FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed two “historic” pieces of legislation into law Friday, paving the way for both medical marijuana and sports betting to be legalized in the commonwealth.
Both pieces of legislation received final passage in the Legislature on Thursday, the final day of the 2023 General Assembly.
“We do really have a lot to celebrate: two historic bills that we’re going to sign into law right here,” Beshear said at the signing in the Capitol rotunda. “One where we are signing multiple pieces of legislation into law that people have been pushing for for years, if not a decade.”
Beshear was joined by lawmakers who championed both bills, including Sen. Steve West, Rep. Jason Nemes and Rep. Michael Meredith.
“This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it,” Nemes, the Louisville Republican who has pushed for medical marijuana in the Legislature year after year, opened by saying.
“Amen,” a chorus of advocates replied.
“I am filled with emotion,” Nemes said. “There are, governor, as you know, thousands and thousands of Kentuckians who just want to be and want to feel better, and this will help them with that.”
West, a Paris Republican, who sponsored the legalization bill, said Senate Bill 47 is likely one of the most vetted bills in the history of the General Assembly, having been worked and reworked many times.
“One of the prime reasons I sponsored this bill and moved it along is addiction. Other states who have this option have seen not only a 20% to 30% reduction in opioid use, but also a 20% to 30% reduction in drug addiction. Heroin, fentanyl and those sorts of things. And if you haven’t looked, Kentucky has a severe addiction problem, and I think Senate Bill 47 and medical marijuana can be part of that solution.”
Chief among the restrictions in Senate Bill 47 is that users are not allowed to smoke the substance. Further, it would not be accessible until 2025.
Beshear also signed House Bill 551, the sports betting bill sponsored by Meredith, an Oakland Republican.
Meredith said the bill has been “a labor of love” throughout this session.
“This was really a team effort,” Meredith said. “Short of the bill you just signed, this might be the most bipartisan bill passed this session, and it proves what we can do when we’re willing to come together and work together.”
Under HB 551, sports betting would be taxed 9.75% at horse racing facilities and 14.25% online. The bill states that sports betting would be regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission “which has demonstrated a long and successful history of regulating wagering.” According to a fiscal note to the bill provided by the Legislative Research Commission, the bill is projected to bring in almost $23 million per year once fully implemented.
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