Kentucky House votes to legalize medical marijuana
4 years, 10 months ago

Kentucky House votes to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — After years of setbacks, medical marijuana advocates cleared a historic hurdle Thursday when the Kentucky House voted to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The House vote marked the first time a medical marijuana bill passed either legislative chamber in Kentucky, supporters said. Revisions will be acceptable, he said, as long as the bill’s core goal is preserved: “And that is to provide medical marijuana for as many Kentuckians in need whose physician thinks it will help them.” During the long House debate, Nemes reassured his House colleagues that the measure would create the country’s “tightest medical marijuana” program if it becomes law. This is about health.” After the House vote, a steadfast medical marijuana advocate in Kentucky, Eric Crawford, celebrated the vote but was mindful of an even bigger hurdle to overcome in the Senate.

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History of this topic

Kentucky to help connect patients with medical providers as part of its medical cannabis program
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Kentucky to help connect patients with medical providers as part of its medical cannabis program

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky will offer an online directory to help connect patients with medical providers as it prepares for the start of its medical cannabis program in 2025, Gov. So far, 154 doctors and advanced practice registered nurses are authorized to be medical cannabis practitioners, a number that is growing steadily, Beshear said. After years of setbacks for proponents …

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Biden administration’s push to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug won an endorsement Wednesday from Kentucky Gov. Beshear’s letter focused on marijuana’s medical uses, with Kentucky’s medical cannabis program set to begin Jan. 1. The proposed federal rule recognizes medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the …

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Businesses that want to sell, process or grow medical marijuana for Kentucky can start applying for permits starting Monday, part of an accelerated push to have products available in early 2025, Gov. Patients can apply for medical cannabis cards starting Jan. 1 if they have qualifying illnesses, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or …

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana
6 months, 3 weeks ago

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina got a step closer to legalizing medical marijuana on Thursday when the state Senate gave it its initial approval. Legalizing medical marijuana for qualifying patients with a “debilitating medical condition” was added to a bill on Wednesday that originally focused on creating further state regulations for federally legal hemp products. Sen. Bill Rabon, a Republican …

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?
8 months ago

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?

Associated Press  

As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis for widespread medical or recreational use by adults. Following two previous failed attempts, a Nebraska group is gathering signatures to get two measures onto this year’s ballot: one to legalize medical …

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states
8 months ago

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Following two previous failed attempts, …

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. “We’re behind the times,” state Sen. John Doll, a western Kansas Republican who voted for both measures, said after Friday’s votes. Laura Kelly even linked medical marijuana to Medicaid expansion in …

Kentucky governor announces lottery to award initial round of medical cannabis business licenses
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Kentucky governor announces lottery to award initial round of medical cannabis business licenses

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky will use a lottery system to award an initial round of licenses to businesses competing to participate in the state’s startup medical cannabis program, Gov. “But one that provides at least a chance for everyone who can meet the criteria.” The state initially will issue 48 medical cannabis dispensary licenses, divided among 11 regions. The goal …

Kentucky governor backs longer list of conditions eligible for treatment under medical marijuana law
1 year ago

Kentucky governor backs longer list of conditions eligible for treatment under medical marijuana law

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Access to medical marijuana in Kentucky should expand to include a longer list of severe health conditions, Gov. The Democratic governor said the law is based on “providing relief to Kentuckians with severe medical conditions” and should therefore be expanded. “While the legislation referenced several qualifying conditions, it left others out.” The expansion would make an estimated …

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight
1 year, 7 months ago

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly’s chief advocate for legalizing medical marijuana in the state revealed publicly on Tuesday how he smoked pot over 20 years ago to withstand discomforts of intense chemotherapy during a fight with cancer. He said he told his local police chief and sheriff that “I’m going to have to buy drugs illegally to …

Kentucky House gives final passage to medical marijuana bill
1 year, 9 months ago

Kentucky House gives final passage to medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Medical marijuana advocates achieved a long-sought victory Thursday, when Kentucky lawmakers gave final passage to a measure to legalize access to medical cannabis for people suffering from a defined list of debilitating illnesses. “This is a truly historic day here in the commonwealth and one that many people deserve — especially the constituents who’ve approached me over …

Medical marijuana proposal gains momentum in Kentucky
1 year, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana proposal gains momentum in Kentucky

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky achieved a breakthrough Tuesday when their bill cleared a Senate committee with support from a key Republican leader after years of running into a roadblock. Medical cannabis supporters broke into applause when Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer voted for the bill after years of opposing marijuana-related legislation. Thayer approved …

North Carolina Senate backs legalizing pot for medical use
1 year, 10 months ago

North Carolina Senate backs legalizing pot for medical use

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Senate voted on Tuesday to legalize marijuana use for medical purposes, giving strong bipartisan support for the second year in a row to an idea that its supporters say would give relief to those with debilitating or life-ending illnesses. Under North Carolina’s bill, a new state commission would award licenses to 10 entities that …

Kentucky governor relaxes ban on medical marijuana
2 years, 1 month ago

Kentucky governor relaxes ban on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. GOP state Rep. Jason Nemes, a leading supporter of legalizing medical marijuana, said in a social media post: “As much as I support his effort to bring medical marijuana to Kentucky, this unprecedented power grab cannot stand.” House Speaker David Osborne acknowledged in a statement there is support for medical marijuana in Kentucky but said “the …

Governor names 17 to medical marijuana advisory panel
2 years, 6 months ago

Governor names 17 to medical marijuana advisory panel

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear named 17 people on Tuesday to serve on a medical marijuana advisory team that he formed by an executive order. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Ray Perry will serve as co-chairs of the panel, which includes health care professionals, members of law enforcement and advocates …

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Marijuana would be legalized for medical use in North Carolina with a physician’s prescription and purchased through dozens of tightly regulated dispensaries in a measure receiving initial approval Thursday in the Senate. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, could help people facing more than a dozen different “debilitating medical conditions” in which their doctor declares the …

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation authorizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow, sell and regulate cannabis was recommended by a state Senate committee Wednesday, nine months after it last surfaced. The measure, which now heads to the Senate floor for the first of two required votes Thursday, would allow patients with at least one …

Kentucky gov: New center won’t slow medical cannabis review
2 years, 8 months ago

Kentucky gov: New center won’t slow medical cannabis review

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that a newly created cannabis research center won’t slow his review of whether he has the authority to singlehandedly legalize medical marijuana — a decision that’s likely to come this summer. The governor said he sees value in the cannabis center’s formation, but added some lawmakers used it as a tactic …

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis
2 years, 8 months ago

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. The Democratic governor said he’ll seek grassroots input as his legal team explores his potential options to make medical marijuana legally accessible. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said Kentuckians should be concerned that the governor “thinks he can change statute by executive order.” “He simply can’t legalize medical marijuana by executive order; you can’t supersede a …

Legalizing medical marijuana gets first public hearing
2 years, 8 months ago

Legalizing medical marijuana gets first public hearing

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A Republican-authored bill to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin will be getting its first public hearing next week, achieving one goal of backers and the latest sign of progress for those who want to loosen the state’s laws. But the April 20 Senate committee hearing on the medical marijuana bill will give supporters their highest profile chance …

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue
2 years, 9 months ago

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — If a bill legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t reach his desk, Gov. Asked if he could potentially issue an executive order making medical marijuana accessible if the bill dies, the governor told reporters: “We’re going to explore that.” “It’s something that we will look at,” he said. “Its time has certainly come.” But the governor called on lawmakers …

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor
2 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A bill allowing limited use of medical marijuana in South Carolina is heading to the House floor — the furthest the proposal has made it during the eight years its passionate supporters have been pushing for it. The bill’s sponsor said if it passes, South Carolina’s law would be one of the most conservative of the nearly …

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana
2 years, 9 months ago

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A House committee will hold a public hearing Monday on a bill to allow the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. A small group of House members Thursday made a few changes in the lengthy bill passed in February by the full Senate on a 28-15 vote. Much of that is expected for the meeting Monday …

Kentucky House passes bill to legalize medical marijuana
2 years, 9 months ago

Kentucky House passes bill to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky House endorsed legalizing medical marijuana, passing a bill Thursday to strictly regulate the use of cannabis for a list of eligible medical conditions. Opponents said they worry that Kentucky’s cannabis policy would become more lenient over the years if medical marijuana gets a legal foothold. The House amended the bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder …

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senators Wednesday approved the use of medical marijuana in the state on a 28-15 vote that finished a Republican senator’s seven-year quest to pass the proposal, but the legislation still has some hurdles to pass to become law. Davis said his proposal would be one of the most conservative among the 37 states that have …

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The debate over whether to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina is extending into a third week in the state Senate starting Tuesday, with a Republican leader telling his colleagues to plan for late nights to bring the issue to a vote. Other opponents said Davis’ bill creates a massive new bureaucracy to handle medical marijuana. Democratic …

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate
2 years, 11 months ago

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis walked up to the well of the Senate about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to finally get the medical marijuana debate to which he has dedicated more than seven years of his legislative career. Palmetto Family Council President Dave Wilson wondered why the state Senate prioritized the marijuana debate over other issues like cutting …

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana
2 years, 11 months ago

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A group of Republican lawmakers resurrected a bill Wednesday to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin, saying it’s time to at least talk about using the drug as a natural way to help the sick treat their ailments naturally. Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Patrick Snyder’s bill would create a new state commission that would regulate medical marijuana. …

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is moving closer to joining most other states in allowing people to use marijuana to relieve medical conditions. The state House voted 104-14 Wednesday to pass a bill that would create a medical marijuana program. When the bill passed the Senate, it said a person with a marijuana prescription could obtain up to 3.5 grams of the substance …

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote

Associated Press  

— Mississippi senators voted Thursday to advance a bill that would create a medical marijuana program, sending it to the House for more work. Blackwell has been one of the lead negotiators the past several months on creating a medical marijuana program for Mississippi residents with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. Tate Reeves has …

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate

Associated Press  

— A bill to create a medical marijuana program is headed for debate in the Mississippi Senate in coming days. In November 2020, a wide margin of Mississippi voters approved an initiative to allow medical marijuana, and a program was supposed to be in place by the middle of 2021. In May, the state Supreme Court ruled that the initiative …

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

— Mississippi legislative leaders said Friday that they are asking Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to call the House and Senate into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and approve financial help for hospitals. They also want legislators during the session to authorize death benefit payments for law enforcement officers and first responders who die of COVID-19 and set …

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program
3 years, 5 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program

Associated Press  

— Two Mississippi lawmakers say they’re continuing to work on proposals to create a medical marijuana program, two months after the state Supreme Court invalidated one that voters had approved. Yancey said a House bill would be similar to Initiative 65, which voters approved in November to allow medical marijuana use by people with some debilitating conditions. Initiative 65 was …

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote
3 years, 8 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A second legislative committee on Thursday approved a medical marijuana bill, putting the proposal in line for a key vote in the House of Representatives. The House Health Committee approved the legislation by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence, that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a …

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate on Wednesday approved medical marijuana legislation as advocates hope to get the measure enacted after years of setbacks in the conservative state. Senators voted 21-8 to approve the bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana, in forms such as gels or …

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’
3 years, 10 months ago

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’

Associated Press  

— Supporters of a successful ballot measure to make medical marijuana legal in South Dakota urged state lawmakers on Monday to allow users to avoid criminal charges during any delay in implementing the program. The Republican governor’s proposal to delay was another setback for pro-pot groups after they saw a voter-passed constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana struck down by a …

Marijuana advocates launch campaign for November election
4 years, 6 months ago

Marijuana advocates launch campaign for November election

Associated Press  

— Marijuana legalization advocates kicked off their campaign on Wednesday to convince South Dakota voters to vote to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana in the November general election. South Dakota, where marijuana is currently illegal, would be the first state to approve both medical and recreational marijuana at the same time, if voters pass a pair of initiatives on …

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics
4 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted. “But the flip side of it is, if there are people who need medical attention and truly believe that it will help them, who are we to say they can’t have it?” Schickel’s dilemma stands as yet another …

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee
4 years, 10 months ago

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A medical marijuana bill cleared its first hurdle Wednesday in the Alabama Legislature, giving hope to advocates after years of setbacks. This bill is about getting well,” said Dr. Alan Shackelford, a Colorado doctor who described the success of using medical marijuana on people with seizures and cancer. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the so-called …

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week
4 years, 10 months ago

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Medical marijuana is getting a serious look in the Kentucky legislature. In another sign of momentum for the push to legalize cannabis for treatment of some medical conditions, House Speaker David Osborne said the bill could come up for a House vote as soon as next week. The bill also would set up a regulatory process allowing …

Kentucky bill to legalize medical marijuana advances
4 years, 10 months ago

Kentucky bill to legalize medical marijuana advances

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — After years of setbacks, medical marijuana advocates in Kentucky gained momentum Wednesday when a House committee overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis. The committee room was filled with advocates who have pressed for years to legalize medical marijuana for people battling chronic pain and debilitating medical conditions. “It is your job to enact laws for …

GOP support grows for legal medical marijuana in Wisconsin
5 years ago

GOP support grows for legal medical marijuana in Wisconsin

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — The push to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin gained momentum Wednesday with the unveiling of a bill introduced for the first time by Republican lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who is running for Congress, said in September that legalizing medical marijuana won’t pass the Senate because “everyone knows that medical marijuana leads to legalized marijuana.” He …

South Dakota groups file petitions to legalize marijuana
5 years, 2 months ago

South Dakota groups file petitions to legalize marijuana

Associated Press  

— South Dakota groups submitted separate signed petitions Monday that would allow residents to vote next year on whether to legalize medical marijuana and recreational marijuana. New Approach South Dakota submitted more than 30,000 signatures to put the medical marijuana initiative on the ballot. The same group tried to get medical marijuana on South Dakota’s ballot last year but fell …

Wisconsin lawmakers introduce medical marijuana bill
5 years, 3 months ago

Wisconsin lawmakers introduce medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A group of lawmakers launched another push Friday to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin, introducing a bill that would allow patients to use the drug if they register with the state and create a licensing system for growers. “I don’t’ support this plan and I think that it’s going to be a tough sell to a majority …

Marijuana advocates trying again for Wisconsin legalization
5 years, 8 months ago

Marijuana advocates trying again for Wisconsin legalization

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Marijuana advocates have high hopes that the latest proposal to legalize pot in Wisconsin has a better chance of success than ever given growing public support, but the bill unveiled Thursday again faces stiff opposition from Republicans who control the Legislature. That’s not deterring Democratic Rep. Melissa Sargent, of Madison, who said voter approval of non-binding referendums …

Nebraska’s tough approach to medical marijuana may backfire
5 years, 8 months ago

Nebraska’s tough approach to medical marijuana may backfire

Associated Press  

— Year after year, Nebraska’s conservative lawmakers have rejected measures calling for limited and highly regulated medical marijuana. “I have no idea what’s going on down in Lincoln.” Since 2010, legislators have rejected medical marijuana bills three times, even measures that allowed only low levels of the drug’s active ingredient and restricted it to creams and oils with a ban …

As Wisconsin eyes legalizing medical marijuana, research and doctor views mixed
5 years, 9 months ago

As Wisconsin eyes legalizing medical marijuana, research and doctor views mixed

Associated Press  

Greg Kinsley of Madison says marijuana reduces gut pain and inflammation from Crohn’s disease. Dr. Michael Miller, a recent Wisconsin Medical Society officer and past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, said marijuana can be addictive, isn’t better than approved drugs and is unpredictable because purity and potency vary. “There’s benefit, but it’s not for everything, and it’s …

Wisconsin favors legalizing cannabis, but hurdles remain
5 years, 9 months ago

Wisconsin favors legalizing cannabis, but hurdles remain

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Gary Storck has been here before. “The reason I say it’s coming is that pretty much across the state, law enforcement has de-emphasized marijuana enforcement, particularly for possession,” said Chisholm, a Democrat. While Mahoney, a Democrat, has no problem with residents of Dane County who are “smoking a doobie,” he said statewide law enforcement groups would oppose …

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