Legalization Ky

At Legalize Kentucky Now, we believe that legalizing medical marijuana is achievable as soon as possible in Kentucky. Political leaders of both parties support it, and public support is at record levels. Legalize Kentucky Now is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana throughout Kentucky. Get involved today. In 2022, MPs Rachel Roberts and Nima Kulkarni introduced legalization laws. Similar bills were sponsored by Rep. Rachel Roberts in 2021, Senator Cluster Howard in 2020, Senator Dan Seum (who retired in late 2019) in 2018 and 2019, and Senator Perry Clark in 2017. While it may take some time for an adult legalizing law to pass in Kentucky, these lawmakers and others have begun a conversation that will eventually lead to the end of cannabis prohibition. In March 2022, the MPP released a report highlighting the 19 states – including Kentucky – that have yet to decriminalize cannabis and the negative consequences of this inaction.

Although a majority of Kentuckians supported full legalization, lawmakers failed to reduce criminal penalties to a civil fine. Under the current law, a first offence for possession of up to eight ounces of cannabis is punishable by up to 45 days in jail and a fine of up to $250. In 2019, more than 4,000 arrests were made for cannabis possession. Black Kentucky people were 9.4 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts. Contact your legislators and ask them to make the decriminalization of cannabis a priority. A group set up by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to advise him on improving access to medical marijuana has received overwhelming support from state residents for the legalization of medical cannabis. On Friday, Beshear said the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee team found that many Kentuckians with chronic conditions aren`t helped by traditional painkillers and fear the possibility of opioid addiction. Kentucky is one of 10 states that allow patients to use low-THC cannabis oil, but stronger marijuana products are still prohibited by law. While no political solution can solve all problems, the legalization of medical marijuana will make a real difference on a number of issues: increasing taxpayer dollars, compassionate use by people with diseases, reducing over-reliance on prescription painkillers that can lead to addiction and heroin and ruin our communities, and the impact of decriminalization on social justice. Kentuckians of all races and economic classes.

In short, the time has come. Contacting your local legislator is an important step toward policy change in Kentucky. Changing laws can cost time and money. Our nonprofit works hard to educate legislators, draft legislation, and meet with citizens on marijuana issues. 17. In March 2022, the Kentucky House of Representatives voted 59-34 to pass a medical cannabis bill, HB 136. This is the second time that the plenary has voted on this issue and the second time it has been adopted. For a short time, the future looked bright when Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Whitney Westerfield came out in favor of the bill.

Perhaps because of the honourable senator`s support for the bill, Senate leadership refused to refer the bill to committee, thereby cancelling the bill for the year. In January 2022, Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, who owns a bourbon distillery, told Kentucky Educational Television that he doesn`t support medical cannabis, even though “I know my constituents are in favor” and “if they don`t like it, they can pick on me in the next election.” Senator Thayer`s term ends in 2025. Gov. Andy Beshear recently said he could take executive action regarding medical cannabis and is looking at his options, but he doesn`t appear to have the legal authority to create a program. This setback is a huge disappointment for patients who have been working for many years to convince lawmakers to adopt medical cannabis. Although Rep. Jason Nemes, Senator Stephen West and other compassionate lawmakers have introduced medical cannabis legislation, none of the bills have been introduced in the Senate. If you live in Kentucky, please take the time to write to your state legislators to support medical cannabis. A February 2020 survey by Kentucky Health Issues found that 90% of Kentuckians support medical cannabis. Industrial hemp plants grow in a Kentucky field (Photo by Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg). A committee advising Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on improving access to medical marijuana has revealed.

[+] Last week, he received strong public support for legalizing the medical use of cannabis. Surveys suggest that 90% of Kentucky adults support the legalization of medical cannabis. Our team traveled across the state speaking directly with Kentucky residents, and they found that our people overwhelmingly support them,” Beshear said in a statement from the governor`s office Friday. “I appreciate the work of those who participated, and I take this information into account when analyzing the steps I can take to legalize medical cannabis for people with chronic and debilitating conditions. Did you know that an African American in Kentucky is almost 6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a Caucasian? The criminalization of marijuana disproportionately affects Black people in our state. The advisory committee announced last week that it had received more than 3,500 public comments on medical cannabis as of Aug. 12, with 98.6 percent in favor of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky. The panel also reported that Kentuckians cross state borders to purchase medical marijuana in neighboring states, but fear arrest once they return home. In addition, the committee noted that veterans find relief from PTSD symptoms with medical marijuana. Justice and Public Safety Secretary Kerry Harvey, co-chair of the committee, noted that the committee received no opposition from those present at recent City Hall meetings held to assess Kentuckians` views on medical marijuana.

Justice and Public Safety Secretary Kerry Harvey, co-chair of the committee, said the committee heard no opposition to the issue at town halls. The National Cancer Institute, run by the federal government, has said cannabis kills cancer cells. The medical research and science behind marijuana as a safer alternative to harsh chemicals is clear. We can greatly improve the lives of Kentucky citizens struggling with serious illnesses. “Our country is facing a critical crisis due to the overuse of addictive opioids. The people we`ve heard about are looking for pain relief that allows them to lead useful and productive lives,” Perry said. We have heard of family trauma stemming from unresolved pain and addictive painkillers. We also heard frustration that politicians are denying them legal access to effective treatment available to an overwhelming majority of Americans. “Everyone who spoke supported the legalization of medical cannabis in Kentucky,” Harvey said. “We`ve heard of many Kentuckians who use cannabis for its beneficial medicinal effects, but can only do so by breaking the law as it currently exists. Many of these Kentuckians must leave the Commonwealth to legally obtain medical cannabis in one of the 38 states where it is legal.

Beshear said he is reviewing the information as he decides what steps to take to legalize medical marijuana, which he supports. Cabinet Secretary for Public Protection Ray Perry, who also co-chaired the committee, said people who spoke to the group at City Hall meetings were looking for alternatives to traditional medical therapies. Late last month, the Beshear office announced that the governor would take action upon their release. Kentucky could generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue without raising taxes simply by regulating the sale and distribution of legalized marijuana. This money could fund our pensions, build our roads, go to school and much more. We could also save millions of dollars in law enforcement by not criminalizing simple possessions. The panel also noted that Kentucky veterans reported that cannabis use relieved post-traumatic stress disorder, the Beshear office said in a press release. An advisory committee set up this year by Gov. Andy Beshear reported that many Kentucky adults support legalizing medical marijuana, the Beshear office said Friday.