The House Judiciary Committee recently approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky and a at least a couple local lawmakers aren’t ruling out supporting the measure as it progresses.
The bill sets out policies for cultivation, processing, sale, distribution and use of medicinal marijuana.
State Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County says there are still questions he’ll have to have answered, but his thoughts have been swayed by friends and constituents who have told him stories of loved ones who benefitted from medical marijuana.
Marijuana is still illegal on a federal level and that is one issue Westerfield continues to have with the bill.
State Representative Myron Dossett also hasn’t decided if he’ll support House Bill 136 when it comes before the full chamber, but he’s encouraged that the legislation would prohibit smoking of medical marijuana.
Representative Walker Thomas says he’s leaning toward waiting for the federal government to potentially take action instead of the General Assembly.
Local governments and their citizens would have the authority to decide whether or not medical marijuana businesses can operate locally.