The Bill

Matthew Bratcher, Executive Director for Kentucky's Official State Chapter for 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.”   

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.”

      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 said that “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  Because of outdated and ill-enforced laws, thousands of Kentuckians have lost time and opportunities due to criminal convictions, and thousands more have suffered needlessly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), 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.

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. For example, 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 for the Kentucky Legislature to allow for an amendment to be. placed on the ballot for the decriminalization of Cannabis. 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.