Kentucky medical marijuana debate remains in limbo

By Collin Morris

The issue of medical marijuana legalization has been a unique conversation in Kentucky for nearly a decade.

With a small but diverse set of supporters across the General Assembly, medical marijuana legalization has received support from legislators representing black-majority districts in Louisville, such as Rep. Charles Booker, to representatives with backgrounds as eastern Kentucky coal executives, such as Rep. Ray Jones.

The conversation has evolved beyond its origin into a more bipartisan, pragmatic dialogue over cannabis as it relates to public health, such as cancer patients, or even an outlet for veterans facing post-war trauma – both of which have gradually destigmatized and legitimized a once taboo topic.

Medical marijuana’s most recent iteration in the legislature, House Bill 136, was a milestone for pro-marijuana activists, passing the House Judiciary Committee on a 16-1 vote.

However, and as with many previous pieces of medical marijuana legislation, the bill stagnated – remaining in limbo in the Rules Committee with two amendments at the conclusion of the past session on March 28.

Gov. Matt Bevin announced his intent on Tuesday to again call a special session to address pension reform, meaning the debates on medical marijuana had concluded until the next legislative session in 2020.

In the meantime, the debate over medical marijuana has shifted away from the legislative branch and into the rhetorical debate of the executive-branch candidates – particularly on the Democratic side.

Former auditor Adam Edelen, Rep. Rocky Adkins and Attorney General Andy Beshear, the three major Democratic candidates for governor, have each expressed support for some form of medical marijuana legalization.

Edelen has also taken a stance beyond medical marijuana and into the realm of decriminalization — announcing a comprehensive reformation plan on Monday.

Decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Adam Edelen.

“Decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” Edelen said. “Marijuana enforcement cost taxpayers $50 million last year alone. That’s just dumb.”

The concern for each candidate has not been their individual expressions of support; however, but rather how they’ll be able to work with a Republican-controlled legislature to pass their measures.

Edelen, who was known for productive exercises of bipartisanship as state auditor, has said his work with Republicans on other issues will translate to the medical marijuana question and other issues.

“As your taxpayer watchdog, I worked with former commissioner of agriculture Jamie Comer to put Richie Farmer, whose banner hangs in Rupp Arena might I add, behind bars,” Edelen said at a campaign event in Lexington. “I have a record of getting big, important things done, and I subscribe to the philosophy that you don’t have to agree on everything to get something done.”

Adkins, a cancer survivor himself, said he’s confident medical marijuana legislation will pass, as did Beshear, who shared that he’d “happily” sign the bill were it presented to him as governor.

Daniel Hurt, a member of the governing body of the Kentucky Democratic Party, said the issue is a matter of when, not if.

“It’s inevitable that voters will push the issue forward,” Hurt said. “I think the real question is if it will be before or after enough members of the current General Assembly are pushed out.”

Hannah Wilson, a supporter of medical marijuana legalization, talks to an undecided voter.