the law to include the timeline of licensing.
He said, “We have had some initial conversations about that and received good feedback.” “We have the impression that everyone wants it to work.”
The medical marijuana program, as it currently stands, is scheduled to launch in 2025.
The governor also discussed a partnership with Tyler Technologies and Metrc, which will facilitate registration of patients. He warned the administration that it is aware that some businesses are currently selling medical marijuana cards which are “not genuine and most likely fraud.”
Beshear said that the program was ultimately about health care. He also briefly highlighted the bipartisan effort that went into the legalization of medical marijuana during his State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday. It’s about giving relief to Kentuckians who have severe medical conditions.
Beshear is a strong advocate for medical cannabis legalization. He has used his executive authority, while lawmakers were working on the issue, to unilaterally implement reforms.
was responsible for forming the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Workgroup, which was involved in recommending new qualifying conditions.
A previous executive order that he issued in 2022 allowed patients who met certain criteria, such as a diagnosis of cancer or epilepsy, to possess eight ounces (or less) of medical cannabis obtained legally from dispensaries located in other states. The order also regulates the sale of delta-8-THC products.
The governor outlined plans for advancing the issue of medical cannabis administratively by 2022. He criticized the Senate for failing to listen to the voters’ will and for refusing to give a bill passed by the House this year a hearing.
Beshear said that he also supports broader legalization of marijuana in 2020. He stated that “it’s time we join so many other States in doing the right things.” He added that Kentucky Farmers would be well positioned to Grow and Sell Cannabis to Other States.
This week, a Democratic Kentucky legislator filed legislation that would allow adults 21 years and older to possess, use and cultivate marijuana. However, it did not include commercial sales components.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The first time Marijuana Moment published the article Kentucky governor pushes lawmakers to approve more medical marijuana qualifying conditions while unveiling first program rules.
