Kentucky: proposal to legalize recreational cannabis

Kentucky Senator Dan Seum has introduced a bill to legalize cannabis for recreational use in Kentucky, stating that legalization could generate new revenue for the state’s depleted coffers—potentially more than $100 million a year—and create numerous jobs.

Sen. Dan Seum introducing bill to legalize adult use of cannabis. pic.twitter.com/PIOfCPCYFs

— Lawrence Smith (@LASmithReports) January 17, 2018

«Cannabis is already here, it's available to anyone who wants it. So you legalize it, you tax it, and the state has new revenue,» he explained to Associated Press.

The Senate Bill 80 would allow

• to define limits for the possession, cultivation, processing, purchase, and consumption of cannabis
• to implement laws to penalize driving under the influence of cannabis
• to penalize possession and consumption for minors
• Create a legal system for cannabis businesses and dispensaries
• Establish a system for taxing cannabis

The bill does not set an exact limit for purchase or possession for now, but it already stipulates that only adults over 21 years of age would have the right to possess cannabis.

This proposal comes in addition to the House Bill 166, filed earlier this month, and which aims to legalize the medical use of cannabis.

Kentucky currently only allows CBD oil for children with epilepsy. However, the state is struggling to move forward with reforms to its cannabis laws, with significant reluctance from other representatives and senators.

However, the State General Assembly is expected to debate the legalization of medical cannabis this year. The State Governor announced that he would really consider passing it. if it includes sufficient regulations.

As for SB 80, it may lack the support to truly become law, as stated by Senate President Robert Stivers. The Kentucky Senate is Republican-controlled, not exactly supporters of cannabis legalization.