A bill introduced today in the Kentucky legislature, House Bill 571, would expand the state’s medical marijuana law.
If enacted, the measure would allow registered patients aged 18 and older to cultivate up to three mature plants and three seedlings on private property they own. Caregivers could grow the same amount for each patient under their care.
The bill eliminates any requirement for patients or caregivers to register with the state for home cultivation. Additionally, marijuana grown under this provision would not be subject to the potency limits that apply to commercially sold products. However, the legislation maintains strict restrictions on transfers, prohibiting patients and caregivers from selling or giving marijuana plants or products to anyone else. Those who violate this provision could face prosecution under state law.
House Bill 571 would also add new qualifying medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, Crohn’s disease, neuropathies, severe arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and sickle cell disease. It also ensures that any form of cancer, regardless of stage, qualifies for treatment. The bill further authorizes the Kentucky Center for Cannabis to add conditions based on scientific evidence.
Kentucky legalized medical marijuana on March 31, 2023, when Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law. The program, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, allows patients with qualifying conditions to obtain marijuana from licensed dispensaries. The law prohibits smoking marijuana but permits the use of tinctures, oils, edibles, and other non-smokable forms.
If passed, HB 571 would significantly broaden patient access to medical marijuana, with supporters arguing it would improve affordability and availability for those in need.
