Governor Andy Beshear, along with Sam Flynn, the executive director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, have revealed important measures to expedite access to medical cannabis for eligible individuals in Kentucky.
During his Team Kentucky Update on Thursday, the Governor announced that 15 regulations have been filed to implement the new medical cannabis program, detailing how businesses will operate and how qualifying Kentuckians can become card holders.
He emphasized that they have worked diligently to create a safe system that minimizes abuse while still offering relief to individuals with specific medical conditions.
After addressing concerns about the purchase date and business licensing timeline for medical cannabis with the General Assembly, Beshear announced that he signed House Bill 829 on Wednesday, moving up the process by six months from the original start date of January 1, 2025.
Under these new regulations, he said businesses can begin applying for a cannabis business license beginning July 1, 2024, through August 31, 2024.
click to download audioFurthermore, Gov. Beshear announced that medical cannabis licensing will be issued by using the lottery system.
Executive Director Sam Flynn of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program stressed the need for cannabis business licensing to prioritize stability, sustainability, and small businesses while meeting cardholder demand.
click to download audioTo ensure patient access, Flynn highlighted the need for dispensaries to be conveniently located near Kentucky cardholders. He said the state’s program has created eleven medical cannabis dispensary licensing regions in partnership with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Commonwealth Office of Technology to minimize drive times for patients.
click to download audioHe encouraged all potential business license applicants to review the application licensing regulations that were filed Thursday.
More information can be found on kymedcan.ky.gov.
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