Legislators are driving decriminalization
Kentucky: Possession of Small Quantities of Cannabis Goes Unpunished
Justin Wong (JW)October 5, 2026
A Kentucky MP announced Monday that it would be submitting a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of cannabis and give voters the opportunity to constitutionally protect the provisions.
MP Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville) announced on Monday that several organizations have supported her plan.
"I support these bills for a number of reasons, any one of which should be sufficient for them to become law," said Kulkarni. "First, current cannabis laws have unnecessarily and tragically ruined many lives, especially those of people of color who have suffered unequal enforcement. Second, thousands of citizens, from cancer patients to veterans with PTSD, should be entitled to the law have to use something that will give them the mental and physical relief they deserve without relying on stronger, potentially addictive drugs. Third, decriminalizing cannabis would provide the state with a much-needed reliable source of income without the current taxes even just to add a penny.
Finally, polls have repeatedly shown that a majority of Kentucky citizens are in favor of the decriminalization and responsible use of adult cannabis. Other states that take this move are reaping considerable benefits, and it is time Kentucky joined them . "
A proposed constitutional amendment would be presented to voters next November if approved by three-fifths of the House of Representatives and the Senate during the upcoming 2022 legislative session in Frankfort. It would allow Kentuckians 21 and older to own, consume, buy or sell up to an ounce of cannabis with impunity, including owning up to five plants for personal use. The general assembly would have the task of regulating how cannabis is grown, taxed and sold.
Their second bill provides for the legislature itself to lift criminal penalties for owning, growing and / or selling small quantities of cannabis, while maintaining penalties for possession of larger quantities. The bill would also remove cannabis accessories from Kentucky's drug paraphernalia statutes.
"My bills are complementary because they provide a short-term path for the General Assembly to act quickly and a permanent solution that will give cannabis use the constitutional protection it deserves," said Kulkarni. "With the public's support, I believe we can both say goodbye next year.
A number of organizations support their bills, according to a press release.
ACLU of Kentucky said that "Although our organizations have different roles, we are united on decriminalizing cannabis. Due to outdated and poorly enforced laws, thousands of Kentuckians have lost time and opportunity to criminal convictions, and thousands more have suffered needlessly, because Kentucky is blocking the medical use of cannabis. It is time for the Commonwealth to join the 36 other states that have removed most, if not all, of these barriers. So we are proud to add our name to those who support the legislation of Representative Nima Kulkarni. "
Patrick Dunegan, director of the Kentucky Cannabis Freedom Coalition, said his organization fully supports Kulkarni's bills and "efforts to change cannabis law here in Kentucky". This is a question of freedom and society in our state. MEP Kulkarni, we applaud you! We encourage everyone to support these bills. "
Mike Conway, state director of Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky, said, "We applaud Rep. Kulkarni for introducing legislation that would move Kentucky away from harmful policies that have criminalized the use and possession of marijuana. The prosecution of marijuana possession has been unnecessary Brought thousands of Kentuckians into the criminal justice system while diverting law enforcement resources from public safety priorities such as reducing violent crime. "
Matthew Bratcher, executive director of Kentucky's National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said his organization "commends MP Kulkarni for her efforts to reform cannabis possession laws in our state, and we encourage other lawmakers to do so both sides of the aisle to join her in improving the lives of many Kentuckians. "
C.J. Carter, Kentucky State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana, said, "We are on the cusp of opening up the cannabis industry here in Kentucky. This is a dangerous moment indeed for black and brown people. There is a new multi-billion dollar -Industry soon to be opened at both federal and state levels, while at the same time people who look like me are criminalized behind bars and once again left out of the conversation. We now have a chance to see a different story in Kentucky The state of Kentucky and its cannabis history owes the black community a tremendous amount, and that starts with this legislation brought in by Rep. Kulkarni. "
