You have to wonder if Republican leaders across the state grow tired and weary of Senator Dan Seum and his family. Yes, he was the party switcher that gave Republicans control of the State Senate for the first time in history, but at what cost?
In 2004, Seum’s daughter, Dana Seum-Stephenson, won the election in an adjoining State Senate district but, after much legal-wrangling, was declared ineligible as she was a resident of Indiana, not Kentucky.
In 2017, Dan Seum, Jr., a marijuana advocate, was banned from Annex offices after he made “racially-charged” comments in front of an African-American LRC employee.
(As a sidebar, how much hubris does it take for a man to name both his son and daughter after himself? Dan, Jr. and Dana? Geez!)
Now, today, Senator Seum publicly advocated for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, as did several other legislators. Seum took it a step further though when he took to the Senate floor with remarks of support, including his admission of smoking marijuana to aid with the effects of chemotherapy.
The last we knew, popular or not, possession of marijuana is still illegal in Kentucky. In fact, KRS 218A.1422 (2) reads:
Possession of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, except that, KRS Chapter 532 to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum term of incarceration shall be no greater than forty-five (45) days.
It’s not often that a sitting legislator openly admits to misdemeanors during floor remarks. Which, has some wondering if that could in fact be an impeachable offense? Kentucky’s statutes set out the ways to impeach an elected official, including the listing of misdemeanors in the petition.
Will an anti-drug organization such as The Family Foundation of Kentucky file impeachment proceedings against Senator Seum now that he has self-incriminated? Would the House take it up? Would the Senate convict? Stay tuned!
Inside The Connector 