A group of Kenton County mayors that meets monthly discussed Saturday what to do about a new law that allows Kentuckians to use medically regulated cannabis for certain conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain and seizure disorders among others.
“This is coming in your direction,” said Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette at the meeting. “It’s only a matter of time before somebody asks you about this.”
Senate Bill 47 enabled the regulation of medical marijuana statewide and established the administration of such regulation under the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services. As such, the state is responsible for issuing certifications to businesses and professionals to grow, sell and prescribe the cannabis.
Although the bill established these processes at the state level, it’s up to cities and counties to decide whether to allow and regulate cannabis for medical purposes or prohibit it.
The law takes effect in 2025.
Fette described the issue as a “political hot potato,” fearing that that governing bodies would be hesitant to confront the new regulations. For her own part, she said that at least one Erlanger-based medical professional had approached her to express his desire for allowing medical cannabis practice in her city. She did not share the person’s identity.
Cities can either establish medical cannabis’ regulation or prohibition through local ordinance or put it to a popular vote. If allowed, cities would then be responsible for determining where and how many dispensaries could operate in their jurisdictions, which would entail new zoning regulations. Medical cannabis won’t be taxed, but dispensaries would have to pay a regulatory fee similar to a liquor license.
The issue is particularly salient for Kenton County, given that it has 19 cities in addition to its unincorporated county land. Members of the group were worried that cannabis regulations, including zoning, throughout the county would become fragmented and unpredictable.
“If we’re going to do it, be on the same page,” Fette said, explaining that it shouldn’t be “you go to Covington, and its one set of rules; and you go to Independence, and it’s one batch of rules. If you’re gonna allow it, let’s get together, let’s figure out an ordinance that’s going to work for all of us and be consistent.”
She added that “obviously, if you’re going to prohibit it … that’s fine.”
John Stanton, director of external affairs with Kenton County, suggested working with the Northern Kentucky Health Department to educate public officials on the law, medical cannabis’ uses and coherent methods for its regulation.
Others discussed working with the county’s planning and zoning services to establish consistent zoning recommendations.
Most of the attendees did not share their personal views on the issue, although Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman said that based on conversations he’d with state legislators, allowing and regulating medical cannabis’s use seemed to be a good thing.
“The medical evidence is ample for the benefits it provides for certain conditions,” Reinersman said.
Fette, who serves at the chair of the group, invited the attendees to contact her if they wanted to put together a working group to hammer out a plan for consistent regulations throughout the county.
The next meeting of the Kenton County Mayors Group will take place on Aug. 19 at the City of Ludlow’s General Offices on Elm Street.