Recent editorials from Kentucky newspapers:
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Feb. 25
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The Bowling Green Daily News on a medical marijuana bill facing the Senate:
We believe that people who are suffering from terminal illnesses that cause immense pain should have options to help mitigate that pain.
No one with a terminal illness should have to live out the remainder of his or her life in pain. Forcing a person to endure such discomfort is simply inhumane, which is why more options should be available for the gravely ill to help ease their pain in their darkest times.
We believe that the use of medical marijuana helps some of those who are dealing with immense pain as a result of diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and leukemia and other health issues.
Thirty-three other states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. We believe they did so because they, like us, believe that medical marijuana helps people battling these diseases. While we are not in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use across the state, we are in favor of allowing medical marijuana.
For years, some Kentucky legislators have introduced legislation to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, only for it to be voted down. Now, after years of setbacks, it looks like it is gaining momentum after recently clearing the state House by a vote of 65-30.
The proposal now goes to the Senate, where it appears it might face a little tougher challenge than it did in the House.
Senate President Robert Stivers told reporters on Feb. 20 that he believes the measure has a “narrow path” to Senate passage, the Courier Journal reported. He raised concerns about the lack of conclusive studies by federal entities such as the Food and Drug Administration.
If ultimately passed and signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear, the legislation would allow doctors to prescribe cannabis and set up a regulatory framework for patients to obtain it at approved dispensaries. Smoking medical cannabis would not be permitted under the bill. It could be consumed in forms such as pills and oils.
Under the bill, a regulatory board would determine what conditions would qualify for doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients. The House amended the bill to guarantee that the approved conditions for a marijuana prescription would include chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and nausea or vomiting.
State Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, the bill’s lead sponsor, put it best when he said: “This is not about fun. This is about healing. This is about health.”
We agree with Nemes. Some have argued that this legislation is a gateway to legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. We wholeheartedly disagree that this is an attempt to legalize recreational marijuana usage, and if it ever came to that, this newspaper would be firmly against it. We believe this legislation is an attempt to give people battling life-threatening and terminal illnesses a chance to live out their time on this earth with as little pain as possible.
This is why we urge the Senate to pass this bill, so that those suffering from terminal illnesses can live their limited time in a lot less pain in situations where medical marijuana would be a benefit.
Online: https://www.bgdailynews.com
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Feb. 20
The Somerset Commonwealth Journal on a proposed constitutional amendment that would put limits on governors’ pardon powers:
As former Gov. Matt Bevin closed out his term, he snubbed his nose at Kentucky crime victims by issuing hundreds of pardons — many of them to people who were incarcerated for serious crimes, including child rape.
That sent a very bad message to the nation about how Kentucky views crime and victims of crime.
The Kentucky General Assembly seems to want to repair that injustice during this session with some legislation that shows a little respect for those affected by criminal acts.
The first measure looks to reverse the potential damage that people like Bevin can do as they leave the office of governor.
A legislative panel gave initial approval on Feb. 19 to a proposed constitutional amendment to put limits on a governor’s power to grant pardons or commute sentences.
The measure cleared the Senate State and Local Government Committee. It would amend the state’s constitution to strip a governor of pardon powers for the month leading up to a gubernatorial election and for the time between the election and inauguration.
After Bevin’s antics as he left Frankfort, it’s something that’s needed.
“If a governor believes strongly enough in a pardon, he or she can stand in front of the voters, or have their party stand in front of the voters, to decide their opinion of those actions,” Sen. Chris McDaniel, the bill’s sponsor, said. “There will be no more hiding in the darkness of the last minutes of an administration.”
The second measure re-introduces Marsy’s Law to Kentucky voters.
Marsy’s Law would guarantee crime victims constitutional protections, including the right to be notified of all court proceedings, the right to be present for those hearings, and the right to be heard in any hearing involving an offender’s release, plea, or sentencing.
Voters in 2018 approved the constitutional amendment for Marsy’s Law with 63 percent support, but the measure was voided by the Kentucky Supreme Court last year because the question on the ballot was too vague.
State Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County is sponsoring the bill again in this year’s legislative session. Westerfield said he’s committed to putting the question before voters again this year and correcting the “imbalance of justice.”
It passed out of the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday.
“It is important to understand that Kentucky’s Supreme Court made no ruling on the substance of Marsy’s Law. And, despite the setback, the energy behind Marsy’s Law remains strong with victim advocates, notable organizations, and my fellow legislators from across the Commonwealth,” Westerfield said.
“I am very pleased that Marsy’s Law passed out of committee today and look forward to the next steps to ensure this important amendment is back on the ballot for Kentucky voters in November,” Westerfield added. “I thank my colleagues in the Senate, as well as the numerous supporters throughout the state who have offered their unwavering support thus far. I am excited to continue our work together to make Marsy’s Law a reality here in Kentucky.”
Kentucky is one of 15 states without constitutional protections for crime victims. The accused and convicted have many rights codified in the state Constitution, but crime victims have only statutory protections.
We applaud our state legislators for moving to rectify this imbalance.
Online: https://www.somerset-kentucky.com
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Feb. 18
The Daily Independent on cracking down on bullying in schools:
A high school junior mustered the courage to stand up at a school board meeting and be a voice for cyberbullying targets on Feb. 17.
Her actions should be commended.
The young lady decided she’d endured enough, and she picked a proper time and place to be seen and heard.
If society doesn’t get serious about cyberbullying, it will become an unmanageable monster that sink its teeth into countless vulnerable young people. And the results can be devastating.
It’s a good thing this particular young lady channeled her emotions and rose above her fears to confront the problem head-on.
Did the school do the same?
Cyberbullying, according to dictionary.com, is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
A document entitled “Petition to murk,” according to the victim and her family, was created by four girls and a boy on one of the school’s Chromebooks.
Though it was deleted, it was recovered. School officials disputed the nature of the document, saying it was actually a list of “things people don’t like about you.”
Let’s say it was the latter. No matter what age or gender you are, can you imagine laying your eyes on such a list? It would hurt. Now, imagine being a high school female in this day and time. Such a list would absolutely crush you.
If it was, in fact, a “petition to murk,” that’s essentially a list of reasons why one should commit suicide.
Two things need to happen. The first is the truth must be confessed. Why would this high school junior humiliate herself to fabricate such a story? If this indeed was a document suggesting suicide, it’s imperative that school officials say so, because this could prevent something like this from happening in the future.
The punishment must be severe.
It’s common for any school to not divulge the extent of that discipline or release names of those who are guilty, but in order to send a clear message in this instance - and send a clear message in the fight against cyberbullying or any other form of bullying - it should set an example by revealing the severity of the punishment. It surely doesn’t need to release names, but the punishment should be made public in order to avoid more of these instances.
Bullying is serious. When those bullies disparage someone’s life, reducing its worth to a few damning lines on a Chromebook screen, it can’t be taken lightly.
This school must hold its students accountable for their actions.
Good for this student, who is holding her school accountable for its actions.
Online: https://www.dailyindependent.com
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