Ludlow is joining in on the conversation about medical marijuana in Kentucky.
During Thursday’s city council meeting, Mayor Chris Wright discussed the benefits and drawbacks of legalizing medical cannabis. This discussion comes after the passage of House Bill 829, which legalized the sale of medical marijuana in the state.
Wright announced that Planning and Developing Services of Kenton County is going to present about medical cannabis at the May caucus meeting.
Wright said at the meeting that there are usually two main reasons people are against legalizing medical cannabis: the smell and the risk of drivers driving under the influence.
He said that the smell of cannabis is not an issue since it will only be used for medical purposes in its ingestible form or essential oils.
As for people being concerned about impaired driving, that would be illegal just like alcohol or any other drug, Wright said.
Legalization of medical cannabis could bring in tax revenue, he said.
“So I’m hoping as we continue to learn more about it, we would have a better idea of what it might bring in but right now I think we’re all just in the fact-finding portion of it,” Wright said. “I’m happy that the General Assembly has made this happen and they’ve passed medical cannabis so that the people that can benefit from it, have access to it.”
The city council needs to evaluate whether moving forward with industrial cultivation, a commercial dispensary or allowing it in pharmacies is the right thing for Ludlow, said Wright.