Kentucky lawmakers are introducing bills to legalize the sale of adult-use cannabis and…lead the market?

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

“The General Assembly of Kentucky states and declares that it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to restrict the possession, cultivation, production, processing, packaging, transportation, testing, marketing, sale and use of medicinal products Legalize and regulate cannabis and adult use of cannabis,” says new legislation introduced Thursday by Kentucky Democrats to legalize the sale of cannabis to adults over the age of 21, establishing a medical marijuana program and overturn previous convictions, Marijuana Moment reported.

The new law would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana in public and up to 12 ounces in a private space.

Photo by Dad Grass via Unsplash

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The bills, SB 186 and HB 521, sponsored by Morgan McGarvey, Senator David Yates and Senate Minority Leader Rep. Rachel Roberts, aim to establish a Cannabis Control Board and the Department of Cannabis Control for day-to-day monitoring of cannabis operations such as establishing “various annual business licenses.”

In a news conference, Rep. Roberts called the legislation a “comprehensive plan that Kentucky residents deserve.”

McGarvey added, “Kentucky continues to fall behind in an area where we could lead. It’s 2022. It’s time to end cannabis prohibition in Kentucky.”

The bluegrass state is already a major hemp producer. According to the USDA’s latest hemp report, Kentucky has harvested about 1,400 acres of industrial hemp flora with one of the highest yields per acre, about 2,000 pounds, second only to Washington state.

Highlights of the new bills

The Cannabis Control Board would be responsible for overseeing and regulating the possession, cultivation, production, processing, packaging, transportation, marketing, testing, sale and use of cannabis products.

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In addition, the Board would determine the number of licenses that can be granted within a list of 25 license categories, including cultivation, processing and manufacture; testing; Retail trade; special events; on-site consumption; Transport; micro-enterprises; and “any other category deemed necessary by the Board” within the parameters of the new legislation.

In addition, the new legislation would expand funding for drug use disorder treatment and earmark a portion of local cannabis taxes to fund grant programs and grants for groups disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.

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