Tuesday’s approval by the Kentucky Senate Committee of a bill that legalizes medical marijuana in Kentucky was Tuesday.
In an 8-3 vote, the Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee approved the legislation of Sen. Stephen West (R), and 12 other senators. With just days remaining in session, it now heads to the Senate Floor.
West stated that he didn’t plan to get into medical marijuana, but that he felt moved by the stories of constituents.
Senator John Schickel (R), the chair of the committee, has only recently agreed to hold a vote on the proposed cannabis reform proposal if the sponsor assured that it had sufficient support.
The chair said to West that “It’s been a long journey to this committee” and thanked West for his vigilance on Tuesday. I have worked with you and others who have carried this bill for many years. You are an example for us all of class and how to handle a controversial issue that people passionately care about in both directions.
Before approving the bill the committee adopted a substitute measure that changed a number provisions.
Here’s What SB47 Would Do:
Patients may be eligible to use cannabis if they suffer from cancer, severe pain, epilepsy or multiple sclerosis, as well as muscle spasms, spasticity, chronic nausea, cyclical vomiting, or any other medical condition that the Kentucky Center for Cannabis considers appropriate.
Although smoking marijuana would be illegal, patients could still obtain raw cannabis for vaporization.
It is not allowed to grow vegetables at home.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services would oversee the program and issue business licenses.
The regulations would have to be in place by January 1, 2025.
Last year, the House passed a legalization bill for medical cannabis. However, they failed to pass it in the Senate. Advocates are now working on the Senate side of this session.
Damon Thayer (R), Senate Majority Floor Leader, has been a major obstacle. He’s opposed broad medical cannabis policy reform and argued that it’s a fast track to legalizing adult-use cannabis. Recently, however, he said that he wouldn’t stand in the way of the bill passing if it had enough support. On Tuesday, he voted in favor of the bill in committee. He said that the bill’s “narowly-focused approach” won his support.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), called upon the legislature legalize medical marijuana “this session” during the January State of the Commonwealth speech. He stated that it was an essential reform for the state in order to “treat people right”.
After the governor had signed two executive orders in November allowing patients to legally possess up to eight ounces medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries in other states. The order also regulates the sale 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 of a advisory committee on medical marijuana. 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 and grow cannabis to other states.
The House of Representatives approved a bill last week to regulate sales of delta-8 THC products.
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.
Congressional Bill To Punish Illegal Marijuana Plants – Sponsors Say
Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Kentucky Senate Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill was first published on Marijuana Moment.
