LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear’s Executive Order allowing out-of-state medical cannabis in Kentucky went into effect on New Year’s Day.

What You Need To Know

  •  A new Executive Order about medical cannibis went into effect Jan. 1

  •  State law enforcement are enforcing the new order

  • The executive director of Kentucky's National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws likes what he sees from law enforcement

Last year, President Joe Biden said, “No one should go to jail just for using or possessing marijuana.” 

“I think overall, it’s a good thing.” Matthew Bratcher, the Executive Director of Kentucky National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) explained to Spectrum News 1.

“It gives the legislature a chance to clean up some of the places where it falls short. It also adds a little incentive to get it taken care of fairly quickly,” Bratcher added. 

Officer Matthew Sanders, with the Louisville Metro Police Department, told Spectrum News 1 in an email, “LMPD’s policies as they relate to marijuana have not changed. Marijuana remains a low priority for LMPD and it has been that way for several years.”

Deputy Police Chief Col. Paul Humphrey sent a memorandum to all sworn personnel outlining medical marijuana executive order. 

Bratcher with NORML said the organization expected more metropolitan areas of Kentucky, cities such as Louisville and Lexington to be “a little more relaxed with things.” But believes the more rural areas of the state, may pursue the issue differently. Bratcher said, “You may get out into the rural areas where we’ve had a chief of police in Murray, was like ‘We’re just gonna do things the way we’ve always done and let the courts sort it out.’ Which is, I kinda feel, will be the way it will be tested the most.”

Lieutenant Justin Bradbury with the Covington Police Department said it is currently following the executive order’s guidelines. However, they say if someone possesses marijuana outside of the guidelines, they could still get a citation or be arrested.

Bradbury added, “Our advice to anyone wishing to possess marijuana legally is to research the order and make sure they understand the requirements before purchasing or possessing any marijuana. They can visit medicalcannabis.ky.gov for more information. There is a section labeled ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ that is also very helpful.”

Bowling Green police say they’ve told officers to follow the executive order. The department provides officers with training when new laws and orders are implemented.

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