I have a vision for Kentuckians to take part in the medical cannabis society America has been slowly stitching together. I have decided to put my ideas on paper and below is the results. I encourage cannabis business and those who aspire to see medical cannabis in the bluegrass state, to read and compare to other states. To me in this light, this is not just affordable, it is achievable, it is, equality. I welcome the disagreements, and I ask for assistance in getting a final variation of this text into the right hands.
**Title: The Kentucky Medical Personal Cultivation Act**
**Section 1: Purpose and Intent**
This act is designed to enable medical cannabis patients in Kentucky to cultivate their own cannabis plants for personal medical use and to establish a process for applying for a medical personal cultivation license. It also aims to highlight the medical benefits of gardening and promote the economic potential of small to mid-sized cannabis growers in Kentucky.
**Section 2: Medical Personal Cultivation License**
1. Any registered medical cannabis patient in Kentucky shall have the right to apply for a medical personal cultivation license.
2. The medical personal cultivation license shall allow the licensee to cultivate up to seven cannabis plants at a time for personal medical use.
3. The license shall be valid for a period of two years or six years, as determined by the applicant.
4. The application fee for a two-year license shall be $260, and for a six-year license, it shall be $500.
5. License holders must mail in 7 grams of harvested cannabis once every 8 months for state-mandated testing for pests and heavy metals.
6. The license holder is responsible for all shipping fees associated with mailing the cannabis sample.
**Section 3: Caregiver Registration**
1. Registered medical cannabis patients may designate a caregiver to assist them with their medical cannabis needs.
2. Caregivers shall have the responsibility of growing and providing medical cannabis to a maximum of 12 registered patients.
3. Caregivers shall apply for a caregiver registration and pay an application fee of $75.
4. Each caregiver registration shall be valid for a period of 12 months.
5. Caregivers shall register their patients in a designated database.
6. The registration fee for each patient shall be $600.
7. Caregivers must ensure that the cannabis cultivated for their patients undergoes the state-mandated testing for pests and heavy metals every 8 months, and they are responsible for all shipping fees associated with mailing the cannabis sample.
**Section 4: Importance of Allowing Seven Plants**
1. Seven plants per medical personal cultivation license is deemed necessary to ensure an adequate supply of homegrown medical cannabis for patients.
2. Limiting the number of plants to a smaller quantity would hinder patients' ability to consistently access an adequate supply of homegrown cannabis for their medical needs.
3. Allowing seven plants per patient promotes self-sufficiency, cost-effectiveness, and continuity of treatment for medical cannabis patients.
4. The provision of caregiver registrations and the ability for caregivers to grow seven plants per patient will further ensure accessibility to medical cannabis for patients who require assistance.
**Section 5: Testing Failures and Penalties**
1. License holders and caregivers must ensure that the cannabis they cultivate passes the state-mandated testing for pests and heavy metals.
2. If a license holder or caregiver fails the testing more than 11 times, they shall be fined $2,300 for each additional failure.
3. If a caregiver fails the testing more than 31 times, they will be unable to register any patients for a period of 4 years.
4. License holders who are caregivers and fail the testing shall pay a fine of $200 for each patient they currently have registered.
**Section 6: Home Town Goods & Taxation**
1. Kentucky shall establish the "Home Town Goods & Taxation" program to promote the economic potential of small to mid-sized cannabis growers in the state.
2. Citizens may apply for the chance to become state-recognized growers by paying an application fee of $4,600.
3. State-recognized growers shall meet the following requirements:
a. Have a minimum of 860 square feet of dedicated grow space.
b. Ensure that the grow space is free of bacteria and other contaminants.
c. Obtain approval from a county representative verifying compliance with the required standards.
4. State-recognized growers shall have their cannabis products selected and sold in state-licensed dispensaries.
5. State-recognized growers shall participate in the state-wide database, providing information about the origin, destination, and shelf placement of their cannabis products.
6. State-recognized growers who cultivate cannabis for market sales, rather than personal consumption, shall pay a quarterly fee of $1,000.
7. The funds generated from the program, including application fees and quarterly fees, shall be allocated to fund roadwork, teacher bonuses, and public health services.
This addition to the bill aims to promote the growth of the cannabis market in Kentucky by providing opportunities for small to mid-sized growers to participate in the state's legal cannabis industry. The requirements ensure that state-recognized growers meet certain standards for cultivation and product quality, while the fees generated contribute to the development of essential public services.
Comment below what you think of this being an amendment or added to the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Bill.