In his last Team Kentucky update before the New Year, Governor Andy Beshear outlined status of the state’s medical marijuana program.
Last Thursday, the Governor said the state has licensed or selected all of its medical cannabis businesses in preparation for the launch of the program, which will begin accepting applications for medical cannabis cards on January 1, 2025.
Before applying, patients will need to obtain an electronic written certification from an authorized practitioner – something they can do right now. More than 220 doctors and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNS) have been authorised to write certifications for patients with qualifying medical conditions.
Kentuckians can visit KYMedCan to find a practitioner nearest them, or to search by specialty. Via that website, doctors and nurses interested in registering to authorize patients can sign up for a webinar that will walk them through the process of registration.
“I’m very pleased to announce that as of today many Kentuckians have already showed an incredible interest since December 1st of 2024,” Governor Beshear said.
Since the beginning of the month, more than 1,800 Kentuckians have visited a registered practitioner and received written certifications. As at December 18, the number of written certifications per qualifying condition:
- Cancer: 142
- Chronic pain: 1,374
- Chronic nausea: 88
- Multiple sclerosis: 216
- PTSD: 599
- Seizure disorder: 61
Note that written certifications can be provided for more than 1 qualifying condition.
“I’ve been really proud of the work that’s gone in,” stated Governor Beshear. “We are going to have a highly regulated system that is going to ensure that those that qualify are able to get the help that they need, but to prevent any abuses of the system at the same time.”
The Governor said further updates would be provided as businesses get up and running, but assured Kentuckians his existing executive order protects those with qualifying conditions from prosecution if they purchase medical marijuana from another state.
Frustrated with the lack of action on the part of the state’s lawmakers, in 2022 Governor Beshear signed an executive order allowing residents with certain medical conditions to possess and use small amounts of medical cannabis from January 1, 2023. His move lit a fire under lawmakers and Senate Bill 47 was signed into law in early April last year, which legalized medical cannabis in the Commonwealth. Next was the major task of setting up the program.
“We are really close folks and it is a long time coming, but I’m excited that we’re doing it and doing it right,” said the Governor on Thursday.
