Medical marijuana bill advances for first time in Kentucky Senate as this session wanes
A bill legalizing medical marijuana access for some Kentuckians with chronic illness received a Senate committee’s approval Tuesday as this year’s legislative session enters its final days.
Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, is the latest bill to be filed by the Republican to try to legalize medicinal use of marijuana that at least 37 other states have ratified in some form.
“This has been a long road. I first filed a medical marijuana bill about five years ago,” West said. “I didn’t intend to ever get into medical marijuana or take a look at the issue.”
The bill passed the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee by an 8-3 vote, with a notable past opponent of such legislation voting for the bill.
“I have been a longtime opponent of legislation relating to marijuana,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown. “I believe Sen. West has done a fantastic job limiting the number of afflictions that medical cannabis can be used for. This narrowly focused approach has got my vote.”
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/medical-marijuana-bill-advances-first-time-kentucky-senate-session-wanes
