Ground Breaking Kentucky Medical Marijuana legalization

written by: Guy Sproat (April 1st, 2023)

As of March 27th, 2023, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed into law a new bill that legalizes medical cannabis in the state. House Bill 136 allows the use of medical cannabis to treat many conditions including but not limited to, PTSD, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and helping cancer patients get through their treatment. There will be no smoking or combustion of flower, rather only vaping. This makes Kentucky the 38th state to legalize medical cannabis

This is a remarkable shift for Kentucky, as before cannabis was illegal in all forms and possession could be answered with over a month in incarceration. Historically, Kentucky has had conservative values towards cannabis policies, and there was still a stigma. Looking forward, Kentucky looks for how medical cannabis can treat and handle addiction numbers by allowing people to have alternative safer substances

This isn’t the first move Kentucky had made with cannabis though, back in 2014 a law was passed that allowed extractions made from the use of low-THC cannabis for medical purposes, but it was limited in reach and did not provide patients with the extent of cannabis’ full potential. Since then however, the stigma has shifted and many citizens and lawmakers see the benefit to legalization

Kentucky’s new House Bill 136 marks a momentous milestone for their history of cannabis and supporters look forward to the benefits it will bring and what other laws it will pave the way for