A bill to give Kentucky residents access to medical marijuana could go up for a full state House vote as soon as this week.
The state’s House Judiciary Committee cleared the bill a 17-1 vote last week. Now, the full House is expected to vote on it and, if approved, it will head to the state Senate. Governor Andy Beshear has indicated he will sign the bill into law if it passes the Senate, which would make Kentucky the 34th state to allow medical use.
“[Kentucky is] a state that’s really been hit hard by the opioid epidemic and patients have been rallying and lobbying in Frankfort for many years imploring lawmakers to pass a medical cannabis law,” Marijuana Policy Project Legislative Analyst Matt Simon told Cheddar Tuesday.
Kentucky has the third-highest rate of opioid fatalities in the nation.
Simon said the bill would prohibit smoking cannabis, but would allow patients to purchase whole flower cannabis for other uses, like vaping and cooking into edibles, Simon said.
Some lawmakers initially thought the anti-smoking clause was too restrictive, but the compromise ultimately made it into the latest version of the bill.
Most GOP-controlled states have already imposed bans, including 14 at every stage of pregnancy.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is adding new rules for movies to qualify for Best Picture.
The second season of 'And Just Like That' kicked off amid mixed reviews.
The Paley Center in New York is holding an immersive exhibit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of 'Will & Grace.' Cheddar News took a peek at the exhibit to mark the anniversary and celebrate Pride month.
Owin Pierson, LGBTQ+ activist and mental health advocate, joined Cheddar News which Pride brands and products to purchase that support the LGBTQ+ movement ahead of celebrations this weekend and as anti-LTBGQ+ backlash is on the rise.
San Francisco put up the largest pink triangle on the city's Twin Peaks viewpoint ahead of its Pride celebration this weekend.
Kesha and producer Dr. Luke have settled a legal dispute from nearly a decade ago. Kesha had accused Dr. Luke of sexual assault and he countersued her for defamation.
Randy Wicker, a pioneer in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and who's serving as the grand marshal for New York City's Pride parade, sat down with Cheddar News to reflect on his years of activism and why he's doing it.
Police officers in South Carolina made sure that a birthday party for one little girl with cerebral palsy was extra special.
A rare Maurice Sendak picture story, originally a pamphlet for a 1970 museum fundraiser, will be coming out in book form next year.
