Kentucky Medical Marijuana: Suit Challenging Ban Dismissed

FRANKFORT, KY — A lawsuit aiming to overturn Kentucky's medical marijuana prohibition was dismissed by a Franklin County circuit judge Wednesday.

Marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes, Judge Thomas Wingate acknowledged in his ruling, but said the three people who sued do not have a constitutional right to violate a controlled-substance law.

Twenty-nine states have legalized marijuana in some way, mostly for medical purposes. Kentucky lawmakers have failed to consider proposals to do so. In 2014, the legislature allowed the limited prescription of cannabidiol, which comes from the cannabis plant.

The lawsuit was filed by three people who use medical marijuana. They can appeal the decision. An attorney representing them did not immediately respond to a phone call and email requesting comment. (For more information on Kentucky's medical marijuana battle and other Kentucky stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

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