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The Kentucky House of Representatives has approved a Senate-passed medical marijuana legalization bill, sending it to the governor to be signed into law.<\/p>\n
Shortly after moving through the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee earlier on Thursday, the full chamber approved the legislation from Sen. Stephen West (R)<\/a> in a 66-33 vote.<\/p>\n Gov. Andy Beshear (D) strongly supports the reform, and he rallied citizens to pressure their state representatives<\/a> to pass the bill earlier this week.<\/p>\n He plans to sign the bill into law on Friday.<\/p>\n Today the General Assembly finally took action and passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis \u2013 something the majority of Kentuckians support. I am thankful this progress has been made, and I will proudly sign this bill into law tomorrow. 2\/2<\/p>\n \u2014 Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 30, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n With that, Kentucky will become the 38th state in the U.S. with a comprehensive medical cannabis law.<\/p>\n Ahead of the House vote, Rep. Jason Nemes (R), who has led the charge on medical marijuana in the chamber for the past several sessions, made the case that the legislation is relatively restrictive compared to programs in other states, saying that \u201cthis is a no smoke bill, no self grow and takes a bonafide relationship between the patient and the doctor or the nurse practitioner.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawmakers \u201cwant to make sure that we go slow and deliberate and get this thing right,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll also obviously watch the administrative process as this unfolds to make sure that everything is in order.\u201d<\/p>\n Rep. Daniel Grossberg (D) also spoke in support of the bill, saying that \u201cmany people continue to oppose the legalization of medical marijuana due to misconceptions and misinformation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome worry it will lead to increased drug abuse or that it will be a gateway drug. However, the reality is that medical marijuana has been legalized in over 30 states, and in those states opioid use has decreased not increased,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n We just legalized medical marijuana in KY. #SB47<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/aAlAGeVckE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Daniel Grossberg (@grossberg4ky) March 30, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n \u201cThe legalization of medical marijuana could be an economic boon to Kentucky,\u201d Grossberg continued. \u201cIt would create jobs in the cannabis industry and generate tax revenue for our state. We have an opportunity to be at the forefront of this growing industry and we shouldn\u2019t let it pass us by.\u201d<\/p>\n Advocates have been optimistic about the bill\u2019s prospects given that the House has advanced similar measures in past sessions, only to have them stall in the Senate. Things proved different this year, however, with the other body taking the lead in advancing the issue.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been a long time coming,\u201d West, the legislation\u2019s Senate sponsor, told the House panel on Thursday, saying that there have been \u201chundreds and hundreds of changes on the bill\u201d as lawmakers have considered the reform over several years.<\/p>\n West said earlier this month during a Senate meeting that after initially being skeptical of the issue that he\u2019s \u201cnow convinced that medical marijuana, provided to our citizens through a tightly-regulated system, can provide some important relief to our constituents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time for Kentucky to join the other 37 states in the United States that allow medical marijuana as an option for their citizens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A lot of Kentuckians will finally be getting relief soon\u2026..legally. Medical cannabis has passed and will be signed into law by @GovAndyBeshear<\/a> tomorrow morning. https:\/\/t.co\/yAAbzCqREr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Al Gentry (@KYAlGentry) March 30, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n Here\u2019s what\u00a0SB 47<\/a> would accomplish:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Patients with recommendations from doctors or advanced nurse practitioners could qualify to use cannabis if they have cancer, severe pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity, chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting, post-traumatic stress disorder or any other medical condition or disease which the Kentucky Center for Cannabis deems appropriate.<\/p>\n Smoking marijuana would be prohibited, but patients could still access raw cannabis for vaporization.<\/p>\n Home cultivation would not be allowed.<\/p>\n Patients could possess a 30-day supply of cannabis in their residence and a 10-day supply on their person.<\/p>\n Patient registration would only last up to 60 days, and the initial visit must be in person.<\/p>\n There would be a 35 percent THC cap on flower marijuana products and 70 percent cap for concentrates. Edibles could not exceed 10 milligrams per serving.<\/p>\n Medical cannabis would be exempt from sales and excise taxes.<\/p>\n The Cabinet for Health and Family Services would be charged with overseeing the program, including setting regulations and issuing business licenses.<\/p>\n License categories include three tiers of cultivators as well as producers, processors, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries.<\/p>\n Local governments could opt out of allowing cannabis businesses to operate, but citizens could petition to have their municipalities opt back in.<\/p>\n A nine-member Board of Physicians and Advisors would be created consisting of seven physicians and two advanced nurse practitioners.<\/p>\n Regulations would need to be finalized by January 1, 2024.<\/p>\n The state Board of Physicians and State Board of Nursing would be responsible for certifying practitioners to recommend cannabis.<\/p>\n House members blocked consideration of a floor amendment on Thursday that would have restricted available forms of medical cannabis, prevented regulators from adding new qualifying conditions without approval from lawmakers and made other changes to the bill.<\/p>\n \u2014 The House\u00a0passed a medical cannabis legalization bill last year<\/a>, and in a prior session, but they died with out action in the Senate. That\u2019s why advocates started on the Senate side this session.<\/p>\n One obstacle for the reform has been Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R), who\u2019s\u00a0steadfastly opposed broad medical cannabis policy reform<\/a>, arguing that it\u2019s a fast-track to full adult-use legalization.<\/p>\n More recently, however, he said that he would not stand in the way if the bill had enough support to pass. And this month he voted to support the bill in committee, saying that its \u201cnarrowly focused approach\u201d won him over. He also backed the measure on the Senate floor.<\/p>\n Gov. Beshear’s executive action paved the way for medical cannabis in KY, giving many Kentuckians safe and effective relief for the first time.<\/p>\n Now, thanks to @AndyBeshearKY<\/a> and tireless advocates from across KY, the legislature has finally sent a legalization bill to his desk. pic.twitter.com\/88cHbSwHqv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kentucky Democrats (@KyDems) March 30, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n The governor called on the legislature\u00a0to legalize medical cannabis \u201cthis session\u201d<\/a>\u00a0during his State of the Commonwealth speech in January, saying that it\u2019s an essential reform for the state to make sure it is \u201ctreating people right.\u201d<\/p>\n The speech came after Beshear\u00a0signed a pair of executive orders in November<\/a>, allowing patients who meet certain criteria to possess up to eight ounces of medical cannabis legally obtained from dispensaries in other states and also regulate the sale of delta-8 THC products.<\/p>\n Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Quarles, the state\u2019s current agriculture commissioner, recently said that\u00a0he\u2019d work with lawmakers to enact medical cannabis legalization<\/a>\u00a0within his first year in office if elected.<\/p>\n Advocates have\u00a0stepped up their efforts to pressure lawmakers<\/a>\u00a0to enact reform this session, with groups like Kentucky Moms for Medical Cannabis (KMMC) and Kentucky NORML making their position clear that the issue has stalled for too long in the Bluegrass State.<\/p>\n Last year,\u00a0the governor released a report<\/a>\u00a0from a\u00a0medical marijuana advisory committee that he formed<\/a>, and he said in September that he would be taking their findings into account as he continues to consider executive actions for reform.<\/p>\n The governor\u00a0previewed plans to advance the issue<\/a>\u00a0of medical marijuana administratively last year, criticizing the Senate for failing to heed the will of voters and for \u201cobstructing\u201d reform by refusing to even give a hearing to a House-passed bill this year.<\/p>\n Beshear also voiced support for broader marijuana legalization in 2020, saying that it\u2019s \u201ctime we joined so many other states in doing the right thing.\u201d He added that Kentucky farmers would be well positioned to\u00a0grow and sell cannabis to other states<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also month, the Kentucky legislature\u00a0sent a bill to the governor\u2019s desk<\/a>\u00a0that would regulate\u00a0the sale of delta-8 THC products<\/a>. Beshear signed that measure into law.<\/p>\n In January, a lawmaker filed legislation for the 2023 session that would\u00a0put a marijuana legalization referendum on the ballot<\/a>\u00a0for voters to decide on, but it has not advanced.<\/p>\n Washington Poised To Prohibit Pre-Employment Discrimination For Marijuana Use Following House Approval Of Senate Bill<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n Photo courtesy of Max Pixel<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Kentucky House Passes Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill, Sending It To Pro-Reform Governor\u2019s Desk<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The Kentucky House of Representatives has approved a Senate-passed medical marijuana legalization bill, sending it to the governor to be signed into law. Shortly after moving through the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee earlier on Thursday, the full chamber approved the legislation from Sen. Stephen West (R) inContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":63234,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81,126],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63233"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63233"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63235,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63233\/revisions\/63235"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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\nRead More: Kentucky House Passes Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill, Sending It To Pro-Reform Governor\u2019s Desk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"