The debate about marijuana or cannabis has been ongoing for decades.

The legalization of marijuana is still a hotly-debated topic, but in recent years, 37 states have passed laws for medical marijuana and, in some cases, even for recreational use.

Two bordering states with Kentucky — West Virginia and Ohio — passed bills for some use of the leafy green plant that has grown wild and been farmed in the region for years.

West Virginia residents can apply for legal medical marijuana cards where they can get some form of cannabis for such ailments as chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease and treatment for cancer to relieve chemotherapy side-effects.

In Ohio, the treatments for illnesses are similar and include Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, seizure disorder and more.

On Thursday, a key Kentucky House committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes (R), cleared the House Judiciary Committee in a 15-1 vote.

The bill, HB 136, introduced in January, would establish a restrictive program prohibiting both home cultivation of marijuana and smoking of cannabis flower. Whole-plant products would be allowed under the bill, but patients would be required to vaporize them.

There are only five medical conditions listed in the legislation where medical marijuana could be approved: cancer at any stage; chronic, severe, intractable or debilitating pain; epilepsy or other seizure disorders; multiple sclerosis; and chronic nausea.

Meanwhile, three Kentucky Democrats have unveiled sweeping bills to end cannabis prohibition. The legislation — SB 186 in the Senate and HB 521 in the House — is dubbed LETT’s Grow, an acronym built of the bill’s main components: Legalizing sales, expunging crimes, treatment through medical use, and taxing of adult-use sales.

Regulatory structure “from seed to sale” would be determined by a new Cannabis Control Board consisting of seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

Proponents of the bill said Kentucky could save millions of dollars from the criminal justice system and create a revenue stream for state and local government.

If passed, the bill would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana in public and 12 ounces in a private space. Sharing up to an ounce of cannabis between adults or patients would also be legal. People legally allowed to possess and use cannabis could grow at home, with up to 10 mature marijuana plants per person. Medical use would be allowed for any medical condition “for which an authorized practitioner believes that a cardholder patient may receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the use of medical cannabis.”

The Bluegrass State is one of just 13 states with total prohibition on both medical and recreational cannabis.

Marijuana is still seen by many as the image of the constant user or “stoner,” which especially started in the 1960s. The stoner stereotype image was reinforced by many throughout the years but has slowly changed, even among some conservatives.

There are many pros of marijuana, according to those who support legalization, and they say the benefits outweigh the cons.

It can boost the economy. Just look at the financial statistics for the state of Colorado.

The marijuana market is enormous. From medical to recreational users, plenty of people are willing to pay good money to purchase their cannabis.

This money could easily be used to boost the economy rather than being put in the pockets of those who may or may not pay taxes.

For those attentive to economic issues, this could be a major game-changer and a way to improve the state’s financial health as more businesses, job opportunities and consumers are allowed to emerge and grow this industry.

Marijuana sales would be subject to the state’s 6 percent sales tax, and local governments could impose a license fee of up to 5 percent. However, counties could opt out of allowing legal marijuana sales.

Legalization will also eliminate most of the “black market” and illegal sale of pot.

Let’s face it. Laws don’t prevent people from using drugs. By legalizing marijuana, purchasing the drug no longer has to be an illegal ordeal.

Citizens with medical issues that go through the legal process of obtaining a marijuana card, and have a prescription from a physician, can legally purchase marijuana. This way, obtaining the drug for medical conditions can be more transparent.

Marijuana is arguably one of the least harmful of all illegal substances. It doesn’t have any fatal side effects that many other illicit drugs carry. However, because it is illegal, many people have gone to jail for possession or use of the substance. This takes up space in prisons for the people facing more serious charges.

There are still those who will be against marijuana in any case for medical or recreational usage.

During the last few years, marijuana has witnessed an image shift in the mindset of Americans.

In states where it’s legal, medical marijuana is emerging as one of the fastest non-conventional medicines.

Even though possessing, processing and using marijuana in any form is illegal at the federal level, the use of medical CBD, a chemical compound of cannabis, can be purchased at about any convenience store or gas station these days.

It is time for Kentucky to move forward and away from the past stereotype about marijuana.

There are always pros and cons. However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, slowly leading more states to push laws that legalize this natural herb.

HB 136 goes to the full House floor this week. Hopefully, Kentucky will pass it and help lead the rest of the nation to do the same.