An unprecedented leap forward in making medical marijuana legal in Kentucky as a measure is green lighted to the full Senate.

Similar attempts in previous years have passed the House twice, only to be blocked in the upper chamber.

A narrowly tailored measure sponsored by Senate Republican Stephen West allows medical marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions, including cancer, chronic and debilitating pain, epilepsy or seizure disorders.

Multiple sclerosis, chronic nausea and PTSD and other medical conditions or diseases.

The Kentucky Center for Cannabis finds appropriate that began tonight's legislative update.

Now, here's more of what Senate Bill 47 requires.

Users must apply for get approved and keep a written verification card.

The cabinet for Health and Family Services would monitor and oversee the program.

It would take effect January 1st, 2025.

A person under 18 cannot acquire, possess or buy medicinal marijuana without assistance from a caregiver.

No smoking of marijuana would be allowed.

And there are licenses for cultivators, dispensaries and producers.

In 1994, at age 22, Eric Crawford of Mason County survived a major car wreck that changed his life.

With his neck broken and three places.

He became a quadriplegic and he's as he's done for ten years, he's testified about how medical cannabis helps ease his pain.

Here I am again for the 10th year as Kentucky's state capital, where to try to get medical cannabis legal for sick people.

Medical cannabis relaxes my continuous, uncontrollable, violent muscle spasms.

Medical cannabis relieves by constant, never ending pain.

Cannabis helps me.

I've been crippled for almost 30 years.

I know what is best for me.

I don't want to be high.

I just want to feel better.

But the reality is that there is insufficient scientific evidence that marijuana is an effective pain relieving agent or that it is safe and effective as a medication.

That is why the Family Foundation has acknowledged the need for additional research into the potential medicinal properties of marijuana and has advocated for the FDA to ensure timely research.

While the majority of states have enacted so-called medical marijuana, those decisions have been political and lacked a careful science tiff evaluation of the benefits and risks of marijuana's use.

An unexpected supporter of the measure registered a yes vote on the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Damien Thayer, a Georgetown Republican, had long opposed medical marijuana.

He said today he was casting a vote for those who suffer.

I vote yes, but and I want to explain my vote.

I have been a long time opponent of legislation relating to marijuana.

I came into this body 20 years ago with a strong set of core beliefs.

I grew up in the 1980s during a very strong anti-drug culture.

If you're a pot smoker and you're looking for me to help get the camel's nose under the tent so you can smoke your pot legally in Kentucky, I'm not your guy.

But I believe Senator West has done a fantastic job limiting the number of afflictions that medical cannabis can be used for.

This narrowly focused approach has got my vote.

On an 8 to 3 vote.

Senate Bill 47 advanced from a Senate committee the first time a medical marijuana legalization measure had done so and now awaits action by the full Senate.

Last year, Governor Andy Beshear, through executive action, allowed Kentuckians with certification from a licensed health care provider to use medical cannabis for certain conditions if bought legally in other states.