The Bluegrass State has long stood as a symbol of tradition, southern pride, and cautious change. But as talk grows louder about Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear potentially launching a bid for the White House, a key question takes root: what would a Beshear presidency look like, especially on hot-button issues like cannabis, LGBTQ+ policies, immigration, poverty, and policing?
In this deep-dive blog, we examine every known action, veto, speech, executive order, and omission in Beshear's record. The goal? To help readers ask themselves three vital questions:
1. Is Beshear going to pull America deeper into "Drag Queen Central," as some critics fear, or is his social policy record more restrained?
2. Will he ever push for recreational cannabis legalization, or is his green thumb reserved only for medical gardens?
3. Most importantly, is Andy Beshear prepared to create a true pathway toward a greener, more inclusive, and more economically fair America?
🌿 CANNABIS: REFORM OR REGRET?
✨ The Medical Cannabis Milestone
On March 31, 2023, Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law, legalizing medical cannabis in Kentucky beginning January 1, 2025. The bill prohibits home cultivation and strictly limits prescriptions to patients with qualifying conditions.
❌ No Recreational Push
Beshear has not supported full recreational legalization. Instead, his public stance remains focused on regulated medical use, veterans' care, and alternatives to addictive opioids.
✉️ Executive Pardons: The Retroactive Relief
On November 15, 2022, he issued a blanket pardon for Kentuckians convicted of simple marijuana possession (under 8 oz, no violence or trafficking). While this didn’t decriminalize future charges, it cleared thousands of records, a signal of reform intent within the scope of his authority.
🌪️ Can He Decriminalize Statewide on His Own?
No. Only the Kentucky General Assembly can change criminal law. He can:
Issue pardons
Tell the Kentucky State Police to deprioritize low-level cannabis arrests
Publicly urge local prosecutors to do the same
He cannot force county attorneys, local police, or city departments to ignore existing laws. But with federal rescheduling, a President Beshear could mirror this across the DEA, DOJ, and HHS to push for broader national reform.
🏞️ IMMIGRATION: BALANCE OR BARRIERS?
Beshear has criticized anti-immigrant rhetoric as "dangerous and dehumanizing." He supports:
A path to citizenship for Dreamers
Legal immigration reforms for workforce sustainability
He defended in-state tuition for undocumented high school grads, noting he lacked power to override the independent Council on Postsecondary Education's rule.
In a future presidency, he may continue this moderate, economically driven approach.
🌟 LGBTQ+ POLICIES: EXECUTIVE ORDERS & LEGISLATIVE PUSHBACK
✅ Beshear's Actions:
Vetoed SB 150, a bill that included limitations on gender-affirming medical procedures and school policies
Issued executive order banning conversion therapy on minors in Sept 2024
❌ Legislative Override
In 2025, Republicans passed a bill reinstating conversion therapy options and restricting gender-affirming care for adults. Beshear did not veto that measure.
What Is Conversion Therapy?
Conversion therapy refers to attempts to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity through psychological or spiritual intervention. It has been the subject of national debate.
As president, Beshear would likely encounter similar opposition and would need to decide whether to pursue executive orders or defer to Congress.
🚗 LAW & ORDER OR POVERTY PUNISHMENT? (The Safer Kentucky Act)
In 2024, Beshear vetoed the Safer Kentucky Act (HB 5), which proposed:
Making "camping" in public a criminal offense
Mandatory life sentencing after three violent felonies
Enhanced penalties for fentanyl-related offenses
Beshear’s veto message framed the bill as an overreach that could increase incarceration without addressing underlying social conditions. His approach appears to favor rehabilitation and social programs over expanding prison populations.
⚡ MINIMUM WAGE & ECONOMIC FAIRNESS
Beshear supports a gradual increase to $15/hr by 2027. However, the GOP-controlled legislature has blocked this, keeping Kentucky at the federal baseline of $7.25. As president, he could push for national wage reform through Congress.
⛽ GAS PRICES: THE REALITY OF INFLATION
During Beshear's term, gas prices in Kentucky peaked at $4.80/gallon (June 2022) but have since dropped to around $2.92/gallon. He navigated this period without implementing major price controls or tax increases.
🏠 HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING JUSTICE
He:
Vetoed a bill that would allow landlords to deny housing to Section 8 voucher holders
Partnered with Fahe to assist flood survivors with permanent housing
Directed over $39M in rental and utility relief funds across the state
These efforts reflect a policy emphasis on housing stability and coordinated disaster response.
🌿 KENTUCKY CANNABIS ENFORCEMENT TODAY
Even with medical reform on the horizon, Kentucky still enforces:
Possession as a Class B misdemeanor (up to 45 days jail)
No home grow allowed
No recreational use permitted
A President Beshear would need to work with Congress and federal agencies to reclassify cannabis and potentially create a national framework. To date, he has not taken a public position in favor of full federal legalization.
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FINAL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
1. Will Beshear Pull Us Back Into Drag Queen Central?
He vetoed one major bill but allowed another to pass. Does this suggest a consistent strategy or shifting priorities?
2. Will He Push for Recreational Weed?
His record includes pardons and medical cannabis support. But his silence on adult use leaves uncertainty.
3. Will Beshear Build a Greener Future?
Between housing efforts, cannabis policy, and economic goals, the tools are there. But will he apply them boldly—or cautiously extend Kentucky’s moderation to the national lawn?
Is Beshear the Answer to What has Driven America to a.pointbof much needed Reckoning. We need to be a family, at the dinner table again.
What do you want to see from Beshear Next...comment below.
3 comments
If he runs for president Id vote for him. But if he pushes the LGBTQ stuff in schools, I’ll cry. I cry about that now
, the amount of gay on TV is overwhelming, my kids are thinking I ground them from TV, but I gots to screen for the gay stuff you Know-
This was an interesting read for sure.
Didn’t he pardon felons?
Great blog.
Love this blog. It’s neutral, which we need. I took am concerned that he has short stopped his support for completing the medical cannabis milestone.