>> I don't refer to is recreational marijuana to me.

Recreation and Kentucky is hiking, biking, boating, not getting highs in Georgia by.

>> Well, medical marijuana in Kentucky lead to recreational marijuana.

Hear from both sides of the debate over medical cannabis.

>> I have experience of 12 years in Frankfort, the past 2 terms of front, just second largest executive branch agency, Frankfort.

>> Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles on why he's the right candidate for Kentucky's top political job.

>> It's a step toward normalcy.

Sometimes that's all it takes.

>> And a Kentucky man says he deserves the right to vote.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET meant for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Tuesday, January 31st.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for spending part of your evening with us.

>> Depending on who's talking medical marijuana is either a lifesaver for suffering Kentucky hands or an untested myth that will make our drug problem worse.

We begin tonight with medical news.

The debate comes as lawmakers consider Senate Bill 47 that bill would create a regulatory framework for medical marijuana legalization in Kentucky last night on Kentucky tonight we heard from state Senator Phillip Wheeler, Republican from Parkville.

He says he's been surprised by some of the people who back legalizing medical marijuana.

>> A medical cannabis has been a lifesaver for Probably one of the things I would have never thought when I first got elected to this position in 2019 was AM very a member the First Baptist Church in talent I've known for You know, totally against any type of drugs and he asked me several Senator, one of the 5th.

One of the things I would ask to be one of the first things that if you could do this for my support, medical cannabis, which I never expected to hear those words out of his mouth.

And then he went on to explain to me he had a grandchild that had significant seizure disorder.

And it appeared that the cannabis oil was the only.

They tried everything, but it was the only substances seen to to give any type of relief.

And so as I went through out my district, I would talk to veterans to talk about PTSD.

And several other folks who some real relief and so over time, a meeting with the people like Jaime and the You know, I became convinced that this is something that and when the minister to the proper way can provide compassionate relief many Kentuckians in pine with other illnesses.

>> Critics against medical cannabis say it's not been properly tested and decisions and other states to legalize it are not based on science and sure million national coordinator of the National Marijuana Initiative also told us that legalizing medical marijuana will lead to talk of legalizing recreational marijuana use.

>> When you pass it, I guarantee you and I will then in 2 to 4 years.

We'll be back here having a discussion on legislation for commercial values I don't refer to is recreational marijuana recreation and Kentucky is hiking, biking, boating, not getting highs.

A Georgia Pine.

It's the commercialization of THC in this country and it's not about sick.

Patients is about one thing.

It's not about any colors, not a black issue, not a light issue, not a brown issue.

It's a green issue.

It's all about money.

This is what this is about.

You'll find out what we're finding out.

And Ali states is not an up patients to support this program.

The next logical sequence is going to be commercial adult, they should say because that's where the you could say that about the hall.

You could say that about a variety of other.

>> Substances that people use to deal with with height.

I'm not saying between alcohol and that is you can drink 80% of the people in this country that consume alcohol consume it responsibly.

You cannot consume cannabis without being impaired.

It's not comparing the drink to the joint.

It's comparing the joint to the bot.

That's the analogy, particularly with today's high potency marijuana and what's allowed in the bill.

>> So you can see more of this informative and sometimes spirited conversation.

Stream it on demand online at KET DOT Org.

Slash K why tonight?

Kerry Harvey, secretary of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet served on a task force that held public meetings about medical marijuana, those meetings informed the governor's executive action to let Kentucky ends with one of 21 qualifying health conditions possess 8 ounces or less of cannabis with written certification from a doctor.

Secretary Harvey said he was moved by the stories he heard.

>> I was given the opportunity to to co-chair this task force with the my friend Secretary Ray Perry.

We want to yell all over the state.

>> We we.

>> Heard personally from hundreds of Kentucky INS.

Told us their stories and these are hurt reaching stories.

There are people who suffered from intractable pain.

There are people who suffer from from cancer.

There are people who suffer from Lou Gehrig's disease from seizure disorders who have told us that they have been able to and medical cannabis in other states and it relieves their suffering.

It's allowed them to to to discontinue the use of addictive opioids.

It's allowed them to leave.

A more normal wives.

I don't know of any reason why we would just believe those Kentucky INS.

>> The Kentucky General Assembly funded the UK Cannabis Center.

That's researching medical marijuana during its last biennial budget.

Legislators are hoping the center can help provide answers on whether medical marijuana is right for Kentucky.

Last week our Casey Parker Bell talked with the center's director Doctor Shan, about the loan us about the comparison between alcohol and cannabis.

>> You have a study that's getting released about a month.

What's that study about and what have you found so far?

>> Sure.

So we have a driving simulator study that we're hoping to really stand on scene and that study we bought participants in Thailand are Tory.

We have a driving simulator there and we compared the effects of alcohol in those people versus different strains of marijuana that you would see in recreational dispensaries and also medical dispensaries to determine how it affected there mood, how high they were, how it affected their driving.

And so what's really comparison for us that we're really looking at for that study is we know that alcohol impairs driving, but we're not really sure how cannabis FX driving and so does an impaired driving in.

It is so does it in parent in the same way that alcohol does or is it just functionally different and what it does or does it not impaired driving?

alcohol is a really good control comparison for that.

>> Doctor, I want to talk about some of the specific studies by helping people a big picture sense of what you are trying to do because you're trying to see how safe cannabis is, how it will work in the real world.

Could you give people a sense of what you're hoping that the center can accomplish?

>> Absolutely.

Our hope is to provide a series of studies that looks the medical benefits and risks of medical cannabis for various health outcome.

So we talked about cancer driving out.

Pans are also interested in lung disease and some different conditions as well.

And so we hope to have a broad portfolio studies to be able to when the funding is out.

>> The center was funded through the General Assembly's budget for 2 year period.

Obviously, that seems like a long time.

But we both know that 2 years really isn't enough for clinical research.

Yeah.

So do you believe you can accomplish all that you hope to in a two-year period?

I hope so.

Do you think that there will be more research to do after a two-year period?

>> There's an endless amount of research to If you look at the list of conditions that people use, medical cannabis for and then compare it to the studies that are out in published in the medical literature.

It's completely unbalanced.

And so there's a life time.

There are several at times of research to to do to answer those questions and address what we need to now.

>> And one of the big questions with cannabis is, of course, a whether to go through the FDA process and you work with that.

You probably have a better sense than most people do.

And so it is medical cannabis, something that you think should go through that process.

>> That's always going to be beneficial to have well controlled trials conducted to understand the harms involved and the benefits and involved so the FDA process cannot hurt.

It is lengthy.

It's a barrier, but for actual medicine, if you want to call something medicine and not just use it for.

Recreational purposes, then the FDA is a very good process in a very appropriate process to go through.

>> We will follow the medical marijuana bill when and if it moves in Frankfort, win the Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes next week.

Now more politics.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan corals is one of 12 Republicans running for Kentucky.

Governor.

I recently sat down with the commissioner to ask him what sets him apart from the other contenders and par one of my interview with Mister Corals.

He says his past experiences have served him well.

>> I feel strong about our chances navigating the primary on May 16th the moving force the fall election.

This will be historic primary, particularly for the Republican Party.

It wasn't long ago we had to beg people run for office and now we have a deep bench.

There's a lot of talent out there.

I feel like we have a path to success because of our grassroots strength of the campaign over 200 elected officials have endorsed us more coming each day.

We're leading with cash on hand.

At the present moment.

And I feel that rule.

Kentucky in urban, Kentucky are uniting behind our common sense.

Let's put Kentucky first unity theme.

I really feel like when I'm out traveling the state that there's P there's an undercurrent out there about the need for Canada and the governor that brings us all together.

>> So wanted to point that you mentioned right there.

First, the endorsements that you've gotten from a lot of Kentucky elected officials.

Do you think that's persuasive to the average Republican Kentucky voter?

>> I think so because everybody knows a local official at home in Kentucky is such a county or you to state, particularly in our rural counties.

People know who the judges are.

The magistrates are.

So we're investing in our local officials and influencers.

I think it's a payoff in a crowded primary.

We think that there may only be 300, maybe 3 to 25,000 total Republicans vote in May.

And so you can walk away with the nomination with 150 125 maybe only 100,000 votes.

And so our campaign is so focused on the grass roots that we feel like in a low voter turnout, crowded primary among friends we have a path to success through our grassroots network.

>> You're already saying low voter turnout.

Do you think that that's how it's going to ban the primary?

Just historically your space?

>> Historically, we've gone back and looked at the numbers on the numbers.

and 15, 11 19.

And so some around 2023%, I think will be a turnout.

Now, there's some things have changed.

Kentucky now has more registered Republicans and registered Democrats.

So that's a historic not to this race.

It's 10 more independents who can't even participate in the price.

>> Mary, that's right.

And a good thing is we've had a lot of folks that want to vote for me.

But for Ryan corals that actually went and changed their party to Republican.

And so we have a lot of folks that are going to show up just because they believe an independent conservative Republican brand that we built upon the past 7 years in office.

So some of those same words, you've said independent Republican conservative brand.

>> Daniel Kahneman, we could probably say the same.

Kelly.

Kraft could probably say the same.

Mike Harmon and Alan Keck.

What's the difference?

Ryan corals.

>> I have experience of 12 years in Frankfort, the past 2 terms of from the second largest executive branch agency in Frankfort.

Only second to the governor's office.

We've cut the budget 5 times.

We're doing more with less.

And so I have the track record to say, look, if we can replicate what we did part Mundt of agriculture for the rest of state government, we're going to be in pretty good shape.

Another thing that my candidacy from among my friends is that I have defeated an incumbent Democrat before.

I'm also a public servant that is known for bringing people together.

I'm also one that has it looked horrible viability.

The think we're going to need to go up against an entrenched in 2019, 117, 220 counties.

I received more votes than that.

A sitting governor did on that night.

And so this may be one of the primaries where a lot of the Republicans need to take seriously the degree of which cast their vote towards who is the most electability against an incumbent.

So that's going to be your measure, your message elect abilities at which are really going to.

>> LB on.

But right now, our message is what vision we have for reflecting or are conversations that are here every single day that it's going to be historic race.

There's only >> 3 states in the country to have a good bit whole race this year.

And so we need a candidate brings us together.

One that has her own identity own brand across the state.

And I think we're starting to see that out in the field.

Our message is really simple.

That partisan politics has cost Kentucky jobs.

It's cost us opportunity.

Our state is too small.

The problems are too big to have a governor.

That does nothing but sue people left and right and I'm going to be a type of government brings people together because as my 2 terms as commissioner of Agriculture to work with over 80 organizations and I had the reputation of bringing people together finding common sense working with the legislature instead of suing the Legislature my 5 years and the Kentucky think are paying off in this race over.

25 legislators have endorsed over one 4th court judge executives.

And so on the type of candidate that wants to work together.

I'm not.

I hope that this is a different role.

Race where we focus on who has the best ideas and not has the biggest insults.

>> You can see part 2 of my interview with the AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles tomorrow night.

When we talk about fundraising and the recent polling that on Kentucky EDITION tomorrow night.

On to other news, some felons and Kentucky can now vote thanks to an executive order signed by Governor Andy Beshear on his 3rd day in office.

But executive orders can be rescinded by the next governor.

And there is a push to make voting rights restoration law.

The Kentucky General Assembly has previously considered bills and the form of a proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to certain felons after they've served their time.

One Kentucky man is hoping that measure can make it over the finish line this time around.

Our Casey Parker Bell travel to Marshall County to speak with a felon who is advocating for voting rights restoration.

>> It's a step toward normalcy.

And sometimes that's all it takes.

Greg Kill Dow is a convicted felon.

He manufactured trafficked and possess methamphetamine.

But he's now clean out of prison and working.

Hoping to get the right to vote.

And it's just to sit here and think like if I think back for 20 years, it's hard for me to believe some decisions I made during a stint in a halfway house filled out with back to school, he earned a degree and decided to put himself to work.

Building a business.

I'm trying to Kentucky better.

We're trying to make jobs for people here.

>> Come down now manages red accessories.

>> We've got a couple pieces drawn is done.

>> It produces windows for utility vehicles when killed out started.

It had just one other employee.

Now it has Tim.

With plans to expect.

>> That's based on this week.

>> Killed out went to Frankfort last fall to make the case in person for voting rights restoration.

>> 2 months from now, I'll complete my Despite the positive steps of taken to rebuild my life as a productive citizen of our commonwealth and the success of found in my career and personal life.

I will not be eligible to vote.

And public polling shows Kentucky INS.

>> I approve of the idea 2021 Mason-Dixon poll showed 67% of voters we're in favor of automatic restoration, but to kill doubt, getting to vote is about more than just entering the vote.

>> We just want to be normal people in society.

If they can just see and just give us one chance.

I think that would tight.

Let's get you right back to vote.

I think it would make him feel better about their cells.

Were they could try to do better like I did.

I think that they had the means to do better like I did.

They would.

And all it takes is somebody in Frankfort during the first steps.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> State representative cut her hair and a Democrat from Louisville has filed House Bill 97.

That measure would restore voting rights to felons 5 years after completion of imprisonment, probation or parole.

And that is a proposed constitutional amendment.

Terry bird whistle has died at the age of 72 bird whistle as the former dean of libraries.

And he was considered the University of Kentucky's historian.

He was acclaimed for his work as an oral historian who interviewed governors, senators, UK presidents and 2 American first ladies.

He was also author or coauthor, 15 books.

♪ >> Like many Cities, Louisville is facing a crisis and homelessness in a post COVID era last week.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced historic investments in the fight to prevent and end homelessness, including the creation of a new medical facility.

And 24 million dollars to create more permanent affordable housing Kentucky additions.

Kelsey Starks sat down with the head of the Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville to break down what it all means.

>> Well, right now in Louisville, shelters are at capacity and there is a lack of or double rental housing.

Natalie Harris is the director for the Coalition for the Homeless.

And she was with Mayor Greenberg when he announced that investment along with other partners last week.

It is a large-scale plan.

Does it meet the needs that you're seeing right now?

>> Well, we are excited about the and what I have been telling people in the community is it's the first step toward what we see as a bigger problem in the community.

>> That has been growing for years.

So we won't address it in one year, but we didn't create a plan that we had presented to the mayor.

We're calling it a new path home and he was able in that announcement to hit on all 4 of the major areas.

And so there's a beginning of each of those.

But we're hopeful that this is just the first step in many steps reaching our goal of ending homelessness here in Louisville.

And it is.

And right now it just it is off the charts and mean, people are really struggling.

And you say that's a combination of.

>> A post COVID the lack of affordable housing in those 2 issues kind of colliding in.

It's not only here, right, right.

This is a nationwide You will definitely see even worse issues on the coasts.

>> Here in Louisville, we're also seeing some increase and we're also seeing a real increase in the cost of rental housing.

So where you used to be able to have a minimum wage job and still be able to have 2 people afford an apartment.

That same family may still be working to wages, but they can't afford that same apartment anymore.

And so more people are falling into homelessness.

How does the mayor's new >> planned address that situation?

So the biggest chunk of money that discuss the other day was to go toward affordable housing.

>> And he is targeting that money for people who make 50% and below of the median income.

So some really low incomes and he's calling on developers across the community to step forward and to build those units with the money that he has put forward.

So it's going to take a village.

It's not says advocates and service providers and the mayor and his administration, but we need businesspeople, folks that are willing donate money to make some of these things happen across the city.

It's going to take all of us to make this happen.

>> Another big part of it is this a new community care center and big chunk of it is that respite care.

Tell us what that means.

Yes.

So we have been looking for years trying to expand which is for people who are too well to stay in hospital.

They've been in the hospital and had their acute care needs met.

But there is no place for them to go because they still have health needs.

There are too great to go live on.

The streets are even in a shelter they need some kind of wound care or they're going through chemotherapy.

They have a class to me bag.

Those kinds of neat needs that they can't take care of themselves, but they don't have a home or a place for somebody to come in and do it for them.

U of L and Norton Hospital came together and said we really want to try to address this need and we want to be able to couple that health need with the need for people who have a mental illness as well, which is something else we've not had.

So we're really excited about being able to see that happen here in Louisville.

And that will be one of the things that will be on that campus.

There's also of other properties on the campus as well.

So there's the opportunity for transitional housing, homeless shelter, serve other services that can be there permanently are people could come on site to provide those services.

So we're looking forward to trying to figure out the best use of that facility and where we will be calling on the community to give us their advice.

So plan to have hearings and also just have the opportunity for people to send their thoughts if they don't want to come in part.

Yeah, it does.

It will take a village as they say.

I thank you so much.

I appreciate you being here.

And again, if you want be involved in the solution, you can stay tuned for that at public education meeting and attend that.

That's coming up Tuesday, February 28th back to you.

>> Thank you, Kelsey.

The community Care campus facility will be in Louisville, Smoke Town neighborhood just east of I-65 providing.

24 7 case management referrals to community resources and temporary housing.

>> President Joe Biden says he'll and that when national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May, 11th.

>> As most of the world has returned closer to normalcy nearly 3 years after they were first declared, the move will formally restructure the federal coronavirus response to treat the virus has an endemic.

The president of the Kentucky Medical Associations says research shows COVID immunization rates are declining.

Doctor Mona Lisa Taylor talked with me recently about the state of the virus and why it's still important to boost your protection against it.

So if you have not had a new COVID vaccine since September 2022.

>> Please go get one.

This is a more specific version of the vaccine.

So as we're looking at COVID, we had the alpha version, the Delta version and then we had Omicron Omicron has been the version of COVID that has lasted all throughout 2022. and it's off to a good start here at 2023.

This latest version of the COVID Bivalent booster covers against the Omicron variant.

That's going to give you up that layer of protection for this year.

So that's my question because I got the bivalent in September.

You know, you are up to up today, but for how long?

So the FDA is actually debating this as we speak.

They had a meeting earlier this week where they spent 8 hours trying to decide what are we going to tell and they're thinking already that it's going to be a yearly vaccine, which I'm honestly quite surprised by.

I figured it was going to be twice a year just to say what I thought, too.

So not have any medical expertise.

That's how it's been going.

So that's how it's been going so far.

So they didn't really come to a lot of conclusions.

But for right now, it's looks like our current bivalent booster is going to be the most up-to-date vaccines get so far.

You can see my full interview with Doctor Mona Lisa Taylor on connections this Sunday at 12 noon Eastern.

11:00AM Central.

♪ >> The 2 Kentucky riders are in the running for a southern book prize.

Silas House of Lexington is a finalist for his book, Lark Ascending.

>> to Limon, who is the current U.S. poet laureate is a finalist for her book.

The Hurting Kind and you can vote by going to Southern bookseller review, Dot Org.

Best of luck to them.

We hope you'll join us tomorrow night for Kentucky edition where you can see part 2 of my interview with AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles and the Kentuckyian he's taken leftover picture frames and turning them into art.

>> We've saves not only the world from a bit of increasing that, but again, it's it's saving some beauty and being able to to share that.

>> Museum bees are made and how they're given broken and banish pieces of art new life.

You don't want to miss that story and much more tomorrow night on Kentucky EDITION.

I'll see you then.

Take good care.