Concerns around HB 829 arise during cannabis convention in Frankfort

This article originally published on WDKY by Hannah Jackson

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Recent legislative developments have raised concerns among advocates for patient access to medical cannabis.

The advocates are especially concerned about House Bill 829, which would allow private schools and school nurses to deny prescribed cannabis to students. Advocates said that hinders the program before it even gets off the ground.

“We hold it by the capitol in session during such every year so that we can access our regulators and our legislature legislators. We want them to come and learn that we want to be a resource for them,” said Lauren Bratcher, deputy director of Kentucky NORML. “And so, it’s important that we provide that education for them, but also to the public and to make sure that they’re accessing correct information by knowledgeable, you know, individuals.”

This conference aims to foster discussion on the evolving landscape of hemp and the cannabis industry throughout the Commonwealth.

Attendees had the opportunity to listen to speakers, explore new products, and network with people in the field.

“Essentially, I’m a historian and there is a lot of mythology and misinformation surrounding why cannabis was made illegal. And so, I’m doing a presentation about the origins of reefer madness and dispelling the notion of some sort of industrial conspiracy that detracts from the actual argument, said Dan Isensein, a convention speaker. “I really like to be a truth merchant. I don’t like all the mythology. I don’t like conspiracy theories. I want people to understand that when we talk about things truthfully, that’s when change happens.”

HB 829 could come up for a vote next week, so organizers of this conference say the timing couldn’t have been better.

“We believe in dealing with evidence-based solutions. We believe in using our facts and our research to make policy decisions as well. So it’s very important that people understand where to access that information instead of just arguing and giving opinions without real facts. That’s the best way to talk to anybody about cannabis,” Bratcher added.