Beshear announced Thursday that the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program will begin accepting license applications for medical marijuana businesses starting Monday, July 1, six months ahead of the original schedule.

Businesses interested in growing, processing, or selling medical marijuana in Kentucky can begin applying for permits as part of an expedited effort to have products available by early 2025. Businesses can apply for licenses until the end of August.

The aim is to have some medical marijuana available in January when the products become legal.

Starting January 1, patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea, or post-traumatic stress disorder can begin the process of applying for medical marijuana cards.

“The Beshear administration is committed to ensuring Kentuckians with qualifying medical conditions have safe, affordable access to medical cannabis,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander.

Doctors and nurses can also start applying to certify eligible patients for medical marijuana.

The program has released a series of YouTube webinars, a Business Licensing Application Guide, and other materials to assist applicants throughout the process. All of these are available on Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis website.

“The program is focused on ensuring cannabis business licensing is fair, transparent and customer-service oriented,” said Sam Flynn, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.