PRESS RELEASE - URGENT CLARIFICATION ON CANNABIS LAWS IN KENTUCKY

Media Contact:
Lauren Morgan Bratcher
Deputy Director | Kentucky NORML
lauren@kynorml.org

​Feb 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

URGENT CLARIFICATION ON CANNABIS LAWS IN KENTUCKY​

The Kentucky Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Kentucky NORML) is issuing a clarification regarding the status of medical cannabis in the state.

​Louisville, KY - The Kentucky Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Kentucky NORML) is issuing a clarification regarding the status of medical cannabis in the state.
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It is important to note that medical cannabis is not legal in Kentucky and the Governor's recent executive order only pertains to pardons for individuals who have medical cannabis in their possession, not to the legality of possessing or using medical cannabis.

The executive order requires individuals to provide documentation to show that they have been diagnosed with at least one of the eligible conditions in the executive order and that they have a bona fide relationship with the healthcare provider. However, this does not mean that possessing or using medical cannabis is legal in Kentucky.

Additionally, crossing state lines with medical cannabis, regardless of documentation, remains a violation of federal law. It is the responsibility of individuals to weigh the risks and make informed decisions about their actions.

Kentucky NORML strongly advises the public to be cautious of businesses selling medical cannabis cards or certifications for exorbitant prices, as the executive order on medical cannabis has not been tested in courts as of yet, and there is no guarantee that these cards or letters will be verified by a judge.

For accurate and up-to-date information about the progress of marijuana reform in Kentucky, please visit kynorml.org or contact us at info@kynorml.org or 502-888-1522 for assistance and guidance.

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About Kentucky NORML

S​ince its founding in 1970, NORML, 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 for a national network of citizen-activists committed to ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing cannabis.