The Bluegrass State may soon join the current 17 states with approved medical cannabis for patients with serious medical conditions, and the bill has gained support from a Senator who argues the compassion is necessary for families in need.
Louisville Senator Perry B. Clark has pre-filed legislation which would allow patients in need to legally purchase medical marijuana in the state of Kentucky. Much like other states currently offering medical cannabis to approved candidates, patients will able to possess a legal amount to treat conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other approved serious medical conditions.
The senator wants to gain serious support for the bill and he doesn’t take this act as a grain of salt. According to TokeofTown.com Senator Clark is pushing an early 2013 legislative session to get patients their much needed medication, and quoted him as stating:
“This is not a conservative issue or a liberal issue; it’s an issue of compassion,” argued Senator Clark. “Countless studies show that marijuana is effective at treating pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and other symptoms. If it was my family member, I would do anything to relieve their suffering. This is not about legalizing marijuana. It’s about getting government out of healthcare, and putting science in.”
Patients have already began to welcome the senator’s message and have started their campaigns to support and educate the public about medical cannabis in order to gain momentum for the legislation. But the Bluegrass State won’t be alone in their efforts, others states like Arkansas and Massachusetts have their medical marijuana legislation the the ballot and up for vote this November. Is it possible that we will see half of the U.S. with medical marijuana support by the end of this year? Current trends are suggesting yes.
In addition to the growing number of medical marijuana states, a few states including Washington, Ohio and Colorado are going to be voting on legalizing marijuana for all uses. These laws will push for true decriminalization of cannabis in the U.S. in an attempt to stop the dangers of prohibition.
This November is huge for marijuana and medical cannabis rights across the U.S. as several new bills make the ballots this year for both medical marijuana laws and cannabis decriminalization. The recent attention in support of this currently demonized plant has forced politicians and local governments to rethink their “Reefer Madness” viewpoint on cannabis as legal medical marijuana programs push their way towards winning over half of the country, but still the federal government fights it at every step.
But growing support from local politicians, senators, governors and presidential candidates such as Ron Paul, may slowly put an end to this ridiculous waste of money and enforcement for cannabis users from medical to recreation.
David Joseph
