The window for businesses wanting to participate in Kentucky’s medical cannabis program will be closing soon. Here’s where things stand with application numbers.
After the application period commenced in July and as at early this week, Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) said it had received 176 applications from interested parties. The breakdown:
- 129 dispensary applications.
- 33 for cultivation.
- 12 for processing.
- 2 applications from testing labs.
No doubt more will come in before the application period closes at the end of this month. Prospects will be entered into a lottery for one (or more) of 74 licenses that will be initially available; being:
- 16 cultivators.
- 10 processors.
- 48 dispensaries.
However, there is no cap on the number of licenses for testing labs. But with only two applications so far, it would seem Kentucky won’t be spoilt for choice when it comes to testing facilities; and that could be problematic.
As to when licenses will be awarded, that’s expected to occur in October. One of the tricky issues for license hopefuls is whether local regulators will allow cannabusinesses to operate within their jurisdictions; which means they may not be able to set up shop where their first preference is. Some Kentucky jurisdictions are putting the issue in front of voters in November.
While Kentuckians wait for locally grown and produced medicines to become available, there are interim arrangements in place. In November 2022, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order allowing patients with eligible medical conditions to possess and use small amounts of cannabis medicinally. That order came into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Governor issued the order out of frustration with the slow pace of Kentucky legislators in legalizing medical cannabis. This action helped motivate legislators to get something in front of the Governor to sign.
Legislation for Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program regulating the cultivation, production, sale and use of products was finally signed by Governor Beshear in March 2023, and will officially come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. In addition to eligible conditions under the Executive Order, the General Assembly has been asked to add another 15 conditions; including severe arthritis, neuropathies and terminal illness.
