The governor of Kentucky has personally awarded the state’s first medical marijuana patient cards—and he’s also calling on the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation to advance legislation protecting their constitutional right to own firearms.
During a briefing on Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) provided an update on the implementation of Kentucky’s medical cannabis law, ceremonially inviting a doctor and former teacher to the podium to accept the state’s first-ever patient cards. They were two of 2,200 people to initially receive the registration.
“We’ve taken some incredible strides to make medical cannabis a reality in Kentucky,” the governor said, noting the state’s progress in licensing marijuana businesses and certifying hundreds of doctors to issue cannabis recommendations to qualifying patients.
“I’m pleased today to announce we’ve hit another major milestone for our program,” he said. “Today we’re going to issue the first two medical cannabis cards to Dr. Ryan Grell and Merissa Khumalo.”
Beshear then said that, “as we enter this new era, I want to ensure that every Kentucky is treated fairly regardless of what lawful medication they choose for their condition.” And that means pushing to have a federal rule change that ends the policy of denying Second Amendment rights to people operating in compliance with state marijuana laws.
The governor said he sent a letter on Wednesday to Kentucky’s congressional delegation, “urging them to take decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of our law abiding medical cannabis patients.”
“Currently, law abiding citizens who elect to participate in state legalized medical cannabis programs like Kentucky’s have their Second Amendment rights to purchase or possess a firearm impacted,” he said. “No law abiding Kentuckian—or American for that matter— should have to choose between a constitutional right like the Second Amendment and getting the medication that they need.”
Beshear specifically implored the congressional delegation to introduce legislation “to address this issue and to protect the constitutional rights of Kentuckians and of all Americans.”
This comes after bipartisan Kentucky senators filed legislation that similarly calls on the state’s federal representatives to take corrective action, which Beshear said he supports but would like to see even more sweeping change on the federal level.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents late last year that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.
“There should not be a loss of a right within our Bill of Rights simply for choosing a legalized system of medication that is best for you. As this program grows, I’ll continue to put our people first,” the governor said. “I hope you can see from this, this is not about moving left to right. It’s about moving forward, making sure people get what they need, make sure they’re treated fairly and never penalized for taking part in a program like this that can help.”
“When I ran for governor, it was my goal to provide health care access to Kentuckians, especially access that ensures the vulnerable the freedom to choose medical cannabis as an alternative to dangerous and addictive opioids,” he said.
As far as the implementation of the state’s medical cannabis law goes, Beshear said in his State of the Commonwealth address this month that patients will have access to cannabis sometime “this year.”
The measure establishing Kentucky’s medical cannabis program, SB 47, was signed into law in March 2023 and took effect at the beginning of this month.
Hundreds of Kentuckians have so far applied for a medical card through an online portal that launched this month, the governor said in recent comments. He also shared tips for patients to find a doctor and get registered to participate in the cannabis program.
Health practitioners have been able to start assessing patients for recommendations since the beginning of December, and thousands of Kentuckians have sought out such consultations in the weeks since.
While there currently aren’t any up-and-running dispensaries available to patients, Beshear further affirmed that an executive order he signed in 2023 will stay in effect in the interim, protecting patients who possess medical cannabis purchased at out-of-state licensed retailers.
During the November election, Kentucky also saw more than 100 cities and counties approve local ordinances to allow medical cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The governor said the election results demonstrate that “the jury is no longer out” on the issue that is clearly supported by voters across partisan and geographical lines.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
The post Kentucky Governor Personally Awards State’s First Medical Marijuana Cards And Pushes Congress To End Gun Ban For Patients appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
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