Kentucky is a year closer to legalized medical marijuana, and the state legislature is making its final preparations.
In 2023, the General Assembly voted to legalize medical cannabis. However, the legislature pushed the start date to Jan. 1, 2025, to give the Cabinet for Health and Family Services time to develop the necessary regulations.
This year, Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, filed House Bill 829 to update the bill before it takes effect next year.
After earning a favorable Senate State & Local Government committee vote Friday, the Senate passed HB829 26-12 early Monday afternoon.
Most of the votes aligned with last year’s medical cannabis vote, but Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green flipped from a no to a yes, while Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, switched from yes to no.
How will legalized medical marijuana work?
In 2025, eligible Kentuckians can become medical cannabis cardholders.
They must have one of the following qualifying conditions:
- any type or form of cancer regardless of 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; or
- any other medical condition for which Kentucky Center for Cannabis determines medical cannabis has evidence-backed medical, therapeutic or palliative benefits.
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