Kentucky Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

The Kentucky Senate on Thursday passed a medical cannabis bill on a 26-11 vote, WYMT reports. The legislation moves next to the House, which has passed medical cannabis reforms in previous sessions but they ultimately died in the Senate.  

The measure would not allow patients to access smokable products but permits edibles and concentrates. If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear (D), the bill would take effect on January 1.  

Beshear, who made medical cannabis legalization a legislative priority, is expected to sign the measure if it reaches his desk. Last year, via executive order, the governor legalized the possession of cannabis by some individuals suffering from severe medical conditions. Those reforms took effect on January 1, allowing individuals with a medical provider’s statement to possess up to eight ounces of cannabis for medical purposes if purchased legally in another state.    

The bill passed the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee on Tuesday. The committee added one amendment to the bill, allowing employers to “conduct assessments of impairment of an employee” with a medical cannabis card.  

The House is expected to consider the measure later this month when lawmakers reconvene for the final two days of this year’s legislative session.