UPDATE:
February 13, 2020–In August 2019, State Representative Jason Nemes was optimistic about the potential success of a bill he co-sponsored. This bill, House Bill 136, would legalize marijuana for medicinal use in Kentucky.
Yesterday (Wednesday, February 12, 2020), HB 136 passed the House Judiciary Committee 17-1. The bill now moves on to the House of Representatives, where Nemes expects it to pass.
“We won the battle in the House committee,” Nemes said. “It’s almost, pretty much over in the House of Representatives. Now we’ve got to let our senators understand where you are and educate them on the bill.” – Jason Nemes1
Sources & Helpful Links
- Desroches, Daniel. February 12, 2020. Medical Marijuana bill clears KY House panel, gains momentum heading into House vote. Lexington Heard Leader. Retrieved from: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article240232736.html
Kentucky House Bill 136
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/20rs/hb136.html
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August 16, 2019 –Kentucky politicians are and have been optimistic about the legal status of marijuana within their state. “State Rep. Jason Nemes of Louisville predicts medical marijuana will be legal in Kentucky within the next year. The Louisville Republican has co-sponsored a bill that he believes addresses most of the past concerns about medical marijuana…’ Fundamentally, we’re going to have, I believe, medical marijuana in Kentucky within the next year,’ said Nemes. ‘I strongly believe that.’” [1]
Mr. Nemes was a little off on his prediction. We are fast approaching the one-year mark from when Mr. Nemes made this prediction. Kentucky has moved closer, and many are sure the legislation will pass in the upcoming session. The community of Louisville has agreed that possession of small quantities of marijuana shouldn’t be a priority for law enforcement. [2]
Jason Nemes is co-sponsor of House Bill 136, legislation to legalize and regulate marijuana for medicinal use in Kentucky. In March of 2019, the House Judiciary Committee approved this bill almost unanimously [3].
This bill proposes that a new organization be formed within the powers of state government to regulate the medicinal marijuana industry, ‘The Department for Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control’. While there is no legislation to review as of yet, it would appear that their requirements and guidelines for facilities will mirror those of Michigan and Illinois. Why not mirror your midwestern neighbors if their system is working efficiently?
A recent story posted by High Times, indicates that even though cannabis remains illegal in Kentucky, the state has the highest per capita rate of plants destroyed by the DEA. Approximately 80 percent of voters in the State of Kentucky favor reform or legalization of cannabis and marijuana plants and products. Kentucky house bill HB 136 would provide for improved access for medicinal marijuana. Security plans and requirements have yet to be released or published as of this article.
In other news, Hempwood and hemp processing facilities are up and running in Murray, Kentucky
KL Security is able to help at all levels of the supply chain:
Deter Diversion & Theft with Security Planning and Cannabis Facility Design Standards
Reinforced Vault Rooms & Custom Vaults of All Sizes
Smart Cash Management Safes & CashControl Software
- Ideal for Retail Dispensaries in Kentucky, Growers & Cash Businesses
Bulletproof Glass, Doors and Retail Dispensary Design & Build
Security Cameras, Recorders and Software for Surveillance and Cash in Transit
[1] Lawmaker says medical marijuana will be legal in Ky. ‘within the next year’. (2018, August 24). Retrieved from: https://www.wdrb.com/news/lawmaker-says-medical-marijuana-will-be-legal-in-ky-within/article_62e82cd3-ef4a-5491-a7de-f5dd13a6ac82.html
[2] Costello, Darcy. (2019, June 19) “Louisville is moving closer to telling police not to prioritize marijuana possession”. Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2019/06/19/louisville-moves-closer-effectively-decriminalizing-pot/1499214001/
[3] Cheves, John. (2019, March 6) Medical marijuana approved by Kentucky House panel. More legislative hurdles remain. Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved from: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article227177759.html
Helpful Links:
Code of Federal Regulations: Title 21
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=205.50
Kentucky House Bill 136
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/19rs/hb136.html
When you’re ready to begin the process of securing your facility, the consultants at KL Security are available to assist. Well versed in government regulations and recent legal mandates, we are prepared to ensure your business will pass requirements.
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Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. All license information and security measures taken directly from the Code of Federal Regulations: 21CFR205.50
Image source: http://thesource.com/2018/10/30/weed-marijuana-2018-midterm-elections/