STATEMENT RELEASE WEST’S MEDICAL CANNABIS LEGISLATION RECEIVES FINAL PASSAGE

FRANKFORT, KY (March 30, 2023) - The following is a statement from Senator Steve West, R-Paris, upon the state House of Representatives' approval of Senate Bill 47, medical marijuana legislation:

“This is a truly historic day here in the commonwealth and one that many people deserve—especially the constituents who’ve approached me over the years to share their stories,” West said. “This is a deeply personal and important issue to thousands of Kentuckians who have called for safe options for their medical care and treatment. For that reason, it’s important to me.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for helping get this over the finish line. It took a lot of time, deliberation and debate spanning many years, but we did it. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the work of Rep. Jason Nemes and even more so, the advocacy of residents like Eric and Michelle Crawford who’ve spent countless hours in the Capitol Annex educating and convincing lawmakers that medical marijuana’s time has come.

“Today is a great day and I’m glad to know Senate Bill 47 will become state law.”

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Enactment of medical marijuana by state legislatures has been a nationwide trend. Emphasis has been placed on incorporating holistic palliative treatments for cancer and many other debilitating disorders. In many situations, some may prefer the option to use a form of medical marijuana instead of opioid pain medications due to their addictive nature.

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The following diagnoses are covered under SB 47:

  • Any type or form of cancer regardless of the stage

  • Chronic, severe, intractable, or debilitating pain

  • Epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder

  • Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity

  • Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that has proven resistant to other conventional medical treatments

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

  • Any other medical condition or disease for which the Kentucky Center for Cannabis established in KRS 164.983, or its successor, determines that sufficient scientific data and evidence exists to demonstrate that an individual diagnosed with that condition or disease is likely to receive medical, therapeutic, or palliative benefits from the use of medicinal cannabis

This bill not only names specific ailments that qualify for medical cannabis but also sets up the regulatory authority through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to oversee all aspects of medicinal legalization. It establishes guidelines for law enforcement, requiring that medical marijuana be transported in an opaque container with labels and a clearly marked dosage. SB 47 establishes rights for employers, civil rights for parents and custodians of minors, and parameters involving rights within education and how a patient must obtain eligibility and acquire a medical card.

Legalizing medical marijuana is a complex administrative process. In addition to the guidelines concerning patient access, physician responsibility and civil liberties for many areas of everyday society have to be established.  SB 47 lays out the standards for setting up a dispensary, applying for a business license, and obtaining the product for distribution. As all medication in Kentucky, medicinal marijuana will not be taxed, but fees will be levied on producers and dispensaries. Kentucky farmers will also benefit, as all medical marijuana sold in the commonwealth must be grown in the commonwealth. This bill touches on nearly every aspect of incorporating medicinal marijuana into Kentucky’s health care system.

Senate Bill 47 would take effect January 1, 2025, which provides time for the Kentucky Center for Cannabis to complete studies. The Center was established by 2022’s House Bill 604. The center’s purpose is to advance the study of the use of cannabis and cannabis derivatives for the treatment of certain medical conditions and diseases as indicated and recommended by the center's advisory board.

 Click here to find the bill in full. Visit legislature.ky.gov to learn more about Senator Steve West.

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Senator Steve West, R-Paris, represents the 27th Senate District, including Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, and Rowan Counties and part of northern Fayette County. He serves as Senate Education Committee chair and Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee chair. West is also a member of the Senate standing committees on Agriculture and a Budget Review Subcommittee on Education member.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate127.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of West.