December marks the beginning of the pre-filing period for Kentucky’s Legislature. This year in the House, representatives have pre-filed seven bills focusing on marijuana in Kentucky. Those filings range from tax credits for dispensary businesses owned by minorities, women, or service-disabled veterans to a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would legalize adult-use in Kentucky.
In the Senate, four pieces of cannabis-focused legislation have already been pre-filed.
Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, and Sen. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, have both reintroduced legislation they filed last year. While Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin, has filed a piece of legislation similar to that of his counterpart in the Kentucky House of Representatives, Representative Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, HB 1736 . White’s filing SB 939 is listed as modifying provisions relating to background checks for medical marijuana facilities, her the full bill text was not available at press.
Sen. Hoskins has proposed SB 807 – a bill identical to his filing from last year, SB 436 (2021). The bill would authorize an income tax deduction for certain expenses related to operating a medical marijuana business. “According to our Constitution, Kentucky recognizes medical marijuana as a legal and legitimate business,” Hoskins told Greenway in February, in reference to SB 436 (2021). “Deducting business expenses is routine practice for operating a successful, profitable business. However, medical marijuana businesses aren’t currently allowed these deductions, which in effect increases their taxes significantly. SB 436 will bring fairness to all Kentucky businesses. Allowing medical marijuana licensees to utilize these deductions like all other Kentucky businesses is the right thing to do for Kentucky job creators.”
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