Kentucky Democrats in the state House and Senate are looking to adopt adult-use cannabis reforms with the introduction of two similar proposals, Senate Bill 36 and House Bill 105, which seek to put the legalization question to voters on the next general election ballot in 2026, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.
If approved by voters, the ballot initiative would legalize the use and possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and establish a regulated marketplace for cannabis products. Additionally, cannabis homegrows of up to five plants would be allowed for personal use. The bills were filed during the first week of the state’s legislative session, shortly after the legalization of medical cannabis took effect in the state on January 1.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. David Yates (D), supports legalizing adult-use cannabis as he believes regulation would be safer and would provide more public benefits from a tax perspective. However, he sees the ballot initiative as something that could be more palatable for some of their fellow lawmakers.
“It also gives some of those politicians cover if they need it. They get to say that they’re not going to make a decision on [the bills], but they’re going to let their constituents vote, and I think that may be a faster way to be able to move forward.” — Yates, via the Courier-Journal
Last November, Kentucky voters in over 100 cities and counties considered ballot initiatives to allow local medical cannabis operations. In each case, voters passed the initiatives with overwhelming support.
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