FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter Wednesday to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) expressing support for marijuana reclassification.
In the letter, Beshear expressed his support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation that the DEA ease marijuana restrictions.
In May, the DEA moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, potentially rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
Beshear wrote that the rescheduling would help people have an alternative to opioid use, continue access to safe products and help communities further reduce crime and illicit drug use.
“As Governor, my job is to move our state forward,” Beshear said. “Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III is a significant, common-sense step forward for all Kentuckians, especially those with significant medical conditions.”
The letter builds on the work Beshear has done to provide access to medical cannabis to Kentuckians who have certain chronic conditions.
“But the jury is no longer out on marijuana: It has medical uses and is currently being used for medical purposes,” Gov. Beshear said in the letter. “The recognition is overwhelming – and bipartisan. For example, I signed a medical marijuana law that passed with support from Republican legislative supermajorities and a Democratic Governor.”
Kentucky's medical marijuana law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
“We look forward to seeing how safe medical marijuana products will reduce the suffering and improve the lives of tens of thousands of Kentuckians when our program launches in 2025," Beshear said.
You can read the letter here.
