The US state of Kentucky legalized the use of medical cannabis last Friday, after a decade of failed attempts. Kentucky is the 38th US state to legalize the medical use of cannabis.
Just a day after the House of Representatives approved Republican Senator Stephen West’s bill, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear delivered on his promise to sign it into law. The governor had mobilized citizens to pressure their representatives to pass the bill.
“Far too many of our fellow citizens face the hurdle of chronic or terminal illnesses, such as cancer, or that of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or Kentucky residents with epilepsy, seizures epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or other illnesses,” said Beshear.
“These people want and deserve safe and effective treatment methods. »
I have been pushing for medical cannabis and sports betting for years. Today, I signed these two bills into law. Team Kentucky delivers and we get results. Congrats, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/mwkNjIBRA7
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 31, 2023
“I would like to thank the many human rights defenders who have fought hard to achieve this day on behalf of their own health needs and those of others,” he also said.
What’s in the Medical Cannabis Program in Kentucky?
Proponents of medical cannabis were optimistic about its prospects this year. The House of Representatives had proposed similar measures in previous sessions, but they had so far stalled in the Senate.
Here is what the medical cannabis program in Kentucky contains:
- Patients recommended by a physician or nurse practitioner may be permitted to use cannabis if they have cancer, severe pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity, chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting, post-traumatic stress or any other illness or medical condition deemed appropriate by the Kentucky Center for Cannabis
- Cannabis smoking will be banned, but patients will still be able to access raw cannabis to vaporize
- Home cultivation will not be allowed
- Patients can have a 30-day supply of cannabis in their residence and a 10-day supply on their person
- Patient registration will only last 60 days and the first visit will have to be in person
- The THC content will be limited to 35% for cannabis flower products and 70% for concentrates. Edibles cannot exceed 10 milligrams per serving
- Medical cannabis will be exempt from sales and excise taxes
- License categories include three levels of growers as well as growers, processors, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries
- Local authorities can decide not to allow cannabis businesses to operate, but citizens can ask their municipality to reverse their decision
- Regulations must be finalized before January 1, 2024
