Kentucky Senator Proposes "Cannabis Freedom Act", Legalizing Both Medicinal and Recreation
Senator Perry Clark (D), of Louisville, has advocated for the legalization of medical marijuana since last season- debunking myths and pushing for compasionate medicine in the state. Friday he filed a bill allowing both medicinal and recreational cannabis in Kentucky.
The “Cannabis Freedom Act” would regulate the use of cannabis just as the state regulates alcohol, taking after many other states that have legalized recreational marijuana.
Clark has talked extensively in the Senate and legislative committees about the benefits and regulation of marijuana, exemplifying their saftey in pain managment over opiates- which, as we know, Kentucky has a problem with.
Following the MENSA event back in early July, Clark told The State Journal that he wanted to have a meaningful conversation about the senseless prohibition of the plant, which Clark said, has been financially backed by alcohol and tobacco companies blocking the legislation in other states.
The “Cannabis Freedom Act” would end cannabis prohibition and regulate it's cultivation and sale akin to Colorado.
A brief overview on key points on the "Cannabis Freedom Act": it would only be available to residents 21 and over;
• residents could possess up to 1 ounce on their person;
•cultivate up to 5 plants;
• store an excess of cultivated cannabis for personal use where it was cultivated or transfer 1 ounce to another person 21 or older without breaking the law.
• persons under 21 could possess cannabis if it was recommended by a licensed physician;
• no smoking of cannabis in public places
Other parts of the regulatory framework would also ensure that only those 21 and older can enter cannabis related buildings (ie. dispensaries, places where cannabis paraphenelia may be sold).
Clark’s bill would actually maximize certain penalties: unlawful possession at $250 and a $500 fine for illegally growing marijuana on a property without the property owner’s permission.
“It is abundantly clear to me that cannabis, while being much less harmful, should be treated the same as alcohol,” Clark said in a release. “The Cannabis Freedom Act is an outline on how to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older in Kentucky. It is time for this discussion in our Commonwealth.”
The act uses a tiered lisencing system similar to Colorado that seperates cultivators, processors, and retailers in order to prevent monopolization and vertical integration.
Clark states that tax revenues would go to a closed fund to increase SEEK financing for the state’s public schools and provide scholarships to Kentucky students who qualify for needs-based assistance to both public and post-secondary schools (in Kentucky). Revenues would also help fund evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs, equipment to local law enforcement, and provide additional revenue to the state’s general fund.
During the 30-day session, Clark brought up the many medicinal studies, and medical benefits of cannabis and it's components, daily within the Senate.
*Article source information and photo referenced from The State Journal. The article can be found here.
*The opinions within this article are that of the Author and do not represent the stances, opinions, or values of The Botany Bay
