The governor of Kentucky has personally awarded the state’s first medical marijuana patient cards—and he’s also calling on the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation to advance legislation protecting their constitutional right to own firearms.
In a Thursday briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear, (D), gave an update about the Kentucky medical cannabis law. He invited a former teacher and a physician to the podium for inauguration of the first patient cards in the state. The two were among the 2,200 who received their registration.
“We have made some amazing strides towards making medical cannabis available in Kentucky,” said the Governor, noting that hundreds of doctors are now certified to recommend cannabis to patients who qualify.
He said: “I am pleased to announce that we have reached another important milestone in our program.” Today, we will issue two of the first medical cannabis cards. They are Dr. Ryan Grell’s and Merissa Khumalo’s.
Beshear stated that “as this new age begins, I will ensure that all Kentucky residents are treated with fairness, no matter what legal medicine they take for their illness.” It means that we need to push for federal rules to end the denial of Second Amendment Rights to individuals who comply with state laws on marijuana.
On Wednesday, the governor sent a message to Kentucky’s congressional delegaion “urging” them to act decisively to protect constitutional rights for our medical marijuana patients who follow Kentucky law.
He stated that, “At the moment, law abiding citizens participating in medical cannabis programs legalized by states like Kentucky have to give up their Second Amendment rights of purchasing or owning a gun.” “No law abiding Kentuckian—or American for that matter— should have to choose between a constitutional right like the Second Amendment and getting the medication that they need.”
Beshear pleaded with the Congressional delegation “to protect the Constitutional rights of Kentuckians, and all Americans” to introduce legislation.
Gov. Andy Beshear is going to be making announcements today regarding the implementation and the medical marijuana program during Team Kentucky Update. Tune in at 12:30 pm ET to watch live on YouTube here: https://t.co/36g9SuuZIS
— Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis (@MedCanKY) January 30, 2025
Beshear has said that he is in support of the bipartisan Kentucky Senators who have filed legislation calling on federal officials to correct the situation. However, he would also like to see a more comprehensive change at the federal government level.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents late last year that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.
There should be no loss of rights in our Bill of Rights for selecting the legalized medicine that you feel is right for you. “As this program expands, I will continue to place our people before myself,” said the Governor. I hope that you will see, from what has been said here, that this isn’t about going left to right. This is about progress, ensuring people are given what they need and treated fairly.
When I ran for Governor, it was my aim to give Kentuckians access to quality health care. This included access that would allow the more vulnerable Kentuckians to opt to take medical cannabis instead of dangerous, addictive opioids.
Beshear, in his State of the Commonwealth Address this month, said that the medical marijuana law will be implemented sometime “this” year.
SB 47, the measure that established Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program, was passed into law on March 20, 2023. It took effect this month.
Hundreds of Kentuckians have so far applied for a medical card through an online portal that launched this month, the governor said in recent comments. He also shared tips for patients to find a doctor and get registered to participate in the cannabis program.
Health practitioners have been able to start assessing patients for recommendations since the beginning of December, and thousands of Kentuckians have sought out such consultations in the weeks since.
While there currently aren’t any up-and-running dispensaries available to patients, Beshear further affirmed that an executive order he signed in 2023 will stay in effect in the interim, protecting patients who possess medical cannabis purchased at out-of-state licensed retailers.
During the November election, Kentucky also saw more than 100 cities and counties approve local ordinances to allow medical cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The governor said the election results demonstrate that “the jury is no longer out” on the issue that is clearly supported by voters across partisan and geographical lines.
Donald Trump, Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Stand on Marijuana
Mike Latimer provided the photo.