It’s still unclear if any cannabis legislation will pass the Kentucky General Assembly this session. However, in the meantime, Northern Kentucky Rep. Kim Moser (R-Taylor Mill) introduced legislation that will see Kentucky Center for Cannabis Research, which passed the House on March 17.
House Bill 604 puts in place a commission that will study cannabis and cannabis derivatives for treating medical conditions and diseases.
“This convenes researchers and scholars from across the state on this issue so we can reduce bottlenecks in the research and regulatory processes,” Moser said. “Our goal is to figure out what conditions cannabis can treat, and by doing so, make Kentucky a national leader in research, since only one other university has a similar program.”
The University of Kentucky will operate the commission, as it already has ties to the Federal Drug Administration.
In voting against House Bill 136, the medical cannabis bill with the most hope to move through the session, even though it’s currently stalled in the Senate, Moser said she had received feedback from doctors who don’t yet know how to dose and prescribe it.
“I want cannabis products to be dispensed and dosed and to really understand the qualifying medical conditions that it can help with,” Moser said. “We need to know what the drug interactions are. I think research will allow for the study of cannabis or CBD to really fully understand the differences.”
While Moser voted against House Bill 136, Northern Kentucky Rep. Rachel Roberts (D-Newport) voted for the bill but noted it’s pretty restricted.
“136 is a medical-only cannabis bill, which would allow certain people with very limited diagnoses to access cannabis as medicine and also in very limited ways,” Roberts said. “No one could grow it at home. No one could smoke flower.”
Roberts introduced the L.E.T.T.S grow cannabis bill earlier in the session, which would legalize recreational cannabis in the commonwealth.
“Our legislation is the comprehensive plan that Kentuckians deserve, and it builds on what has worked in other states while avoiding their mistakes,” Roberts said when introducing the legislation in February. “This would be a boon for our economy and our farmers alike.”
Speaking to LINK nky on the Frankfort LINK live on March 17, Sen. John Schickel (R-Union) said he doesn’t think there’s enough time in this session to get a Senate vote. The bill also died in the Senate last year.