Kentucky lawmaker introduces bill to allow personal use of marijuana

OG article by Matthew Dietz

February 12, 2026

A Kentucky lawmaker has introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. State Sen. Gary Clemons, a Democrat from Louisville, filed Senate Bill 168, which proposes amending the state constitution to allow individuals aged 21 and older to legally purchase, possess, use, sell, cultivate, harvest, and store limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. The bill sets specific limits of one ounce or less of marijuana and up to five cannabis plants per person.

A companion bill seeks to eliminate criminal penalties for low-level marijuana possession, which is currently classified as a Class B misdemeanor under state law. These proposals build on recent progress in Kentucky's cannabis policy: in 2023, Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation legalizing medical marijuana, positioning Kentucky as one of 38 states with medical programs according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical dispensaries have begun opening or are set to open statewide.

Despite the medical advancements, recreational use remains fully prohibited. Clemons' initiatives aim to decriminalize minor possession and establish regulated personal adult use, potentially shifting Kentucky toward broader cannabis reform amid national trends and evolving public opinion in surrounding states.