Kentucky Senate Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill
Kentucky Senate Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill
MJ moment
A Kentucky Senate committee on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee passed the legislation from Sen. Stephen West (R) and 12 other senators in a 8-3 vote. It now heads to the Senate floor with just days left in the session. “I didn’t intend to ever get into medical marijuana and take a look at the issue,” West told the panel ahead of the vote, adding that he was moved after hearing the stories of constituents. The committee chair, Sen. John Schickel (R), only recently committed to holding a vote on the cannabis reform proposal if the sponsor assured him it had enough support to advance.
“I know it’s been a long road to this committee and I want to commend you for your vigilance and on this bill,” the chair told West on Tuesday. “I have been working with you and people who have carried this bill before you for years. And you are an example to us all of in class and the way to handle yourself on a controversial issue which people feel passionately about in both directions.” Prior to approving the bill, the committee adopted a substitute version of the measure that changes a number of provisions. Here’s what SB 47 would accomplish: Patients could qualify to use cannabis if they have cancer, severe pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity, chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting, post-traumatic stress disorder or any other medical condition or disease which the Kentucky Center for Cannabis deems appropriate. Smoking marijuana would be prohibited, but patients could still access raw cannabis for vaporization. Home cultivation would not be allowed. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services would be charged with overseeing the program, including setting regulations and…
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