Two newly proposed bills in Kentucky could change how cannabis is treated in the Commonwealth, with one focusing on decriminalization and the other giving voters the final say.
House Bill 198 would remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
The bill would allow anyone 21 and older to have up to one ounce of cannabis and the cultivation of up to five plants without arrest, criminal charges or probation violations.
The bill would not legalize commercial sales though, and there would still be penalties for trafficking or possessing larger amounts.
House Bill 199 would would take a different and more permanent approach by asking voters to decide the issue directly.
The bill proposes an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that would guarantee adults 21 and older the right to use, buy, or sell up to one ounce of cannabis and up to five plants for personal use.
If the amendment is approved by voters, those rights would be permanently protected in Kentucky, while still allowing lawmakers to regulate cannabis sales.
The main difference between the two bills is how the change would take effect.
Lawmakers could change state law by passing House Bill 198, while House Bill 199 would put the question directly on the ballot.
Both bills are still in the early stages of the legislative process, and marijuana still remains illegal for recreational use in Kentucky at this time.
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