Lexington's city council will likely take its first vote Tuesday on a resolution supporting state legislation that would make medical marijuana legal in Kentucky. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council began debate on the issue during a Thursday council meeting after half a dozen people who support making marijuana legal for those with a prescription spoke at the meeting. The council will likely debate the issue during a Tuesday work session and may take its first vote during a specially-called council meeting at 5 p.m. [continues 692 words]
FRANKFORT - The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce joined a growing chorus of high-profile supporters on Friday who want to let Kentucky farmers grow industrial hemp, but the effort continues to face an uphill battle. Bills have been filed in the House and Senate that would license farmers to grow the plant - a close cousin to marijuana - if the federal government lifts its ban on the crop. Such proposals have failed to gain traction with lawmakers in previous years, but sponsors of the two bills said they believe the measure has a better chance this year. [continues 602 words]
Supervision Would Replace Jail Time BILOXI - Harrison County supervisors on Monday unanimously approved funding to start a drug court, one of the first of its kind in the state. Circuit Judges Robert Walker, Stephen Simpson and Jerry O. Terry have been pushing for the new drug court because they believe it will help people kick drug habits that lead to violent crimes. "If you can truly get these people off of drugs, they're not going to commit another crime," Walker said. "They're going to be making a living and paying taxes. And their families will be off welfare rolls." [continues 262 words]
GULFPORT - Harrison Co-unty supervisors want to see statistics that show success before deciding whether to give money to a special court designed to help people kick drugs. Judges told supervisors that most crimes in the area are directly related to drug abuse. Through a drug court, drug users with first offenses could enter a three-year program with intensive supervision in lieu of jail time. Circuit Judges Robert Walker, Stephen Simpson and Jerry O. Terry support the idea of a drug court. Walker said the court would cost about $90,000 its first year and asked county supervisors for a little more than $70,000. [continues 111 words]
