Kentucky Governor Explores Executive Action On Medical Marijuana Reform As House-Passed Bill Stalls
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A House-passed bill to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky might be stalled in the Senate in the final days of the legislative session this week, but the governor on Monday reiterated that he’s exploring the possibility of taking executive action to advance reform. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) first signaled last week that he’s interested in what could be done at the administrative level to provide patients with access to medical cannabis, as it’s become increasingly unlikely that the legislature will act by the time lawmakers adjourn on Thursday. “I want to see Kentucky finally legalize medical marijuana,” he said during a press briefing on Monday. “When the people overwhelmingly demand it, the only thing keeping it from happening are we don’t have ballot initiatives, and then the legislature right now won’t follow the will of the people.”

Pressed in a follow-up question to elaborate on earlier comments about possible executive actions on the issue, the governor didn’t offer many specifics, saying that while there have been improvements to medical cannabis legislation this session, it hasn’t crossed the finish line and so the administration is going to “look at what legal options are out there” to do something itself. Beshear spoke generally about convening groups to address the lack of access to cannabis for military veterans, glaucoma patients and those seeking alternatives to opioid-based painkillers. “I’m going to have our attorneys in the executive branch, as well as others that are interested, look at and explore every option because this is the will of the people,” he said. “I hope that the legislative branch will listen to it. If not, we’re going to explore executive options.” The governor similarly talked about the need to enact medical cannabis reform at a briefing last Thursday, saying that “its time has certainly…

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Source : Kentucky Governor Explores Executive Action On Medical Marijuana Reform As House-Passed Bill Stalls

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