Will medical marijuana be legalized in Kentucky in 2023?

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — In 2020 and 2022, the Kentucky Home handed a invoice to legalize medical marijuana. However each occasions, the invoice bumped into hassle in Kentucky’s socially conservative Senate.

So, will lawmakers make one other try in 2023? Sen. Stephen West says sure, however this time, the invoice will begin off within the Senate.

He plans to refile the invoice he filed again in 2021.

“There’s loads within the invoice. It’s a 150-page invoice,” stated West. “However the backside line is I consider it’s time in Kentucky to have medical marijuana. The positives far outweigh the negatives.”

West says for him, medical marijuana legalization is a “no-brainer.” However previously, the trouble has struggled within the Senate. Opponents like Senate President Robert Stivers and Majority Flooring Chief Damon Thayer have voiced concern previously. However in January, six new Republican senators will be part of the GOP caucus. Whereas West says he would not have a vote depend but, he believes the invoice’s possibilities would possibly enhance.

“I believe it’ll ultimately move,” West added. “I don’t know if that is the 12 months or not.”

West worries opponents will use the managed medical marijuana trials occurring on the College of Kentucky as a motive to carry off on legalization.

“One of many large issues that can hinder its progress this 12 months is that the concept is being studied on the College of Kentucky and I consider the outcomes of that research received’t come out for one more 12 months or two. I believe it’s two years,” stated West. “So, the opponents of the invoice will say we’ve waited this lengthy, let’s wait a pair extra years and see what occurs with the outcomes of these research.”

Within the meantime, beginning this January, some Kentuckians will be capable of herald and use medical marijuana from different states. Gov. Andy Beshear signed an government order permitting Kentuckians with sure medical situations to entry medical marijuana.

Medical situations embrace most cancers, a number of sclerosis, post-traumatic stress dysfunction, muscular dystrophy, or a terminal sickness.

Different situations to permit using medical marijuana in Kentucky embrace:

• Hashish have to be purchased in the USA of America in a state the place the acquisition is authorized and controlled. Kentuckians might want to maintain their receipt.
• The quantity an individual should purchase and possess at anybody time should not exceed 8 ounces, which is the distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony in Kentucky.
• Every Kentuckian should even have a certification from a licensed healthcare supplier that exhibits that the person has been identified with no less than certainly one of 21 medical situations. A replica of the certification have to be retained.

“Kentuckians affected by persistent and terminal situations are going to have the ability to get the therapy they want with out residing in concern of a misdemeanor,” Gov. Beshear stated. “With 37 states already legalizing medical hashish and 90% of Kentucky adults supporting it, I’m doing what I can to offer entry and reduction to those that meet sure situations and want it to higher take pleasure in their life, with out ache.”

Nonetheless, Beshear says this order isn’t an alternative to laws to completely legalize medical hashish.