In Kentucky, the law on medical cannabis passes a first stage

The Kentucky House of Representatives, in the United States, voted to legalize medical cannabis. Lawmakers voted «yes» by a large majority (59 in favor, 34 against), even though the House is largely controlled by the Republican right. This is a first step for this conservative Southern state, which has I've already tried it several times to vote in favor of allowing patients access to cannabis.

If the bill clears all the hurdles, it will be (very) strict. Patients suffering from certain conditions—epilepsy, cancer, chronic nausea, post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain—will be able to get a prescription for cannabis. They will first need to obtain a card to make their purchases. However, they will not be able to buy more than a month’s supply, and they will not be allowed to consume the cannabis by smoking it. Only flowers or extracts that spray or ingest would be permitted. In addition, growing one's own crops is prohibited.

The Republican-controlled Senate must now vote

Next step: the Senate. For a bill to become law, it must go through three steps. First, it must pass the House of Representatives (which it has already done), then the Senate, and finally, it must be signed by the state governor. The governor, Andy Beshear, has already said he was in favor on the legalization of medical cannabis. Everything therefore rests in the hands of Kentucky's 38 senators.

The Republicans hold an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives. Donald Trump’s party controls 30 seats, compared with just 8 for the Democrats. The debates are sure to be heated, with a faction of the Grand Old Party on medical cannabis… and another that’s completely opposite.

Damon Thayer, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, warns that it will be difficult: «I'm not a supporter of medical marijuana, but I won't stand in its way if the bill passes. In any case, it's clear there won't be enough votes.» Others still hold out hope: « »We'll surely have enough votes to pass this bill in the Senate.", says Republican Jason Howell.

Kentucky remains one of the last U.S. states that do not have a medical cannabis program. 37 of the other 49 states have already said «yes.».