Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — If a bill legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t reach his desk, Gov. Andy Beshear says he’s ready to consider taking action himself to give some ailing Kentuckians access to

medicinal cannabis.

The Democratic governor’s comments Thursday reflected his growing frustration as the latest medical marijuana bill is currently stalled in the state Senate.

Asked if he could potentially issue an executive order making medical marijuana accessible if the bill dies, the governor told reporters: “We’re going to explore that.”

“It’s something that we will look at,” he said. “Its time has certainly come.”

But the governor called on lawmakers to send him a bill that would allow Kentucky to join the majority of states that legalized medical marijuana.

The high-profile Kentucky measure cleared the Hous e on a 59-34 vote last month but it has made no headway in the Senate. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers.

The bill would strictly regulate the use of cannabis for a list of eligible medical conditions. Beshear said the measure has overwhelming support among Kentuckians.

“You see people from every part of every spectrum that are in favor of this,” Beshear said.

The bill’s prospects appear to be bleak in the Senate. [Read More @ The Associated Press]