Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that the state's medical cannabis program has passed the halfway point toward full dispensary operation, with 41 licensed businesses now running and more than 25,209 patients approved for medical cannabis cards.
Kentucky medical cannabis program passes halfway mark on dispensary openings, Beshear says
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that the state's medical cannabis program has passed the halfway point toward full dispensary operation, with 41 licensed businesses now running and more than 25,209 patients approved for medical cannabis cards.
Beshear made the remarks at a press briefing after attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a medical marijuana cultivation business. He said the state currently has 11 cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, five processors, and 23 dispensaries open, with a 24th — Blue Sage Dispensary in Lebanon — planning to open on Friday.
The governor signed medical cannabis legalization legislation in 2023, which took effect at the beginning of last year. The state's first medical cannabis dispensary opened in December of that year. More than 490 practitioners are now registered to issue certifications, Beshear said.
In June, Beshear issued an executive order expanding the list of qualifying health conditions by 15 disorders, including Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and glaucoma, after the legislature declined to act on a similar proposal during the session. He also rescinded a 2022 executive order that had offered pardons to patients who purchased cannabis legally in neighboring states.
House Majority Whip Jason Nemes (R) subsequently asked Attorney General Russell Coleman (R) to direct state agencies not to cooperate with the governor's expansion order, calling it unlawful. During a legislative committee hearing, Nemes said any licensee participating in what he termed the unlawful expansion should be prosecuted.
In January, Beshear said he was 'not satisfied' with the pace of the program's launch but anticipated that patient access would 'pick up significantly' in 2026. He signed a separate executive order waiving card renewal fees for patients in recognition of the delayed rollout. During the November 2024 election, more than 100 Kentucky cities and counties approved local ordinances permitting medical cannabis businesses.
- The source does not state whether Attorney General Russell Coleman responded to Nemes's request or took any action regarding the governor's executive order.
- The source does not state the total number of dispensary licenses issued or what figure constitutes 'fully operational,' beyond the implication that 23 of some larger number are currently open.
- The source does not state the legal basis Beshear cited for the executive order expanding qualifying conditions, nor the specific legal grounds Nemes cited in calling it unlawful.
- The source does not state the outcome of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services hearing on allowing terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals.
- The source does not state how many of the more than 100 cities and counties that approved local ordinances in November 2024 have since seen dispensaries open.
Read the original at Marijuana Moment