APPLICATIONS PERIOD FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESSES WANTING TO GET LICENSED FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS STARTS ON MONDAY, JULY 1
JULY 1, 20224 – written by WADE QUEEN
Kentucky businesses interested in selling, processing or growing medical marijuana are able to apply for permits starting on Monday, July 1.
It comes as part of state lawmakers’ efforts to speed up the timeline for legal medical cannabis in the Commonwealth. Governor Andrew Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law this past April 2024, moving up the licensing process’ start date and creating the Office of Medical Cannabis.
The licensing process’ July 1 start date now comes six months before medical cannabis is legalized on January 1, 2025.
In April, it was announced that a lottery would decide what businesses would be granted those permits. The system will limit forty-eight (48) dispensary licenses spread mostly evenly through eleven (11) regions.
The regions surrounding Lexington and Louisville are eligible for six (6) licenses, while the remaining are eligible for four (4) licenses.
Ten (10) licenses for cannabis growers and sixteen (16) licenses for cultivators will also be issued.
The state is accepting applications from businesses through August 31. The first state lottery is scheduled for this October.
Those eligible for medical cannabis treatment include those with cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, chronic nausea, cyclical vomiting syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.
