Kentucky becomes the 38th U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis

The U.S. state of Kentucky has legalized the’use of medical cannabis last Friday, after a decade of unsuccessful attempts. Kentucky is thus the 38th U.S. state to legalize the medical use of cannabis.

Just one day after the House of Representatives approved the bill introduced by Republican Senator Stephen West, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear kept his promise to sign it into law. The governor had urged citizens to pressure their representatives to pass the bill.

«Far too many of our fellow citizens face the challenges posed by chronic or terminal illnesses, such as cancer, or by veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or by Kentuckians living with epilepsy, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, or other conditions,» said Mr. Beshear.

«These people want and deserve safe and effective treatment methods.»

«I would like to thank the many human rights advocates who fought tirelessly to establish this day on behalf of their own health needs and those of others,» he also said.

What does Kentucky's medical cannabis program entail?

Supporters of medical cannabis were optimistic about its prospects this year. The House of Representatives had proposed similar measures during previous sessions, but so far they had been stalled in the Senate.

Here is what Kentucky's medical cannabis program includes:

• Patients referred by a doctor or nurse practitioner may be authorized to use cannabis if they suffer from cancer, severe pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity, chronic nausea or cyclic vomiting, post-traumatic stress disorder, or any other illness or medical condition deemed appropriate by the Kentucky Center for Cannabis
• Smoking cannabis will be prohibited, but patients will still be able to obtain raw cannabis for vaporizing
• Growing plants at home will not be permitted
• Patients may keep a 30-day supply of cannabis at home and a 10-day supply on their person
• Patient registration will last only 60 days, and the first visit must be in person
• The THC content will be limited to 35 % for cannabis flower products and to 70 % for concentrates. Edible products may not exceed 10 milligrams per serving.
• Medical cannabis will be exempt from sales and excise taxes
• License categories include three levels of growers, as well as producers, processors, safety compliance facilities, and dispensaries
• Local governments may decide not to allow cannabis businesses to operate, but citizens can ask their municipality to reconsider its decision
• The regulations must be finalized by January 1, 2024

The Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Kentucky.