Looking to ensure Kentucky takes the right steps should it ever choose to legalize medical marijuana, House Speaker Greg Stumbo met today with the House Health and Welfare Committee to discuss ideas on how the state should proceed.
Many of Speaker Stumbo’s suggestions are contained in his House Bill 3, but given the ongoing discussion and the desire for more information, he said he favored giving the committee more time in the months ahead to find a way forward as Kentucky considers whether to join the nearly two dozen other states that have taken this step.
“I filed this legislation after talking with many families in my House district who say they have seen the health benefits this brought their children when they traveled to other states where medical marijuana is legal,” said Speaker Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. “I know there are many other groups who would be helped as well, which is why I believe the time has come for a greater dialog on this issue. Whatever we do, we need to make sure the guidelines are strict and strongly enforced. As a former Attorney General and a long-time legislator who has dedicated my political career to fighting drug abuse, I want make sure this medicine only goes to those in need.”
With that goal in mind, House Bill 3 proposed to only let trained doctors order the use of medical marijuana. No smoking would be allowed, which is the same approach taken by such other states as New York, Minnesota and Florida.
The legislation also would require that a Kentucky pharmacist be on staff at all medical marijuana dispensaries. “These are the experts who are trained, licensed and regulated to handle other drugs,” Speaker Stumbo said. “Pharmacists will answer patient questions and ensure professional service.” Pharmacist Alyson Claywell Roby of Bardstown joined Speaker Stumbo during the committee meeting to discuss how that would be carried out.
The medical conditions that would be covered under HB 3 include post traumatic stress disorder, to help veterans who may need this assistance; and those addicted to drugs. The Journal of the American Medical Association recently published a study showing that states with medical marijuana saw a 25 percent reduction in opiod overdose rates.
“Few states if any have been hit as hard as Kentucky has when it comes to drug abuse tied to heavy painkillers and now heroin,” Speaker Stumbo said. “This approach would give us another tool to reduce those numbers and to save lives.”
Another key provision of the bill is an extension of last year’s law authorizing the study of CBD oil, which is derived from plants in the marijuana family. Since its passage, no reliable source of the oil has been found, negating its potential medical benefits. House Bill 3 proposed to remedy that by regulating the growing of hemp and marijuana to provide a source for the oil.
“Since Kentucky already has authorization to grow hemp in pilot projects, and we need CBD oil, we could look to Kentucky’s farmers to provide the raw material we need,” Speaker Stumbo said. Testifying in support of that provision was Deb McGrath, director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentucky.
House Bill 3 proposes naming any law in this area the Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Act. “Gatewood and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but I think he helped enlighten Kentuckians on what medical marijuana can do,” Speaker Stumbo said. “He certainly helped enlighten me, and I only wish he could have lived long enough to see a measure like this pass. Honoring him in this way seems like the least we could do in tribute.”
From the Office of the Kentucky House Speaker