Bipartisan support from a key Kentucky House Committee helped move forward a plan to legalize marijuana in the Bluegrass. By a vote of 16-1-1, the committee, voted to approve HB 136. On Wednesday, lawmakers heard testimony from people battling chronic pain and disease. Supporters say there's still enough time to sign it into law if leaders want it to happen. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, four out of five people who try heroin started with prescription opioids. Other studies have shown that states with legalized medicinal marijuana see prescription painkiller overdose rates at 25 percent lower than states that do not have not legalized medical marijuana.The bill includes regulations for growers, processors and dispensers. It would prohibit the smoking of marijuana for medical purposes, but it could be dispensed pills or oils. The bill now heads to the House.

Bipartisan support from a key Kentucky House Committee helped move forward a plan to legalize marijuana in the Bluegrass.

By a vote of 16-1-1, the committee, voted to approve HB 136. On Wednesday, lawmakers heard testimony from people battling chronic pain and disease. Supporters say there's still enough time to sign it into law if leaders want it to happen.


According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, four out of five people who try heroin started with prescription opioids. Other studies have shown that states with legalized medicinal marijuana see prescription painkiller overdose rates at 25 percent lower than states that do not have not legalized medical marijuana.

The bill includes regulations for growers, processors and dispensers.

It would prohibit the smoking of marijuana for medical purposes, but it could be dispensed pills or oils.

The bill now heads to the House.