At the heart of Humans of Cannabis in a Renaissance of Hope are the voices of people who have found relief, resilience, and empowerment through cannabis. Each of the over 50 stories in this book, including NORML founder, Keith Stroup, and JM Pedini, Development Director of NORML and many other advocates, entrepreneurs, and patients, highlights the deeply personal journeys of those who’ve advocated and turned to cannabis for their health, healing, or hope.

Governor Andy Beshear made marijuana legal medicinally in Kentucky last year, and now a bill is being proposed that would decriminalize it in the Commonwealth. Area officials are at odds following House Bill 72′s proposed decriminalization of marijuana possession, cultivation, and trafficking, as long as the quantity falls under parameters for “personal use.”

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.

Cannabis legislation has been hard to pass in Kentucky, which remains one of just 13 states with a total prohibition on marijuana on the books. Last year, a medical marijuana bill so restrictive it allowed non-smokable cannabis for only a handful of medical conditions passed in the House, but it did not receive a hearing in the Senate.

In an effort to address racial disparity in drug arrests, the Jefferson County Attorney's Office will no longer prosecute people for possession of a small amount of marijuana when that is the only or primary charge.