A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky picked up a key endorsement on Tuesday that supporters say increases the chances that it could be passed in both houses of the Kentucky legislature.Sen. Whitney Westerfield, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted late Tuesday night that he supports House Bill 136.The bill is Rep. Jason Nemes’ latest attempt at passing legislation that would legalize medical marijuana in the commonwealth. In 2020, Nemes sponsored a similar bill that received full approval in the House with close to 70% support.”Two years ago when it passed the House of Representatives it didn’t move in the Senate and that’s (partly) because Sen. Westerfield wasn’t a supporter,” Nemes said.Continuing coverage: Kentucky lawmakers introduce bill to legalize marijuana — medically and recreationallyIn his statement, Westerfield said, “I’ve heard too many stories, in my district and out, from those long-suffering and their loved ones left behind, that marijuana brought comfort and relief when nothing else worked.”According to Nemes, Westerfield’s endorsement increases the chances that the bill will make it to the full Senate for a vote.”It will go over to the Senate, it will be assigned to his committee and when you have the chairman in support that’s massive and so that’s why Whitney’s support is a game-changer,” Nemes said.Nemes has been working with Westerfield for the last 18 months crafting a bill he could get on board with. If passed, the bill would allow medical professionals to prescribe marijuana for qualifying conditions, including any type of cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and nausea. An amendment has also been added that would include PTSD as another qualifying condition.The bill prohibits the smoking of marijuana but would allow other forms of consumption, such as edibles, oils and pills.”It’s a tight bill — tighter than what I like, but it’s a very important bill that would bring these options to Kentucky patients who just want to be and feel better provided they have the consultation and recommendation of their physician,” Nemes said.Jamie Montalvo is executive director of Kentuckians for Medical Marijuana. He has been advocating for the passage of this legislation for years. He called Westerfield’s support is a big step forward.”I think it goes a long way in showing that the Senate is finally turning the corner and being more supportive of medical marijuana,” Montalvo said.Montalvo believes the bill makes it to the full Senate it will pass.”Just allow the vote to happen and let’s see if the majority is there because. I think the majority of both houses do support it,” Montalvo said.Nemes agreed.”I don’t know what the numbers are exactly in the Senate, but I have been meeting with Senators one on one and I feel really strong about the chances when we go over to the Senate,” Nemes said.The bill will be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Nemes expects the bill will pass and be taken up by the full House on Friday or Monday.
A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky picked up a key endorsement on Tuesday that supporters say increases the chances that it could be passed in both houses of the Kentucky legislature.
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted late Tuesday night that he supports House Bill 136.
“Two years ago when it passed the House of Representatives it didn’t move in the Senate and that’s (partly) because Sen. Westerfield wasn’t a supporter,” Nemes said.
Continuing coverage: Kentucky lawmakers introduce bill to legalize marijuana — medically and recreationally
In his statement, Westerfield said, “I’ve heard too many stories, in my district and out, from those long-suffering and their loved ones left behind, that marijuana brought comfort and relief when nothing else worked.”
According to Nemes, Westerfield’s endorsement increases the chances that the bill will make it to the full Senate for a vote.
“It will go over to the Senate, it will be assigned to his committee and when you have the chairman in support that’s massive and so that’s why Whitney’s support is a game-changer,” Nemes said.
Nemes has been working with Westerfield for the last 18 months crafting a bill he could get on board with. If passed, the bill would allow medical professionals to prescribe marijuana for qualifying conditions, including any type of cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and nausea. An amendment has also been added that would include PTSD as another qualifying condition.
The bill prohibits the smoking of marijuana but would allow other forms of consumption, such as edibles, oils and pills.
“It’s a tight bill — tighter than what I like, but it’s a very important bill that would bring these options to Kentucky patients who just want to be and feel better provided they have the consultation and recommendation of their physician,” Nemes said.
Jamie Montalvo is executive director of Kentuckians for Medical Marijuana. He has been advocating for the passage of this legislation for years. He called Westerfield’s support is a big step forward.
“I think it goes a long way in showing that the Senate is finally turning the corner and being more supportive of medical marijuana,” Montalvo said.
Montalvo believes the bill makes it to the full Senate it will pass.
“Just allow the vote to happen and let’s see if the majority is there because. I think the majority of both houses do support it,” Montalvo said.
Nemes agreed.
“I don’t know what the numbers are exactly in the Senate, but I have been meeting with Senators one on one and I feel really strong about the chances when we go over to the Senate,” Nemes said.
The bill will be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Nemes expects the bill will pass and be taken up by the full House on Friday or Monday.
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