FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday officially appointed members to the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, which was announced in late April.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Andy Beshear named 17 people to the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee

  • The panel will soon hold listening sessions for feedback on the idea of medical cannabis in Kentucky

  • Medical cannabis is legal in 38 states, including many neighboring Kentucky

Beshear named the 17 initial members to the committee through an executive order. The slate of names includes many who have relevant experience in health care, treatment of opioid use disorder and other diseases of addiction, law enforcement, criminal justice and advocacy for medical cannabis.

“Polling suggests 90% of Kentucky adults support legalizing medical cannabis, while at the same time, far too many in our state who could benefit from it are suffering. It is simply time that something more is done,” Beshear said in a recorded statement. 

The new committee will soon begin traveling the state to take in Kentuckians’ views on medical cannabis and provide that feedback to the Governor's office.

"I want to make sure every voice is heard as I am weighing executive action that could provide access to medical cannabis in the commonwealth," Beshear added.

Medical cannabis is often utilized as an alternative to highly addictive opioids, many of which are still prescribed to deal with patients’ pain. And, while lawmakers in Kentucky have stalled several pushes for medical cannabis, a total of 38 states – including neighboring Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia – allow the drug for medical use.

It's often used to treat conditions including:

  • Cancer
  • ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Epilepsy and seizures
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Severe and chronic pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Kerry Harvey and Secretary of the Public Protection Cabinet Ray Perry will serve as co-chairs of the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee. You can view the full list of members here.

Townhall meetings will be open to the public for discussion and feedback from residents, local leaders, health care providers and advocacy groups. Meeting details will be released in advance, Beshear said.

Learn more about the advisory committee's work and submit feedback at medicalcannabis.ky.gov.

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