Kentucky 2026 Legislative Session: New Cannabis Bills Introduced

#GA26
Written By Kentucky NORML

The 2026 Kentucky General Assembly convened with three new bills related to cannabis and health care that warrant attention from advocates and Kentuckians interested in sensible cannabis policy reform.

For your reference, links to the official bill pages are linked below:

HB 198: Decriminalization of Personal Use Cannabis

HB 198 would make possession of a personal use quantity of cannabis exempt from civil or criminal penalty under Kentucky law. The bill also includes:

  • Definitions for “cannabis,” “personal use quantity of cannabis,” and related terms.

  • Changes to existing statutes to exempt personal use possession and certain paraphernalia from penalties.

  • Provisions to exclude personal use quantities from cannabis stamp tax.

  • Creation of a process for retroactive expungement of certain cannabis convictions.

If passed, this bill would represent a major shift in Kentucky’s approach to cannabis possession, reducing needless arrests and the lifelong collateral consequences of simple possession charges.

Take Action on HB 198:
Kentucky legislators need to hear from you. Your voice matters in urging support for decriminalization that:

  • Ends criminal penalties for adults with small amounts of cannabis.

  • Opens the door for expungement of past convictions.

  • Reduces racial disparities in enforcement.

Contact your state representative today and tell them:
“Support HB 198 to decriminalize personal use cannabis and expand expungement.”

HB 199: Constitutional Protection for Adults’ Cannabis Rights

Summary:
HB 199 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee that Kentuckians aged 21 and older have the right to:

  • Possess, use, buy, or sell up to 1 ounce of cannabis.

  • Cultivate, harvest, and store up to five cannabis plants for personal use.

The amendment would reserve to the Kentucky General Assembly the authority to regulate production, processing, and commercial sale of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, while placing this right in the state constitution and directing ballot procedures.

This bill would take cannabis reform further than any previous effort in Kentucky by embedding adult use rights directly into the state constitution.

Take Action on HB 199:
Constitutional reform requires public support and legislative champions. Reach out to Kentucky House members and let them know you support:

  • A constitutional right for adults to responsibly possess and grow cannabis.

  • Meaningful reform that empowers voters while enabling regulation by the General Assembly.

Ask your representative to co-sponsor and advance HB 199 this session.

SB 18: Technical Amendments to Podiatry & Medicinal Cannabis Definitions

Summary:
Senate Bill 18, introduced January 6, 2026, is a professional licensure bill relating to the practice of podiatry. Among other changes to scope of practice and supervision rules, it would:

  • Amend Kentucky Revised Statutes to add podiatrists to the definition of “medicinal cannabis practitioner” and include the State Board of Podiatry among licensing authorities.

This bill does not directly alter broader cannabis policy but may affect how certain medical professionals are authorized to certify or support patients under Kentucky’s medical cannabis program.

What This Means for Kentucky Cannabis Policy

Kentucky remains among the states without a legalized adult-use market. Medical cannabis has been legal since 2025, but recreational use continues to carry civil or criminal penalties for many Kentuckians.

The introduction of HB 198 and HB 199 signals a renewed effort this session to shift enforcement priorities and expand adult use rights. These reforms will require organized advocacy and constituent outreach to gain traction in a legislature that has historically been resistant to comprehensive cannabis policy change.

Visit the bill pages above to identify your legislators and send them clear, respectful messages urging support.

Support Our Work

Our advocacy depends on grassroots engagement and sustained civic action. If you believe Kentucky needs fair, equitable cannabis policy reform, here’s how you can continue to support the movement:

  • Subscribe to our updates for alerts on committee hearings and votes.

  • Share this blog post with your networks to expand awareness.

  • Donate to help us mobilize volunteers and run education campaigns.

  • Follow us on social media for real-time updates and alerts.

Together, we can build a more just and rational cannabis policy in Kentucky.

Kentucky NORML https://kynorml.org
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