KY’s Medical Cannabis Bill, D.C. Kicks Off Cannabis Expungement, & MN’s Psychedelic Taskforce

Kentucky is once again exploring medical cannabis legalization, D.C. made good on its expungement promises, and Minnesota okayed a psychedelic task force.

Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews.

Kentucky Inches Toward Medical Cannabis Legalization

Earlier this week, Kentucky’s State Senate passed a new proposal that seeks to legalize medical cannabis in the state. Under the bill, those with chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, and other chronic illnesses would be eligible to receive a medical cannabis card. If passed, the bill will take effect starting in January 2025.

This is not the first time that Kentucky has attempted to legalize medical cannabis. In March of last year, Kentucky’s majority-Republican House of Representatives passed a medical cannabis bill with a 59-34 vote. Though the bill ultimately failed, Kentucky’s continued efforts are a good sign for the future of this most recent attempt. 

Do you think Kentucky will finally get medical cannabis? Let us know in the comments!

D.C. Finally Makes Good on Expungement Promises

Though cannabis has been decriminalized in Washington, D.C., since 2014, the city is only now getting around to its promise of expunging the records of those with cannabis-related offenses.

The biggest reason for the delay is the antiquated statute which complicates D.C.’s lawmaking process. In D.C., bills signed by the city’s mayor are subject to a 30-day period of Congressional oversight before receiving final approval. As such, though D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Expungement Act in January, it is only now taking effect.

The Expungement Act allows for the automatic expungement of any convictions or citations for cannabis-related charges. Further, it also stipulates the clearing of all other records related to the simple possession of cannabis. Under the act, all expungements must be processed by the Jan. 1, 2025 deadline.

What do you think of D.C.’s long-awaited expungement law? Let us know in the comments!

Minnesota’s Psychedelic Research Task Force

Last week, Minnesota’s House committee took a big step toward psychedelic legalization. The committee passed a bill to establish a task force to study and advise on the potential benefits of psychedelic legalization. The task force will consist of lawmakers, experts on drug misuse, tribal representatives, health commissioners, and military veterans with mental health conditions.

Supporters of the move hope the task force will:

1. Demonstrate the medical value of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA
2. Buy some time until psychedelic legalization can be attached to a more bi-partisan health bill

What do you think of Minnesota’s ramp-up to psychedelic legalization? Do you think the committee findings will actually change lawmakers’ minds? Let us know in the comments!