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RICHMOND, Ky. – Medical marijuana will be legal in Kentucky on Jan. 1, 2025, and it has sparked both celebration and concern across the state.
Gov. Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 in March 2023, establishing Kentucky’s first medical cannabis program. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Kentuckians with cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other qualifying medical conditions can apply for a medical marijuana card.
Kentucky will be one of 13 states that has legalized marijuana strictly for medical use. Medical marijuana is seen as a versatile drug that can benefit patients more than other treatments. Marijuana can help maintain seizures for people suffering from epilepsy, reducing chronic pain, and bringing an appetite to cancer patients suffering from cachexia, according to the CDC.
Drug problems in Kentucky are a pertinent issue, with the commonwealth being ranked as the state with the sixth highest drug overdose death rate in the country, according to the CDC. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has concluded that marijuana is much more low risk than opioids and other addictive drugs, as it is much less addictive. There is also no lethal dose for marijuana, while tens of thousands of people overdose annually due to opioids.
In November, voters in 53 counties and 53 cities in Kentucky cast ballots on whether medical cannabis businesses should be permitted to operate there. 341,766 people cast yes votes, which made for a staggering 67% votes to approve.
Taylor Stacy, an 18-year-old general biology major attending Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), is in support of medical marijuana becoming legalized.
“I know medical marijuana can help people in constant pain or with disorders like my mom’s, which cause insomnia and difficulty relaxing or resting.” Stacy said. “I feel like people shouldn’t have to suffer through that because somebody decided to make it illegal.”
Although a large number of Kentuckians support medical marijuana coming to the commonwealth, some have expressed concerns about its potential risks, including law enforcement officers and medical experts.
Wes Troutman, member of the Louisville Metro Police Department’s narcotics major case unit and Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer, is not in favor of the change.
“I think most of those states that have legalized medical and recreational use have seen an increase in use by adolescents,” said Troutman. “Which can snowball into early addiction problems, especially in children that aren’t fully developed yet.”
Although Troutman, a DEA task force officer, draws on his law enforcement background, research on this subject paints a conflicting image. A 2020 NIDA report found no discernible increase in teen marijuana use in states that legalized the drug for recreational use. Other research, however, indicates that in some areas, youth attitudes and experimentation may be influenced by the perception of marijuana’s lower risks. To conclusively connect legalization with a rise in teen use, more investigation is required. According to the National Library of Medicine, adolescents who use marijuana are more likely to progress to other substances and develop substance use disorders in later life. NIDA found that early marijuana use is associated with a higher risk—two to five times greater—of experimenting with harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin. This connection is frequently discussed in terms of how marijuana affects the developing brain and its potential as a “gateway” substance.
“In my opinion, if we legalize medical marijuana, we’re inching our way toward recreational use. I see it as a slippery slope,” Troutmain said. “I don’t see it being something that ends up being great for public safety. You have to look at the potential bad effects it can have on our children, communities, and public safety in general.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics also believes that the most important factor in the legalization of medical marijuana should be the risks for children. A recent analysis of four large epidemiological trials found that marijuana use during adolescence is associated with lower odds of high school completion and degree attainment, as well as increases in the use of other illicit drugs and suicide attempts, in a dose-dependent fashion.
The National Safety Council (NSC) recently conducted a survey titled Understanding Cannabis in the Workplace. In the study, it was found that one-third of employees have witnessed the use of cannabis or CBD products during work hours.
Dr. Joy Goins, certified registered nurse anesthetist and a neuroendocrine cancer patient, expressed concern about professionals working under the influence.
“Would you want your police officer to be high? Would you want your doctor to be high? Would you want your dentist to be high … Do you want the fireman to be high?” she asked.
Even with Dr. Goins’ years of experience in the medical field, she also is concerned that medical marijuana will harm Kentucky. When asked about her status as a cancer patient who is strongly opposed to medical marijuana becoming legal in Kentucky, she offered alternatives she has used in her own experience.
“For nausea, I’ve tried several options, including Compazine, Ondansetron, and scopolamine patches. Even smelling 70 percent alcohol can work as an antiemetic … I do think there’s a place for marijuana, but you can take pills; you don’t necessarily have to smoke it.”
During an in-person examination, applicants who are in-state qualified patients or minor qualified patients must receive an initial written certification from a licensed medical cannabis practitioner. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, eligible patients and designated caregivers can start applying online via the KYMedCan.ky.gov patient and caregiver registry portal. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services will also accept paper applications beginning on the same day.
For more information, visit the Kentucky Office Of Medical Cannabis website at kymedcan.ky.gov.
”}]] RICHMOND, Ky. – Medical marijuana will be legal in Kentucky on Jan. 1, 2025, and it has sparked both celebration and concern across the state. Read More
