AN ACT relating to the regulation of cannabis-infused beverages.
Summary
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 243 to allow the holder of a cannabis-infused beverage retail package license and a cannabis-infused beverage distributor's license to sell and serve cannabis-infused beverages at bars, restaurants, fairs, and festivals; allow the holder of a cannabis-infused beverage manufacturer license approved by the Department for Public Health to sell and serve cannabis-infused beverages at fairs and festivals; limit the sampling size of cannabis-infused beverages to 12 ounces per person, per day; create a nonquota cannabis-infused beverage supplemental drink license; establish the conditions upon which a nonquota cannabis-infused beverage supplemental drink license may be issued; allow the holder of a special temporary license, special Sunday retail drink license, catererâs license, hotel in-room license, entertainment destination center license, limited restaurant license, limited golf course license, and qualified historic site license to serve cannabis-infused beverages; allow a cannabis-infused beverage retail package license, a cannabis-infused beverage distributor's license, or a cannabis-infused beverage manufacturer's license approved by the Department for Public Health to obtain a sampling license; amend KRS 243.401 to add to the list of licensees that are eligible to sell cannabis-infused beverages; amend KRS 243.028 to establish labeling requirements for shipped packages that contain cannabis-infused beverages; amend KRS 189.530 to define "open cannabis-infused beverage container"; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 243 to conform; EMERGENCY.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 23, 2026
Last action Mar 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Current/Final
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered and streamlined to remove redundant language regarding the sale of cannabis-infused beverages at bars and restaurants, which was previously listed under a retail package license. The text now clearly distinguishes between the 'distributor' license (which handles sales at bars/restaurants) and the 'manufacturer' license (which handles sales at fairs and festivals). Additionally, the rules for issuing supplemental drink licenses were expanded to include a wider variety of existing alcohol licenses, such as caterers and entertainment centers, and the sampling limits were clarified to specify exact ounce allowances for different beverage types.
Scope change
The bill's scope was refined to separate the authority of distributors from manufacturers regarding where they can sell beverages, and the eligibility for supplemental drink licenses was broadened to include more types of alcohol retailers.
ELIGIBILITY
Removed the provision allowing cannabis-infused beverage retail package license holders to sell and serve beverages at bars and restaurants, as this authority was moved to the distributor license.
Added a new category of licensees eligible for supplemental cannabis-infused beverage drink licenses, including caterers, entertainment destination centers, limited restaurants, golf courses, and historic sites.
REQUIREMENT
Updated the sampling rules to specify exact daily limits for different beverages (e.g., 12 ounces for malt beverages and cannabis-infused beverages) and clarified that brewers can sample at retailer premises.
TECHNICAL
Reorganized the bill structure and removed duplicate section headers and page footers to create a cleaner, final version.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026
How they voted
29–13
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 44
Mar 20, 2026
D
Democratic6
83% Yea
R
Republican38
63% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Mar 20, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 25-11 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (3) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendment (2-title) filed to bill
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
to Licensing & Occupations (S)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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