November 29, 2017
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is encouraging Kentucky cities and counties to endorse medical marijuana legislation which can help their citizens, many who are veterans fighting physical and mental illnesses, get care and relief they need.
“It’s clear momentum is building for medical cannabis in Kentucky. I challenge our local officials in cities and counties across the Commonwealth to join in the effort to bring relief to thousands of Kentuckians who suffer daily – their own citizens,” Grimes said. “This affects people in every county and corner of the state. Local officials should step up for their constituents to support medical cannabis legislation in the General Assembly in 2018. We can’t leave our people who are hurting behind.”
Maysville and Mason County have recently taken official action in support of legalization legislation.
“Eric Crawford lives every single day in pain from an automobile accident he suffered as a young man,” said Grimes. “It’s because of Eric that both Maysville and Mason County, where he lives, have endorsed the effort to bring Kentuckians relief with medical cannabis. The people it can help – like Eric – are their friends and neighbors. They go to church with them every Sunday. They see them in the grocery store. This issue has a face and a name for our local officials.”
Maysville adopted a resolution last year that “encourages the Kentucky General Assembly to consider legislation for medical marijuana which provides for the care, comfort and relief” of Crawford and other Kentuckians who can benefit from medical marijuana. Mason County’s fiscal court adopted a similar resolution in 2014.
Crawford, a member of Grimes’ panel advising on medical marijuana legislation, told the group last week that medical marijuana had significantly improved his conditions. He showed the dozens of prescription pain relievers, including narcotics, he had been prescribed and have many adverse side effects. Crawford said he feels the most relief with marijuana, which is illegal in Kentucky.
Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia.
The Madisonville Messenger reported Wednesday that members of the Hopkins County Fiscal Court this week voiced support for legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky.
Grimes’ panel last week also heard from other individuals, including two veterans, who attested to the way medical marijuana had greatly benefited them in dealing with physical and mental illnesses. The veterans said severe post-traumatic stress stemming from their service in Iraq had impacted their work and relationships.
Significant evidence exists showing marijuana counters side effects of a large number of illnesses and diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis C, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
