Kentucky lawmakers have introduced new marijuana legislation, with the bill number HB 420. If passed, it would legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older, though few expect the proposal to get through in the state’s Republican-controlled legislature this session.
According to HB 420, which was introduced by Rep. Rachel Roberts on Tuesday, it would legalize marijuana, and license various business types including cultivators and processors. Wholesale and retail purchases would be subject to a 9 percent excise fee, while local governments can impose an additional licensing fee of up 5 percent.
The number 420 is of course of great significance to cannabis reformers, as April 20th is the unofficial day of celebration of the plant. It is not known if Roberts waited to file the bill in order to receive the number HB420.
The Kentucky bill proposes that consumer purchases of marijuana at licensed retailers will begin July 1, 2026, although some provisions would take effect next year.
The 103-page document would also prohibit employers from discriminating against employees who use cannabis legally outside of the workplace, as long as this does not have a negative impact on their performance.
The Public Protection Cabinet of the state would create a newly created regulatory board to oversee and license the new industry.
A petition would allow people with misdemeanor convictions of cannabis possession to be expunged, as well as those who have been convicted for paraphernalia related to marijuana, such a possession, delivery, or manufacturing.
The first use of tax revenue would be to cover administrative expenses. Then, 30 percent of the tax revenue would go to a Social Impact Council, which would then fund educational programs and scholarships for youth. This would help address the “impact of economic divestment and violence, and the historical overuse criminal justice responses in response to individual and community needs”, according to Courier Journal , the first to report on the bill.
Tax revenues would also be used to pay for programs of job training and reentry for those from communities that have been disproportionately affected by the drug war.
HB420 has only one more sponsor, Keturah Heron (D).
Nima Kulikarni (D) introduced a more limited measure of legalization, HB 72 earlier this month. It would end all penalties for adults 21 years and older who possess and use marijuana, and allow them to grow small amounts of cannabis at home. Commercial sales would be prohibited.
Both legalization measures were referred to House Committee on Committees. HB 72 has not been acted upon since its introduction on January 2.
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Kulkarni had introduced a bill last year that would let voters decide if they wanted to legalize home cultivation, use and possession. The legislator had previously introduced a proposal to legalize marijuana for non-commercial purposes.
The state is currently implementing a medical cannabis system that Gov. Andy Beshear , a Democrat, signed the law into effect in March. Regulators posted the first proposed rules this month, but it isn’t anticipated that the program will launch before 2025.
The Governor has called on lawmakers to expand medical marijuana. He announced earlier this month that the two independent advisory groups he appointed had unanimously recommended the addition of over a dozen conditions for patients to qualify for medical cannabis.
Beshear launched a website in October to track the implementation for the program. He formed a group to examine cannabis policy in Kentucky and the rest of the country.
According to the governor, the site contains information which could be useful for “prospective providers, growers and physicians [nurse practitioners] as well as others who are interested in the program.”
In a previous executive order signed by him in 2022, he stated that Kentuckians who have medical conditions qualifying for medical cannabis can continue to get relief from medical marijuana by traveling out of the state and carefully reading all conditions.
This order allows patients meeting certain criteria, such as cancer or epilepsy diagnoses, to possess medical cannabis obtained legally from dispensaries located in other states. He also approved an executive order that regulates the sale of delta-8-THC products.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission held two public meetings last year on a proposal that would channel at least $42,000,000 in state funds to ibogaine researchers for the next six-year period, and investigate whether and how ibogaine assisted therapy can help treat opioid addiction. However, this proposal seems to have stalled after leadership changes within the commission.
Beshear is a proponent of medical marijuana, and he has expressed support for marijuana legalization. He has said in the past, “It’s time we join so many other States in doing the right things.” He has also pointed out that Kentucky farmers are already major hemp producers and would be in a good position to sell cannabis to other state.
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The post New Kentucky Marijuana Bill – HB 420 – Would Legalize It for Adults But Faces An Uphill Battle in GOP-Controlled Legislation first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
