Kentucky Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into Law, Joining 40 Other States 

On Friday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear kept his earlier promise and signed a bill into law that legalizes medical marijuana in the state. With this move, Kentucky joins 40 other states that have already legalized medical cannabis to some extent. The signing came the day after the Republican-dominated state House passed Senate Bill 47 on a 66-33 vote.

I have been pushing for medical cannabis and sports betting for years. Today, I signed these two bills into law. Team Kentucky delivers and we get results. Congrats, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/mwkNjIBRA7

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 31, 2023

The new law is expected to take effect no earlier than January 1, 2025. Despite being considered relatively restrictive, with a short list of qualifying conditions and a ban on home cultivation and smoking for patients, the legalization of medical marijuana in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home state is still seen as a significant political victory.

Kentucky is already a leading producer of hemp products, and the new law permits cultivation with canopy sizes ranging from 2,500 to 50,000 square feet, with no license caps. Governor Beshear’s signature follows an executive order he issued last fall, which allowed Kentucky residents to legally possess medical marijuana products obtained in other states, provided they could provide proof of legal purchase.