State lawmakers in Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina have filed or pre-filed bills establishing these medical marijuana programs, according to a report by Reckon South.
These states would join Mississippi, the last state to adopt a medical cannabis program, making it the 35th state to legalize medical cannabis.
In Alabama, state senator Tim Melson plans to introduce a medical marijuana bill similar to the one he introduced in 2020.
This will be the third year that Melson presents a medical marijuana bill in the state legislature.
Medical cannabis products for smoking and vaporizing would not be allowed under the law, only pills, certain types of edibles and creams. I would not allow any food products that contain cannabis, such as cookies or candy.
Patients suffering from various illnesses may qualify for cards. Patients who do not suffer from any of the conditions listed in the bill may appeal to a council for special consideration.
You can read the text of the project here.
In South Carolina, state deputy Bill Herbkersman and state senator Tom Davis, a Republican and Democrat, respectively, filled out previous versions of the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act.
In 2018 and 2020, versions of the bill failed.
The bill describes restrictions on the amount of medical cannabis a patient can have at one time and the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) allowed in each type of medical cannabis product.
The bill also creates a 6% tax on all medical cannabis products.
You can read the text of the project here.
Several Kentucky lawmakers filed a bipartisan bill that creates a Medicinal Cannabis Division and creates a director and a council, which will set regulations on daily, 10- and 30-day supply limits and create limits on how much THC is allowed in each type of cannabis medicinal product.
The bill also protects out-of-state medical marijuana patients and caregivers from being arrested if they are found in possession of marijuana while in South Carolina. Qualified patients are prohibited from using cannabis while driving a car, boat or plane. The bill also allows employers to maintain their drug tests and drug policies in the workplace.
You can read the text of the project here.