The Bill

KY NORML

Matthew Bratcher, Executive Director for Kentucky’s official state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said his organization “commends Representative Kulkarni in her efforts to reform the cannabis possession laws in our commonwealth, and we encourage other legislators from both sides of the aisle to join her in making a difference in the lives of many of Kentuckians.”

Minorities for Medical Marijuana

C.J. Carter, Kentucky State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana, said: “We’re at the precipice of the opening of the cannabis industry here in Kentucky. This is indeed a dangerous moment in time for Black and Brown people. There’s a new multi-billion dollar industry that will soon open on both the Federal and State level while simultaneously, people who look like me remain criminalized behind bars and are once again being left out of the conversation. We now have the opportunity to write a different narrative in Kentucky that would benefit us first and foremost. The State of Kentucky and its history as it relates to cannabis owes a tremendous debt to the Black Community and that starts with this legislation that is being introduced by Rep. Kulkarni.”

Americans for Prosperity — Kentucky

Mike Conway, state director for Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky, said: “We applaud Rep. Kulkarni for introducing bills that would move Kentucky away from the harmful policies that have criminalized the use and possession of marijuana. Criminal enforcement of marijuana possession has unnecessarily brought thousands of Kentuckians into the criminal justice system while diverting law enforcement resources away from public safety priorities such as violent crime reduction.”

ACLU of Kentucky

“Although our organizations have different missions, we are united in the cause to de-criminalize cannabis. Because of outdated and ill-enforced laws, thousands of Kentuckians have lost time and opportunities due to criminal convictions, and thousands more have suffered needlessly because Kentucky blocks cannabis’ medicinal use. It is past time for the commonwealth to join the 36 other states that have removed most if not all of these barriers, which is why we are proud to add our name to those supporting Rep. Nima Kulkarni’s legislation.”

Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP)

The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) will endorse two pre-filed pieces of legislation that will change the way we enforce laws around cannabis. The first piece of legislation is a bill which decriminalizes cannabis, prohibiting legal penalties for possession, cultivation, and personal use of cannabis by adults 21 years or older. The second is for a proposed constitutional amendment that will legalize, regulate, and control adult-use of cannabis.

NAACP — Kentucky State Conference

Despite significant changes in cannabis laws in the U.S. over the past 23 years, a disproportionate number of African-American adults continue to be subjected to arrests, imprisonment, and other punishment related to cannabis. The American Civil Liberties Union reported in 2013 that African Americans are 3.73 times as likely to be arrested for cannabis possession despite using cannabis at approximately the same rate as the white population.

The Kentucky State Conference reaffirms its support for the decriminalization of cannabis; endorses legal, regulated markets for medical and adult-use cannabis; and urges greater diversity in the cannabis industry, with respect to both ownership and employment. The Kentucky State Conference calls on the Kentucky Legislature to allow an amendment to be placed on the ballot for the decriminalization of cannabis, and to implement entrepreneurship opportunities and job creation in the cannabis industry for low-income individuals and people of color from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana arrests and prosecutions.

Veterans Initiative 22

To the Honorable Members of the Kentucky Legislature: Veterans Initiative 22 is writing in strong support of Kentucky Cannabis Freedom Coalition and Kentucky House Bill 225. We believe that informed civic participation is essential to our democracy. We encourage Kentuckians to become familiar with the proposed constitutional amendment relating to cannabis and to participate in the public process established by the Kentucky Constitution and vote, in favor of Kentucky HB 225.

The proposed amendment would authorize the General Assembly to place the question before Kentucky voters as a constitutional amendment, allowing citizens of the Commonwealth to determine whether the proposal should become part of the Kentucky Constitution.

If approved by both the General Assembly and the voters, the amendment would establish constitutional protections for adults 21 years of age or older to possess, use, buy, or sell one ounce or less of cannabis and to cultivate, harvest, or store up to five cannabis plants for personal use without criminal penalties. The proposal also expressly provides that the General Assembly would retain the authority to regulate the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-derived products through state law.

HB 225 is a necessary step toward aligning Kentucky’s cannabis program, reducing legal ambiguity, and protecting the rights of citizens who follow the law. I urge the Legislature to pass this bill and reaffirm Kentucky’s commitment to both constitutional liberties and compassionate cannabis policy and let the Voters decide!

Very Respectfully,
Eryck Stamper,
Veterans Initiative 22, Founder / Outreach Director,
Fayette County, Kentucky.