Cannabis in Kentucky

Adult-use cannabis is illegal.
A medical cannabis program was legalized by legislation in 2023.



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Sen. Mitch McConnell - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Introduced the Hemp Farming Bill of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)

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Sen. Rand Paul - R

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the STATES Act of 2019, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Bill of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
  • Introduced an amendment that would prevent the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2018)
  • Introduced an amendment that would allow banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2018)
  • Cosponsored the STATES ACT, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, and end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy and end the federal prohibition of CBD.
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses.
  • Sen. Paul said there should be no federal laws prohibiting marijuana. (2016)
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2015, which would have prevented the government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy, moved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II, ended the federal prohibition of CBD, allowed banks to provide services to legal cannabis businesses, and allowed VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015, which would have ended the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2015)

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Rep. James Comer (KY-1) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
  • Introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2017)
  • Told an American Family Association survey that he strongly opposes legalizing and regulating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco. (2016)

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Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-2) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. Morgan McGarvey (KY-3) - D

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
  •  Quote: “I support full legalization and decriminalization of marijuana at the federal level. Full legalization will not only create economic growth and tax revenue from a new, booming industry for Kentucky – it will also decrease our prison population, save millions in taxpayer dollars spent on incarceration, and undo decades of racist, unnecessary criminal convictions. Even though white and Black populations use marijuana at the same rates, Black people are exponentially more likely to be incarcerated for the same crime. Any bill that legalizes marijuana must also ensure that the legalization process commutes sentences and expunged convictions of low level offenders, and that profits from marijuana go to the communities most harmed by unfair drug laws and policing practices.” (2022)
  • Quote: …I wrote the Let’s Grow Bill, which stands for legalize, expunge, treat & tax marijuana, and legalizing marijuana in Kentucky is something we absolutely should do… We shouldn’t make cancer patients criminals, who are using cannabis so that they can eat… There are certain things that need to happen federally… the legalization of marijuana is one of those. It is something that we’ve got to do. There is an element of criminal justice reform… in legalizing marijuana and the expungement of it, not to mention the revenue it can generate for states and for the country. I’ve been in favor of it on the state level, I’m going to push for it on the federal level.” (2022)
  • As a Kentucky State Senator, cosponsored KY SB118, which would have legalized cannabis for medical use. (2018)

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Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-4) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the STATES ACT, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, and end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
  • Cosponsored the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy and ends the federal prohibition of CBD. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the Charlotte’s Web Medical Access Act of 2017, which would end the federal prohibition of CBD. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2017)
  • Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2015, which would have prevented the government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy, moved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II, ended the federal prohibition of CBD, allowed banks to provide services to legal cannabis businesses, and allowed VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)

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Rep. Harold Rogers (KY-5) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. Andy Barr (KY-6) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Gov. Andy Beshear - D

Supports Adult Use Legalization In Their State

  • Governor Beshear signed an executive order legalizing the possession and use of medical cannabis in Kentucky for those who are eligible – so long as the cannabis was purchased legally outside of the state and is less than 8 ounces. (2022)

  • Replying to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, Governor Beshear said that the state administration has “taken the last seven days to go over what it means federally and then to look at the correlating state statutes.” adding that he has asked the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts to conduct an analysis to determine how many Kentuckians have misdemeanor marijuana charges on their records and the possible impact of pardons. (2022)

  • Governor Beshear said: “No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.” (2022)
  • Expressing an openness to broader, adult-use legalization, Beshear said: “This is the future. It’s where things are going. It’s time we joined so many other states in doing the right thing.” (2021)
  • Supports legalizing medical marijuana. (2019)
  • Quote: “No one who is caught simply possessing marijuana should ever go to jail, or should ever go to prison but lets talk bigger than that you know drug possession generally us is if they’re serious drugs should end in treatment not in jail.” (2019)

Take Action in Kentucky

Connect with a NORML chapter in Kentucky

CLICK HERE

Connect with an Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter in Kentucky

CLICK HERE

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