Kentuckians are Taking the Lead on State Level Cannabis Reform

Despite threats from attorney General Jeff Sessions to crack down on states who have passed pro-cannabis legislation, Kentuckians are pushing forward to become the latest state to enact medical marijuana reforms. HB 166 seeks to provide access for those Kentucky residents looking for treatment where pharmaceuticals have failed. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan-Grimes has spearheaded the recent effort saying, "Kentuckians are begging for an alternative to opioids and prescriptions. The natural remedy is what they are asking for to help with their illness and ailments." Attorney General Sessions is revamping the governments war on marijuana by rolling back policy enacted by former President Obama that throttled federal action against states that had passed legalization efforts.

January 11th meeting of the Medical Marijuana Task Force

State Rep. John Sims has stepped up as the bills primary sponsor with Rep. Alan Gentry serving as cosponsor. State Senator Steve West, is expected to introduce the bill in the Senate. In an unexpected move Republican Senator Dan Seum, introduced SB 80. SB 80 goes a step farther and proposes to legalize cultivation and sale recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. Seum noted tax revenue and jobs as his primary motivation, estimating that the state could generate between $100-200 million annually and generate 15,000 jobs. Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin had stated during his campaign that he would sign a medical bill into law, but has come out vocally against legalizing recreational use, “If you’re already doped up… and you’re getting doped up by eating gummy bears, gummy bears are addicting enough already,” the Governor stated at a Q&A luncheon with local business leaders. “There aren’t many people in this room who can open up a pack of 20 and eat just three or four, but now imagine if they’re laced with THC.” Bevin sited increased occurrence of "overdose" in Colorado as another reason to not support full legalization. A third bill SB23 seeks to provide access to cannabis oils.

While these are the most recent efforts for reform in the state, they are far from the first. Kentucky-born attorney, politician, and reform activist Gatewood Galbraith worked for years to bring common sense policy regarding cannabis. In 2013, the Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Act HB 129 was introduced. While this bill failed, the state went on to soften laws, making possession and trafficking (first offence) of less than eight ounces a misdemeanor. Kentucky has also instituted a pilot program to research industrial hemp.

Gatewood Galbraith

Despite past setbacks, the Commonwealth seems eager to take advantage of this opportunity. On January 11th community leader and university instructor Christopher Merritt joined approximately 40 others at a meeting of the Medical Marijuana Task Force formed by Secretary of State Grimes. “I want marijuana to become Kentucky's legal cash crop.” Merritt said. “I want Kentucky to flourish and become a rich farming state. I want Kentuckians to become major players in a rising, thriving new industry. We will not be the first, but if this can happen now, we can still get in on it pretty early.” “I feel highly optimistic about HB 166. Especially after the task force meeting.” Merritt added. “The energy was very, very positive. Everyone there was excited. Rep. Sims said that there is bi-partisan support. All we need is to have the community support behind the legislature and this will happen.” Merritt went on to say, “It isn't the bill I want, but a lot of states went medical first before full recreational was passed. So for me it is a means of building a sustaining economy that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and one that will treat many, many sick people in this state. It is win/win.” An unnamed task force member was stated as saying, "This is a great crowd. Each meeting, more and more people are showing up." Cannabis reform is also gaining support from Kentucky legislators. State Rep. Angie Hatton, who serves the 94th district, came out in support of HB 166. She wrote in The Mountain Eagle, “ This is an important issue to me, because there is no doubt that medical marijuana would benefit many, and studies show that it can have positive and significant impacts on opioid overdoes deaths which have reached epidemic levels, especially here in Eastern Kentucky.”

Kentucky is among the poorest and sickest in the country with the states 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Hal Rogers, ranking last out of 434 in the nation in health and well-being. In addition to poor health and general well-being, the region has slipped deep into the opioid crisis that currently affects millions of Americans. Over-prescription from doctors, who were heavily influenced by drug manufactures, has led to one of the highest addiction rates in the country. Many of those who support reform say that marijuana can go a long way to help rid people of their addiction. A study published last year in the American Journal of Public Health showed that deaths related to opioid abuse decreased by 6% after recreational marijuana was legalized. This is only one of numerous studies that show similar results. In addition, other evidence exists showing medical marijuana counters side effects of many other illnesses and diseases, including cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and hepatitis C. The Maysville Ledger Independent quoted state Rep. Sims as saying, "House Bill 166 is the best bill in the United States of America for medical cannabis. There have been hours, weeks, and months spent on this bill to make it the gold standard. This is about improving the health of Kentuckians." House bill 166 was filed in the House on the morning of the January 11th.

KY Vietnam Veteran Danny "Greasy" Belcher explains to legislators how medical marijuana helps him to overcome his PTSD, and be a more productive member of society.(Youtube Video)