Kentucky Lawmaker Proposes Decriminalizing Marijuana In the State

LOUISVILLE, KY – A bill aimed at decriminalizing marijuana in Kentucky has been introduced in the state’s General Assembly, according to a report in the Courier-Journal.

The legislation, House Bill 72, is being proposed by Democratic Rep. Nima Kulkarni of Louisville. Under the measure, those 21 or older found to have a small amount of cannabis would be exempt from civil or criminal penalties.  Also decriminalized would be the acts of having, trafficking and growing “a personal use quantity” of cannabis.

The personal use quantity would be defined as: One ounce or less of cannabis in plant form; five or fewer marijuana plants; five grams or less of resin or concentrates derived from hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid; and cannabis products that contain 1,000 mg or less of delta-9 THC and 1,000 mg or less of delta-8 THC.

Kulkarni emphasized the importance of the legislation for those Kentucky residents with criminal records for marijuana use and possession.

“There are some people that maybe had offenses and convictions years ago that have served their time, paid their fines and fees, whatever happened, but there’s a lot of people that are still dealing with probation and parole provisions,” she was quoted as saying.

Another bill being introduced by Kulkarni would guarantee that those 21 or older would have the right to possess, use, buy, or sell one ounce or less of cannabis while also being allowed to cultivate, harvest, and store up to five cannabis plants for personal use. The production, processing, and sale of cannabis and related products would be controlled by the General Assembly, according to the bill.