Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is adding his support to a federal proposal that seeks to loosen marijuana restrictions.
On Wednesday, Beshear sent a letter to Ann Milgram, administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, expressing his support of a recommendation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substance Act.
The act is a statute establishing federal U.S. drug policy, where all substances are placed into one of five schedules.
Schedule I defines marijuana as a drug with a high potential of abuse and has no currently accepted medical uses. Under Schedule III, marijuana would be labeled with a moderate or low potential for “physical and psychological independence,” according to the DEA’s website.
In a press release, Beshear said rescheduling the drug would help patients have an alternative to opioids and access to safe cannabis products.
“The jury is no longer out on marijuana: It has medical uses and is currently being used for medical purposes,” Beshear said in the release. “The recognition is overwhelming – and bipartisan. For example, I signed a medical marijuana law that passed with support from Republican legislative supermajorities and a Democratic Governor.”
In Kentucky, medical cannabis was legalized last year when Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law.
Prior to the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, only Kentuckians who met certain criteria were allowed to use small amounts of cannabis to treat their medical conditions.
The new Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, established by the law, will regulate the legal cultivation, production, sale and use of marijuana. Currently, the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis is accepting applications for cannabis business licenses through Aug. 31.
Kentucky’s Office of Drug Control Policy, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities were also all listed in the letter as supporters for rescheduling.
Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at@hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
