LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order legalizing Medicinal Marijuana will take effect as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
Beshear signed the orders last month. He said the use of marijuana would improve the quality of life for many people.
“Like veterans suffering from PTSD and those suffering from chronic and terminal conditions like cancer,” Beshear said.
If you’re diagnosed with any of the 21 conditions listed in the order, you can use marijuana to treat yourself starting January 1st. But there are limitations.
You need to buy the marijuana from a state that legally sells it and keep the receipt, you can’t have more than eight ounces, and you need proof that you’ve been diagnosed with one of the conditions.
“This is such a better answer for than 16, 17 prescriptions. Most of them opioids,” Beshear said.
While the order does open the door to medical marijuana use, there are still some obstacles, especially for people in Louisville.
Marijuana isn’t legal in Indiana and only people who live in Ohio can buy it there.
Illinois, Virginia, and Missouri are the closest states where marijuana is fully legal.
“The executive order isn’t going to make it convenient for anyone on the medical marijuana front. What it will ensure is that they’re not a criminal,” Beshear said.
Beshear said this is why it’s important that the Kentucky legislature legalize medical marijuana.
“I am the first to admit that the executive order is…
