The time has come for Kentucky to legalize medical marijuana

Kentucky is one of the sickest states in the nation with high rates of cancer, disability, chronic pain and addiction.

But until now, we have ignored something that could help ease the pain and anxiety associated with many of these problems — medical marijuana.

That could change with House Bill 136 from Louisville Republican Jason Nemes, who has crafted tightly controlled and legislation that would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis and related symptoms, nausea, and PTSD.

Nemes has sold the bill on its restrictions, according to reporter Austin Horn. “Key regulations that make the bill more “narrow” than some other states that have legalized medical marijuana include provisions banning the smoking of marijuana and growing it yourself; a clause that bars “cross-pollination” between farmers, processors, dispensers and safety testers; as well as checks that ensure a physician-patient relationship is ‘bonafide,’” he wrote.

It narrowly passed the House on a 59-34 vote. As of Tuesday, it had not appeared on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda. We hope this doesn’t mean the bill is doomed because it is time for Kentucky to use every tool it can. We did embrace another drug to solve our chronic pain problems, but as we all know, legal opioids have caused more death and destruction throughout Kentucky than any illegal substance ever has. Doctors need alternatives.

Marijuana, particularly prescribed, is no more of a gateway drug than alcohol, a substance our leaders tout at every turn. A few months ago, a Gallup poll recorded U.S. support for marijuana legalization at 68%. A 2020 USA Today poll also reported that 59% of Kentuckians supported legalization of medical marijuana. Impossible to overdose on, it’s far safer than opioids, and can be easier on people’s bodies than painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

The legislation has won over former opponents like Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, who is hardly a wild-eyed liberal.

Many Kentuckians cling to old ideas about law and order, and the “wacky weed” is still part of that ethos. But this bill would not allow people to grow and sell marijuana, no matter how much sense it might make for Kentucky. That’s another issue for another time. During this session, the House has passed a bill appropriating $2 million to create a cannabis research center in Kentucky to explore all the issues, perceived and real, with cannabis.

But enough research has been done on medical marijuana. For now, the Senate leadership should wrangle the votes to pass House Bill 136 and send it to the governor. It simply gives doctors and patients more options to live with less pain. Surely that’s something we can all agree on.

This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 12:15 PM.