Kentucky: Legislature Approves Medical Cannabis Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kentucky: Legislature Approves Medical Cannabis Bill 26-11

Kentucky Becomes the 38th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis
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Frankfort, KY - Kentucky House and Senate lawmakers have approved legislation, Senate Bill 47, establishing a medical cannabis access program for qualified patients with an authorization from their physician.

The legislation institutes a governing body to regulate medical cannabis use and distribution in the Bluegrass State. Patients will be permitted to have a 30-day supply of medical cannabis at their residence and a 10-day supply on their person.

Kentucky NORML Deputy Director Lauren Bratcher praised lawmakers’ advancement of the legislation. “There is substantial evidence that marijuana-derived medications can and are providing major health benefits. This new law takes an important step toward providing relief to patients living with extraordinary pain and illness. I'm heartened that the Legislature understands the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis. Kentucky can now benefit from the same reduction in opioid fatalities observed by states that have already implemented medical cannabis laws”

The bills provide certain protections for patients and their caregivers, and it makes allowances for student patients to access cannabis at school. Patients will not be considered under the influence solely based on the presence of THC metabolites. The legislation does not allow for inhaled cannabis nor does it allow for patients to home cultivate their own cannabis.

The measure is expected to pass concurrently through the Kentucky House and then action from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is expected to sign the measure into law.

Once enacted, Kentucky will be the 38th state to regulate medical cannabis production and distribution.

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About Kentucky NORML

Since its founding in 1970, NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose cannabis prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting cannabis consumers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who use cannabis responsibly.

Kentucky NORML, the Kentucky State Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), has been working for reform in Kentucky since 2017 thanks to organic grassroots support. Kentucky NORML is a statewide, non-profit organization powered by the continued generosity of its members, sponsors, and donors.

Kentucky NORML fights to reform state cannabis laws through the elected legislatures;  serves as an informational resource to the media on cannabis-related stories; and serves under the umbrella of a national network of citizen activists committed to ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing cannabis.

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Media Contact: 
Lauren Morgan Bratcher | Deputy Director
502-654-2329
lauren@kynorml.org