Kentucky Bill Would Put Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Question to Voters

A bill introduced in Kentucky would put an adult-use cannabis question to
voters, allowing possession of up to an ounce by adults 21 and older, and
home cultivation of up to five plants, WKYT reports. State Rep. Nima
Kulkarni (D) has previously introduced similar legislation, which did not
gain traction in the legislature, but said views on the cannabis issue in
the state have changed.

“You can’t forget the inherent fairness and the injustice of people in the
past have suffered because of the prohibitive nature of these laws.” —
Kulkarni to WKYT

In a statement to WKYT, a spokesperson for the state Republican party
called the bill “grandstanding” and “dead on arrival.”

“Kentucky Republicans and President [Donald] Trump have taken a responsible
approach by opening the door to the medical use of marijuana in Kentucky
and across the country,” the statement said, referring to a recent
executive order signed by the president that directs the federal government
to begin reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III
controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

The bill was introduced last Wednesday but so far it has not been assigned
to any chamber committees.

Medical cannabis sales in Kentucky commenced last month.