Kentucky governor continues to show leadership on medical cannabis

We have a win to celebrate — and a fight still ahead.

For the second time, Governor Andy Beshear (D) has done what the Kentucky legislature refused to do. On June 2, he signed Executive Order 2026-318, expanding the qualifying conditions for Kentucky's medical cannabis program. 

The governor acted on a list of conditions unanimously approved by the Kentucky Board of Physicians and Advisors. HB 401, which would have accomplished this through the legislature, never even received a committee hearing in 2026. 

Kentuckians living with the following conditions can now qualify for medical cannabis:

• Terminal illnesses
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Muscular Dystrophy
• HIV
• AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Neuropathies
• Severe Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma

The governor acknowledged that many of these conditions should have already qualified under existing law, but confusion left patients and physicians in the dark. This order brings clarity and opens doors for people who have waited far too long.

If you live in Kentucky, thank Governor Beshear for his leadership on cannabis policy!

Governor Beshear also called on the legislature to decriminalize personal cannabis possession. In 2025, nearly 2,200 Kentuckians were arrested for cannabis possession. That must change, and we applaud the governor for calling for it.