Kentucky state Rep. Rachel Roberts (D) final week launched an adult-use hashish legalization invoice to the Republican-controlled Home of Representatives, in line with the Louisville Courier-Reporter.
Home Invoice 420, as it’s aptly named, would legalize hashish possession and use for adults aged 21+ and set up a regulated business for the cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of hashish merchandise. Moreover, employers within the state can be unable to fireside or refuse to rent somebody for legally consuming hashish, and individuals with hashish misdemeanor convictions would be capable to get their data expunged.
Roberts’ invoice, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Keturah Herron (D), would additionally set up a brand new board within the Public Safety Cupboard that might take cost of the hashish licensing course of. The business be taxed with a 9% excise tax on all hashish gross sales, together with retail and wholesale purchases, for a minimum of one yr, then the board would be capable to set up a brand new tax price.
Hashish business taxes and licensing charges would go right into a “hashish fund” with the state Treasury that fund the implementation and administration of the business. For any leftover funds, a minimum of 30% can be spent on addressing the unfavorable impacts of hashish prohibition, together with by creating job coaching and re-entry packages for communities “traditionally focused by drug legislation enforcement,” the report mentioned.
The legalization proposal comes as Kentucky is working to launch its medical hashish program, which lawmakers handed final yr.
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