Kentucky Gov. Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into Law

The Bluegrass State is finally embracing the green.

On Friday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear officially signed Senate Bill 47, the bipartisan legislation that legalizes the use of medical marijuana. The bill secured its final passage on Thursday, after it passed the GOP-led House with a vote of 66-33. According to the Courier-Journal, the majority of Republicans voted in favor of SB 47, while only one Democrat voted against it.

The signing marks the end of a decades-long effort to legalize medical cannabis in the historically red state. Local outlets report the Kentucky House had passed two similar bills over the past three years, but the proposed measures were ultimately squashed once they hit the Senate, where they failed to secure enough support from conservative lawmakers. This year, however, the medical marijuana bill began in the Senate and was successfully approved this month by a notable margin.

“In November, I signed an executive order to help Kentuckians with certain medical conditions, like our veterans suffering from PTSD, find safe and effective relief through medical cannabis,” Beshear tweeted after Thursday’s vote in the house. “Today the General Assembly finally took action and passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis – something the majority of Kentuckians support. I am thankful this progress has been made.”

The Democratic governor signed the bill into law during a Friday morning ceremony, where he also signed House Bill 551, which legalized sports betting.

Under SB 47, an individual over 18 must have at least six medical conditions to receive their medical marijuana card. The conditions include chronic pain or nausea, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, as well as any type or form of cancer, regardless of its stage. Minors cannot obtain a card without assistance from a designated caregiver.

Kentucky’s medical marijuana program will reportedly go into effect in 2025.