In first Republican gubernatorial debate, Cameron says he could sign a medical-cannabis bill with 'a framework that is responsible'

Candidates who debated, clockwise from upper left:
Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, Attorney General Daniel
Cameron, state Auditor Mike Harmon, Commissioner
of Agriculture Ryan Quarles (Spectrum News image)

By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Tuesday night that he could sign a medical-marijuana bill as governor if it law-enforcement and medical experts "can get around a framework that is responsible."

Cameron was one of four Republican candidates for governor who appeared in the first debate of the race, held in Louisville by Spectrum News, a cable-television service.

When Cameron ran for attorney general four years ago he was "absolutely" against medical marijuana, Nick Storm of Kentucky Fried Politics noted in his post-debate analysis for Spectrum. Then, he was the candidate of law enforcement, but now polls show overwhelming voter support for medical cannabis, Storm noted.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, who came out for medical cannabis a week earlier, said whatever law the state had needs "a very narrow framework."

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said he "came out with this policy position months ago," and said it is "another example of Kentucky lagging behind. . . . We need to get the Senate on board and get it done.”

The Senate has not taken up medical-cannabis bills that the House has passed in two legislative sessions.

State Auditor Mike Harmon, who answered the question last, said "I'm not there yet, but I am open to discussion."

The debate did not include former United Nations ambassador Kelly Craft, who declined the invitation from Spectrum and the Jefferson County Republican Party, which co-sponsored the event.

The debate dealt with other health issues,so this story will be udpdated.