For many Kentuckians being charged with possession of marijuana can affect their life in a number of ways. Now that the state has legalized medical cannabis, it’s reignited calls by advocates to automatically wipe some charges from people’s criminal records.

Over 300,000 Kentuckians have been charged with violating state marijuana laws since 2002, according to an analysis provided by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

Over 90 percent of those charged were accused of violating marijuana possession laws – a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 45 days in jail and a criminal record. About 59 percent of those charged with violating state marijuana laws were convicted.

Issue 2 passed in Ohio, which will legalize recreational marijuana in the state. There are now many Kentuckians eager to travel across the Ohio River to take advantage of the new law.

New regulations on delta-8 and other hemp-derived substances have come into effect in Kentucky as of August 1, 2023, following the passage of House Bill 544. The bill, which introduces new age, shipping, and packaging rules, is seen as a significant step towards ensuring the safety and regulation of legal hemp-derived products sold in the state.

By Karen O’Keefe, Director of State Policies, Marijuana Policy Project, Jaime Zerbe, Chief of Staff, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and Lauren Bratcher, Deputy Director, Kentucky NORML

A new FOX 56/Emerson College poll found the majority of likely Kentucky Republican primary voters are against legalizing recreational marijuana. Of the respondents, the majority (50.2%) do not think it should be legal in the state. Meanwhile, 33.8% said they support recreational marijuana use, and 16.1% were still undecided.

The Kentucky General Assembly legalized medical marijuana this year, but patients will have to wait until 2025 before they can get it in the state. “Most importantly, we just want everybody to remember to be patient,” Lauren Bratcher, deputy director of Kentucky NORML told FOX 56.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday signed a bill to legalize medical marijuana, making the Bluegrass State the 38th in the nation to approve the medicinal use of cannabis for patients with serious health conditions. The Democratic governor, who had repeatedly called on lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana, signed the measure, Senate Bill 47, at a ceremony in Frankfort on Friday morning

Earlier today, Kentucky became the 38th state to legalize medical cannabis when Governor Andy Beshear (D) signed Senate Bill 47 into law. The victory follows failed attempts to pass similar legislation in 2020 and 2022.

When Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear indicated last May he would be issuing an executive order on legalizing medical cannabis, leaders in the state’s General Assembly accused him of overstepping the constitutional separation of powers.