KRS § 218B.035 — KY Code / Title XVIII / Chapter 218B / Section 218B.035
218B.035 Criminal prosecution and disciplinary actions not precluded -- Driving under the influence
Status: in_force

218B.035 Criminal prosecution and disciplinary actions not precluded -- Driving

under the influence.

(1) This chapter does not authorize any person to engage in, and shall not prevent the

imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties, including but not limited to

criminal prosecution or disciplinary action by the cabinet or an occupational or

professional licensing board, for engaging in the following conduct:

(a) Operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any aircraft,

vehicle, vessel, or any other device known, or hereafter invented, that is

powered by machinery and that is or may be used to transport persons or

property while under the influence of medicinal cannabis;

(b) Consuming medicinal cannabis while operating, navigating, or being in actual

physical control of an aircraft, vehicle, vessel, or any other device known, or

hereafter invented, that is powered by machinery and that is or may be used to

transport persons or property;

(c) Possessing medicinal cannabis that is within the operator's arm's reach or

requires less than a two (2) step process to access while operating, navigating,

or being in actual physical control of an aircraft, vehicle, vessel, or any other

device known, or hereafter invented, that is powered by machinery and that is

or may be used to transport persons or property;

(d) Undertaking any task under the influence of medicinal cannabis, when doing

so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice;

(e) Possessing medicinal cannabis, or otherwise engaging in the use of medicinal

cannabis:

1. On the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school, except

as permitted in accordance with policies enacted pursuant to KRS

218B.045(4);

2. In any correctional facility; or

3. On any property of the federal government;

(f) Using marijuana, if that person is not a registered qualified patient or visiting

qualified patient;

(g) Using or consuming marijuana by smoking;

(h) Using or consuming marijuana by vaping while on any form of public

transportation, in any public place as defined in KRS 525.010, or in any place

of public accommodation, resort, or amusement as defined in KRS 344.130;

or

(i) Cultivating marijuana unless that person is licensed by the cabinet as a

cannabis cultivator or cannabis producer pursuant to KRS 218B.080,

218B.085, and 218B.090 or is a cultivator or producer agent.

(2) The penalty for a violation of subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section shall be the

same as those established for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of

alcohol or any other substance in KRS 189A.010.

(3) (a) An individual who violates subsection (1)(g) or (h) of this section shall not be

considered to be in possession of medicinal cannabis or engaged in the use of

medicinal cannabis and shall not benefit from the legal protections afforded

by this chapter.

(b) The odor or smell of uncombusted raw plant material shall not constitute

evidence of use or consumption of cannabis by smoking.

(c) If an individual uses or consumes marijuana by smoking or vaping while on

any form of public transportation, in any public place as defined in KRS

525.010, or in any place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement as

defined in KRS 344.130:

1. The cabinet may revoke the individual's registry identification card; and

2. The individual may be subject to prosecution under KRS 218A.1421

and 218A.1422.

(4) Nothing in this chapter supersedes statutory laws relating to driving while under the

influence of intoxicants. This chapter shall not prevent the enforcement of current

laws pertaining to driving while intoxicated, including KRS 183.061, 189.520,

189A.010, and 235.240.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) "Aircraft" has the same meaning as in KRS 183.011;

(b) "Vehicle" has the same meaning as in KRS 189.010; and

(c) "Vessel" has the same meaning as in KRS 235.010.