Medicinal marijuana bill overwhelmingly passes in Kentucky House

The Kentucky House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a medicinal marijuana bill yesterday.

The House passed House Bill 136 by a vote of 65-30 after more than an hour of debate. The passage happened on the first time in Kentucky’s history that a medicinal marijuana bill came to the floor for a vote.

The bill sets numerous provisions, including ones for potential users, distribution locations and cultivators. The bi-partisan bill now goes to the Senate for consideration but will face an uphill battle in that chamber.

Senate President Robert Stivers has, in the past, expressed reservations about the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Under House Bill 136, smoking medicinal marijuana would still be illegal, and the drug would be dispensed in edible form.