A bill legalizing the use of regulated medical marijuana in Kentucky has already passed the House and is now awaiting a potential hearing in the Senate Judicial Committee that’s chaired by Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County.
House Bill 136 sets out policies for cultivation, processing, sale, distribution and use of medicinal marijuana.
The bill would prohibit smoking of medicinal marijuana and possession or use of medical marijuana in specific public buildings. Users of the substance would have to be registered and possess a medical cannabis card. Cannabis businesses would have to be licensed.
Senator Westerfield says he’s found what he sees as multiple legal and drafting issues in the bill and he will be conferring with members of the House who had large roles in the legislation before deciding how to proceed.
He hasn’t decided yet on whether House Bill 136 will receive a hearing in committee, but also assures the measure wasn’t sent to his committee to die.
Senator Westerfield continues to say he’s heard the voices of those who have had family members helped by medical marijuana and he has kept an open mind.
Meanwhile, legislation has advanced from committee in the House that would clarify that regional Real ID offices are under the oversight of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Additionally, the bill would transition all driver’s licensing, permits, and personal ID card responsibilities from Kentucky’s circuit court clerk offices to the Cabinet by June 30, 2022.
Representative Walker Thomas of Hopkinsville says the circuit court clerks he’s spoken with have been in support of the move.
House Bill 453 now awaits a vote in the full House.
You can hear local legislators discuss these topics and many more Sunday morning at 9 on our weekly Legislative Update program on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.