In 37 states, patients have the option of using medical cannabis to relieve their debilitating symptoms when their doctors recommend it. States on all sides of the political spectrum have recognized the cruelty of criminalizing this important treatment option, including Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, West Virginia and Ohio. On March 17, the Kentucky House passed HB 136 with a vote of 59-34. But patients who could benefit from medical cannabis in Kentucky continue to face the impossible choice of needlessly suffering or becoming criminals. I am writing to ask you to please support seriously ill patients who want regulated access to medical cannabis products. Patients should not have to resort to the potentially dangerous underground market to access their medicine. Regulating the cultivation and sale of medical cannabis would ensure patients have legal, safe, and reliable access to medical cannabis. We have the opportunity to create a carefully regulated and compassionate program. As your constituent, can I count on you to support patients? Can I count on you to support HB 136?

I am writing to encourage you to support allowing medical cannabis for seriously ill individuals in our state. The House passed this legislation 59-34 on March 17. Medical cannabis offers relief to people suffering from cancer treatments, PTSD, seizures, and chronic pain. And medical cannabis is far less harmful and poses fewer negative side effects than most prescription drugs — especially opiate-based painkillers — with patients often finding it to be a more effective treatment. People who could benefit from medical cannabis should not have to wait — and in some cases cannot wait — for the right to use it legally. It is long past time for compassionate marijuana policy reform in our state. Please support a carefully crafted, well-regulated medical cannabis program that patients deserve. HB 136 is that bill, and as your constituent, I ask that you support this important piece of legislation.

We have a nationwide opioid epidemic. More than 16,000 Americans die each year from prescription opiate overdoses. Many more needlessly suffer with untreated or undertreated pain. Kentucky has not avoided this epidemic, and our fellow citizens are suffering. Meanwhile, a safer treatment option is legal in 37 states but denied to our state's suffering patients: medical cannabis (also known as marijuana). Cannabis has never been shown to cause a fatal overdose. It has, however, been shown to relieve pain and to allow patients to reduce or eliminate their use of opioids. Voters of all backgrounds support allowing medical cannabis. Since 2016, voters have also approved medical cannabis in Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Utah. The Kentucky House recognized this and passed HB 136 by a vote of 59-34 on Thursday, March 17. Isn't it time the legislature passed a carefully crafted, well-regulated medical marijuana law? HB 136 is the most conservative medical cannabis bill in the country, but it will meet the needs of suffering Kentuckians. I ask you to support this legislation.