FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order on Tuesday that will allow Kentuckians who obtain medical marijuana in states where it is legal to possess and use it in the Bluegrass State, beginning Jan. 1.

“Kentuckians suffering from chronic and terminal conditions are going to be able to get the treatment they need without living in fear of a misdemeanor,” Gov. Beshear said. “With 37 states already legalizing medical cannabis and 90 percent of Kentucky adults supporting it, I am doing what I can to provide access and relief to those who meet certain conditions and need it to better enjoy their life, without pain.”

Under the governor’s order, Kentuckians will be able to possess up to 8 ounces of properly prescribed and purchased medical marijuana, as long as they have been diagnosed with one of 21 qualifying conditions.

• Cannabis must be bought in the United States of America in a state where the purchase is legal and regulated. Kentuckians will need to keep their receipt.
• The amount a person can purchase and possess at any one time must not exceed 8 ounces, which is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Kentucky.
• Each Kentuckian must also have a certification from a licensed health care provider that shows that the individual has been diagnosed with at least one of 21 medical conditions. A copy of the certification must be retained.

Those with medical marijuana must save their receipts and a doctor’s order to prove that the marijuana was properly prescribed and purchased.

Qualifying conditions include:

• cancer
• amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• epilepsy
• intractable seizures
• Parkinson’s disease
• Crohn’s disease
• multiple sclerosis
• sickle cell anemia
• severe and chronic pain
• post traumatic stress disorder
• cachexia or wasting syndrome
• neuropathies
• severe arthritis
• hepatitis C
• fibromyalgia
• intractable pain
• muscular dystrophy
• Huntington’s disease
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• glaucoma
• a terminal illness

The governor also signed a second executive order which will regulate the sale of Delta 8 in the state.

“Right now, there are no checks on how it is packaged and sold. We must establish a regulatory structure to ensure that Delta 8 is sold and purchased safely in the commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “The structure can and will also serve as a template for when the General Assembly fully legalizes medical cannabis. That means we can learn in real-time, train our people and be ready to go.”