Kentucky’s first medical cannabis dispensary has been approved says the state’s Governor, Andy Beshear.
The Post Dispensary in Beaver Dam expected to open its doors this fall – so within the next few months. Beaver Dam is a small community situated in Ohio County at the junction of U.S. Routes 62 and 231.
According to the dispensary’s management, the business will first be holding a “Patient Drive Event” on August 9 for a meet and greet, evaluations and medical cannabis education; but medicines won’t be available. When eventually opening for business, The Post Dispensary will be offering a selection of flower (for vaporization), concentrates, edibles, vapes, and more; and will be serving surrounding communities such as Hartford, McHenry, Centertown and Windy Hill as well as Beaver Dam.
“This is another step forward as we work to ensure Kentuckians with serious medical conditions have access to the medicine they need and deserve,” stated Governor Beshear.
As for the location and timing of opening of other dispensaries, Governor Beshear launched a new online directory in May this year.
To access medical cannabis in the state, patients must first have a consultation with a registered medical cannabis practitioner who will evaluate the patient’s condition and issue a written certification if the patient qualifies. Patients then need to apply for a medical cannabis card, which costs $25.
More than 16,000 Kentuckians have been certified by licensed practitioners so far, and more than 11,500 already have state-issued cards.
The dispensary announcement comes just few weeks after cultivation of the first legal medical cannabis plants in the state kicked off in Mayfield. According to Louisville Public Media, Armory Kentucky imported 2,600 mature plants from an undisclosed location that will be ready for harvest in two months.
It’s been a long road to this point, but could have been much longer if Governor Beshear hadn’t taken additional action. Frustrated with the slow pace of the program’s development, in 2022 he signed an Executive Order that enabled residents with certain medical conditions to possess and use small amounts of cannabis from January 2023.
When sales officially commence in the state, it’s expected there won’t be enough product available to meet the demand for at least a year and possibly 18 months.
